The Serpent's Song

by S. Robertson

  “Get Wolfram into the next unit at once,” ordered Myttrwn. His command bringing other attendants. “Put the other two in the following units, they’re all needing therapy.”

  Within minutes, Dylan arrived with Vette in a floating cubicle. Morgan followed in another. The dogs were running beside the floating cubicles. On a separate cubicle came the remains of Skylar, which Myttrwn ordered transported to his personal lab. With a single verbal command, Myttrwn caused the three robotic dogs to take up positions outside their owner’s unit and shut down.

  After Sirona and Myttrwn made sure Wolfram, Vette and Morgan were stabilized they met with the rest of the Gaia team who were standing around anxious to hear the prognosis of their colleagues.

  “How’s Angi?” asked a worried Andrew, knowing she was the worst off.

  “I’ll be honest with you,” replied Myttrwn, “Although, Skylar tried to protect her, Angi still received a major blow from the laser and is in critical condition. I expect she was already exhausted from the effort of getting them through the pyramid, and was likely unable to achieve the protection needed. It may take days before I can tell you more. The other three have not only been grazed by a laser but they have also sustained some physical injury which Angi has healed; Vette a leg wound, Morgan a head wound, and Wolfram an injury to his wrist. It will take time to assess their mental state. Nevertheless, they should take less time to heal.” Then looking at the anxious faces in front of him he added, “I expect any comment to have you return to your residence would be pointless.”

  “True,” replied Andrew, “Bryce and I intend staying on and will keep watch until Vette, Wolfram and Morgan have recovered and there is more positive news on Angi. We’ll take shifts.”

  “We’re sticking close as well,” replied Dylan, “I’m uncomfortable with Zolar floating in that adjacent unit to Angi and we’re still unsure if he was working with others. These four are not getting out of our protection again.”

  Myttrwn admired their loyalty and determination and telepathically said to Sirona, “So be it. Let’s make the necessary arrangements. This could take days. I’m equally uncomfortable with Zolar in the same area but he’s unconscious and will remain so until there’s word of his trial.” He had hardly finished speaking to Sirona when he heard a commotion along the corridor and went to investigate.

  Walking towards him was the Queen and her retinue, she was saying to Myttrwn as she approached, “I’m here to find out for myself the condition of these four individuals. I hear that Angi has been badly injured.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” replied Myttrwn, “They are all in our therapy units and are stable at this point. Angi is critical.”

  The Queen went to Angi’s unit and stood for a few minutes before speaking, “Is that blood on her uniform?”

  “Yes,” replied Sirona, standing close to her mother, “Her companions encountered major injuries in the pyramid which she healed. All four were also hit by the laser attack.”

  “I see,” replied the Queen in a voice that dripped of her displeasure. “Myttrwn, you informed me that you would have a detailed record of what happened in the pyramid. I wish to see it at once,” demanded the Queen.

  “Very well, Your Majesty,” replied Myttrwn, “It will take me a few minutes to set up.”

  “I’ll wait,” said the Queen, separating herself and Sirona to speak quietly about the situation. Her retinue moved to one side of the corridor and waited.

  Myttrwn gave a verbal command to Dusky, Wolfram’s dog, which instantly awakened and walked over to Myttrwn. “Come with me to my lab. Each dog was equipped with a camera. We can see one version from Dusky. Later I’ll combine the images for a more complete review.”

  “May we go as well?” asked Andrew.

  “Yes, bring as many as you can spare but leave your security in place,” suggested the Queen. “Myttrwn, make sure the rest of the Gaia members and any others in our kingdom have a viewing. I want as many as possible to understand what happened. There will be no secrets when Zolar is tried for this crime.”

  Myttrwn’s attendants had arranged as many chairs as possible in his restricted lab for the viewing, some decided to stand.

  On a wide screen they watched a silent portrayal of the journey the four had experienced in the pyramid, Myttrwn asking periodically if the Queen would like it speeded up so they would get the essence of the ordeal without sitting through the full amount of time. Nevertheless, hours passed. It ended with the chamber of snakes, the snow and finally Chamber Seven.

  The Queen stood as if to leave and hesitated, turning to the gathered audience she said, “I would like to inform our Gaia guests that the pyramid in our culture is intended to test our students not to kill them. This is a horrendous demonstration of this important aspect in our lives. Before too many days pass, I will get Sirona and Myttrwn to explain to you the extremes to which Zolar has corrupted this process. We shall talk again.” And on that she left the room.

  Andrew and those able to attend the first showing were aghast at what they had seen, and impressed with the ingenuity and tenacity of their team. They returned to the treatment centre to relieve the others for the next viewing determined they would all see the combined images when they were available.

  Andrew speaking to Bryce before he left for the viewing, said, “We shall be forever grateful to Sirona and Myttrwn and their swift preparation of Angi, Vette, Wolfram and Morgan. Without that this would surely have been a disaster. I’m not underestimating Angi’s skills, they were essential. In addition, we were blessed by Myttrwn’s genius in having these dogs wired to record what was happening. I would expect the dogs have been wired for much more. When you’ve viewed the material we’ll talk again.”

  By the end of the second day Vette, Wolfram, Morgan had been released from the therapy units and joined their colleagues waiting for Angi to recover. Curious, they also took time to see the viewing and provided additional comments on some of the details. Watching the event proved overwhelming at times as by then they realized Angi’s contribution to their survival. While waiting, Sirona enlisted Vette to gather up the uniforms and belts and got the three back into their former attire. Myttrwn, also activated the dogs, realizing the bond established in their ordeal. This resulted at times in a rather crowded corridor of people and dogs.

  The third day passed with little change in Angi’s prognosis. It was evident that Myttrwn and Sirona were growing anxious over the slowness of her recovery.

  Late the third night Andrew arrived for his shift to find Wolfram and Dusty still sitting in front of Angi’s unit, the same place they had been hours before. “You still here?” asked Andrew. “Why not take a break. Get some rest. I’ll come and get you if there’s any change.”

  “I’ll stick around,” replied Wolfram. Waiting before his next comment, he said, “You know Andrew, I just learned that Angi knew the seventh chamber could be lethal and deliberately took the lead. I should have stopped her.”

  “Don’t start blaming yourself, my boy,” came Andrew’s sound advice, realizing Wolfram’s sense of guilt. “Angi did the right thing. After all, she had the medallion and thought she could provide enough protection to ward off whatever Zolar had devised. What she didn’t realize is that Zolar had rigged it to kill you.” He let that sink in before continuing, “By the way, when are you going to let her know how you feel about her?”

  The question startled Wolfram, and he responded guardedly, “Ah Andrew, I’m ten years older than Angi. She needs a younger man.”

  “Well you won’t be able to use that argument for long,” replied Andrew.

  “Why not?” asked Wolfram puzzled by Andrew’s remark.

  “Whatever our destiny, Myttrwn is about to ask you if you and the others will agree to be physically twenty-five years old, while Bryce and myself are to be fifty. On our behalf, the decision was easy. But as always you must make this choice yourself. Apparently we have a great deal of work ahead. You’re going to spend a lot of t
ime with Angi. Does that change your mind?”

  Wolfram smiled and looked at Andrew saying, “If that’s the case then Angi needs to recover as I definitely have something to say to her.”

  The conversation dwindled as they silently continued their vigil.

  * * *

  Angi’s Therapy Unit

  Alone, Angi found herself in a brightly lit venue with a loud humming sound in her ears. Walking about she felt no ground beneath her feet nor any atmosphere, everything seemed neutral.

  “Am I dead?” she thought to herself, “Is this what it’s like? According to Myttrwn we just enter another level of consciousness. Is this it?” Then sensing another presence she asked, “Is anyone here?”

  Out of the mist came a familiar voice, “Well, Angi, you have had quite a journey through the pyramid,” came Adawee’s introductory comment as she landed on an invisible pole.

  “Ah, Adawee, you are indeed magical. Am I dead?” asked Angi, glad to have company. The piercing eyes of the Snowy Owl stared down at her.

  “You’re not dead, Angi, but you’ve been badly injured,” replied Adawee. “Sirona and Myttrwn have you in a light and sound cocoon which is gently restoring your damaged cells. You will recover but it will take time. This will give you and me a chance for another chat.”

  “I’m glad I haven’t died,” replied Angi, “I’d like to see my friends again. However, if you’re here talking to me then you must be able to enter my unconscious which is mysterious indeed. I’d love to know how but will let it go for now. What topic would you like to discuss this time?”

  “We’ll begin with your pyramid initiation. What did you think of it?” asked Adawee.

  “This initiation was dropped on us out of the blue and in summary was extremely arduous,” replied Angi. “I’m sure Zolar stacked the deck with the ultimate objective of eliminating us, but, fortunately with the aid of Sirona and Myttrwn, my medallion and Myttrwn’s dogs we survived……………… or I pray we all survived.”

  “Your friends are fine if that’s worrying you. You were the most critically injured,” replied Adawee.

  “Adawee could you explain why we had to go through this grueling ordeal after all we’re visitors not citizens of your kingdom?” asked Angi struggling with the ‘why’ of the whole nightmare.

  “Would you believe that this testing was necessary and ordained?” replied Adawee.

  “Ordained…….. by who?” asked Angi.

  “By Fate………. by Destiny………. by the gods………. it doesn’t matter. You had to prove to our kingdom and your own that you were worthy of this medallion and the mission ahead,” replied Adawee, waiting to see how Angi would react to such news.

  “Prove what?” asked Angi, shocked that she had to prove anything or was unworthy of having the medallion. After all she thought to herself, “I have the genetic code to wear this, who else would they select?”

  Adawee expected the question and replied, “Prove that you could dismiss your ego and be willing to sacrifice your own life for another, or that you were willing to commit yourself to a higher purpose, or that you were willing to think in a different way, or that in the suffering you would discover more about yourself. The truth of all heroic journeys, and everyone is on a heroic journey, is that you listen to your heart and not conduct your life according to some political, social or other dogma or agenda. Conquering fear gives each individual the courage to live. The ultimate aim in life is to acquire wisdom and to serve others, however you define ‘others’. Early in your life, Angi, you chose to serve others, this was just a further test to determine the depth of that commitment.”

  “I see,” said Angi. After some thought she asked, “How did I do?”

  Adawee was growing used to Angi’s point-blank questions and replied, “You did just fine. On different levels you performed superbly. But it’s not over yet, you have one final test which will occur in a few days.”

  “Oh help, not more tests,” moaned Angi, “What is it this time?”

  “You will know when it appears,” said Adawee, “It is not my place to tell you ahead of time.”

  “I’ve become used to your ways, Adawee. You have rules to follow. So I will wait. But I’m not looking forward to any more tests.” Wanting to change the topic she asked, “Let’s return to the pyramid. Do I take it that this torture test was somehow prescribed? Was it by one individual or a group?”

  “Not so much arranged by anyone, as it was required at this point in time to test you and your colleagues,” replied Adawee.

  “Was Zolar a conscious or unconscious pawn?” asked Angi.

  “I expect if that is my only two choices, I would have to say an unconscious one,” replied Adawee. “He was ready to act and the setting gave him the opportunity. Zolar is an individual who possesses an overinflated ego of his own importance, and this combined with his inability to forgive life’s many wounds either to himself or others made him vulnerable. In his opinion he was doing a noble act by forcing you to endure the ultimate test of this kingdom. If you succeeded then he could stand virtuously before the Council of Elders and say that the medallion was in the right hands. Of course he assumed, being from Gaia, you would fail his well-orchestrated and impossible trials which would substantiate his poor opinion of your planet and in turn undermine Sirona and Myttrwn. It was a well-constructed trap to snare a number of individuals. He will be most distressed that it failed.”

  “That man is downright evil in my books,” stated Angi venting her frustrations.

  “Evil………. now that’s a topic that needs some discussion. Angi, do you believe that evil can ever be eradicated?” asked Adawee, fluffing her feathers as she repositioned herself on the stand.

  “That’s a tough one,” replied Angi, “Throughout our recorded history many have tried to eradicate what they considered evil. For example, one war ends and another begins. One disease is brought under control or eliminated and another pops up. We live in a world of immense suffering, some having it worse than others. As I said before, our media dishes out a daily litany of local, national and international tales of woe, the list seems endless. Such news aggravates anxiety and fear in people, some get so overwhelmed they disengage from life. To answer your question, no I don’t feel evil can be eradicated at least not in my lifetime.”

  “Have you ever thought what your world would be like devoid of evil or darkness?” asked Adawee.

  “You mean if we actually achieved peace on earth……… now that would be a miracle,” said Angi trying to grapple with an inconceivable concept. “It would be nice to imagine we could have a month………. or even a year………. with no wars, disasters or heart wrenching family issues but it’s hard to picture.”

  “No health issues either…………. what about that?” asked Adawee knowing this would be a familiar topic for Angi.

  “What a fantastic idea,” replied Angi.

  “But what about all those people involved in such activities, would they be able to find other work?” asked Adawee, probing the economic implications of such a drastic shift.

  Angi still grappling with the possibilities, relied, “Oh, I expect so. Mankind would use its energies on other issues like improving our environment and the lives of all people.”

  “That’s a noble thought. But if there was less death from disease how could you feed, clothe and house all the people?” asked Adawee.

  “We can’t do that now so there would have to be greater population control which would aggravate a lot of people. But still, I think less illness would still be good,” replied Angi unwilling to dismiss the benefit to mankind.

  Pushing harder Adawee asked, “Is there any part of you that would allow both good and evil, light and dark, the opposites to exist side by side in your world, both intended to promote spiritual growth?”

  “Are you trying to tell me, Adawee, that both good and evil are necessary? That misfortune and suffering are needed in our lives?” asked Angi, a thought forei
gn to her upbringing.

  “Go on,” suggested Adawee, not wanting to interrupt Angi’s train of thought.

  After a few minutes Angi proceeded, “I suppose, however remote, if we didn’t have evil or darkness then we would be unable to appreciate goodness and light.” A pause allowed another thought to enter her mind, “You know this reminds me of a discussion I once had with a gifted artist. He insisted that there would be no great paintings without shadows. And a playwright said a theatrical performance would be boring without shadowy characters. Yet, it sounds much more alarming when applied to real life. I was brought up to believe we had to fight and eliminate evil in our society, that peace was our objective.”

  “Don’t misunderstand me, Angi, peace is an honourable objective but all societies have evil, sorrow and inequality. If you really want to succeed in life you need to know how to live in such societies by humbly passing through them. Your primary objective is to seek wisdom and love which cannot be acquired through material acts or goods. While life offers pain and suffering, compassion allows you to open doors to its spiritual treasures.”

  “Does this mean that any evil I’ve encountered in life is there for a reason?” asked Angi, “Adawee, you’re not suggesting that suffering is good for me?”

  “I think you already know the answer to that question, Angi,” replied Adawee, pushing the topic a bit further. “You must admit, it’s often in moments of greatest darkness or sorrow that you learn the most in life. Why is it that when people gather they dwell on their most negative memories?”

  “Ah, I see. Because that is when they have encountered the best about themselves or those around them and some have received actual miracles under such circumstances. Just look at me, at my darkest hour of losing my grandmother and finding out I might die, this whole group of people appeared. They have become my new family.”