by Callie Kanno
They stepped into the passage and moved forward a few paces.
Nothing happened.
As they continued, a strange sensation came over Adesina.
“Wait…”
Kendan froze in place. “Is there a trap?”
She couldn’t quite identify what she was feeling. It blossomed from her vyala—that much she knew—and it seemed to push outward as if she was being inflated. It made her feel uncomfortable and uncertain, but she did not understand why.
What is happening, Ravi?
His concern for her was clear through their Joining, and it made her worry. Whatever was happening to her was something that he had never seen before.
I…I am not sure, Ma’eve.
The sensation continued to expand until it saturated her entire body. When it reached her mind, a rush of intuitive knowledge flooded into her thoughts.
“The barrier here was an alteration of gravity. Intruders would rush down this passage and then be thrown towards the ceiling when gravity changed.”
Kendan stared at her. “How do you know that?”
Adesina hadn’t seen it in her Dream, nor had it been mentioned in any of the texts she had studied concerning Daemon Mount.
How did she know that?
Another wave of knowledge came to her.
“This barrier stopped working a long time ago. It is safe to cross.”
Ravi kept his voice nonchalant, but Adesina could feel his disquiet. “Very well. Let us hurry, then.”
I need to get her away from this place as soon as possible.
The thought was meant to be a personal one, but Adesina shared it as soon as it passed through Ravi’s mind.
Why?
The Rashad looked at her in surprise. Adesina sensed that he had not realized that he had shared that thought with her.
Your vyala has been acting strangely for a while now, but this land—and especially this mountain—seems to be amplifying the anomalies. I fear it is dangerous.
Adesina was also afraid. So little appeared to affect Ravi, and it was unnerving to see him so anxious.
The passageway came to an end, and the three companions entered into the cave that held the fifth barrier. Adesina felt the same wave of intuition, and she told Kendan and Ravi what she knew.
“This barrier is also dead. It used to be a maze of illusion that forced intruders to travel in circles, while appearing to be an endless path forward.”
Questions flashed in Kendan’s eyes, but he kept them to himself. “Well, I am glad that we do not have to face that. We are rather pressed for time.”
There were large amounts of rubble, but this time there was no clear path. They would have to climb over the boulders and debris, which was not easy given their current state of weariness.
Ravi was able to navigate the wreckage with relative ease. He moved small distances ahead of the other two and turned back to talk them through difficult sections. Despite the gravity of their situation, Adesina and Kendan found themselves smiling at each other as memories of Shimat training were brought to their recollection.
“Just like old times,” grunted Kendan as he grasped Adesina’s hand and pulled her onto a ledge.
She snorted. “You never participated when I was training. You stood to the side and criticized my technique.”
He scowled. “Not true. What about your week of survival training?”
Adesina barked a laugh. “We were not working together then. You spent the whole time making the situations as difficult as possible.”
Kendan held up a finger. “Ah, but I participated.”
They chuckled together.
“That edge is beginning to crumble,” warned Ravi from ahead.
The two former Shimat adjusted their course accordingly.
“What will you do after you rescue your husband?” asked Kendan in a more serious tone.
Adesina frowned thoughtfully. “I do not know. I suppose I just thought we would go home.”
He could tell that she was holding back.
“And now?” he prompted.
She sighed. “Now it does not seem possible. I have known that a war is coming for a long time, but it appears to have arrived before I expected.”
“A war with whom?”
Adesina was caught off guard by his question. “With the Shimat, of course.”
Kendan blew out his breath. “I would think that the issue of demons would be a bit more pressing, Adesina.”
She shook her head. “The source is the same. The Shimat are the ones trying to bring demons back into our world. Even if I stop Basha today, they will keep going until they succeed. They need to be stopped once and for all.”
Kendan reached out a foot to test the stability of a platform. “What if Basha succeeds in her objective today?”
Adesina’s expression became steely. “Then the Shimat will be the ones wielding demonic power, and it will be up to the L’avan to stop them. My enemy has not changed—only the weapons being used.”
They were standing high above the ground on a series of stone pillars that were the remains of some sort of bridge. Ravi had climbed a different route and was directing them from the side.
Adesina’s mind was beginning to become hazy in her weariness, and she was so absorbed in her resolve to stop the Shimat that she neglected to check with Ravi before jumping onto the next pillar in line.
“Ma’eve, wait!”
It was too late for her to change direction.
Through Ravi’s eyes she could see that the midsection of the pillar had crumbled away on the far side, and her sudden addition of weight caused the remaining support to crack and begin to fall forward.
Kendan leapt onto the moving rock and grabbed her arm, spurring her into motion. The two of them sprinted ahead, gaining enough momentum to jump onto the next pillar.
The falling rock crashed into the midsection of their current platform, which caused it to begin to fall. This time, however, the motion took them away from the next column they needed to reach.
Kendan pulled out his meteor hammer and spun it expertly. He cast it towards one of the jagged edges of a nearby platform, and the metal head caught between two jutting stones.
Adesina wrapped her arms around Kendan’s neck, and the two of them swung out of danger.
They grunted when they hit against the rock that supported them, but Adesina wasted no time in finding a secure handhold. She climbed to the top of the platform and reached down to give Kendan a hand.
He retrieved his meteor hammer and took a deep breath before grabbing her hand. His eyes were tired from the effects of the draining barrier and the exertion of their journey. It was clear that his natural strength was depleted and it took some effort for him to pull himself up to safety next to Adesina.
Ravi appeared at their side, and the queen could feel his anxiety.
“Are you injured?”
She placed a reassuring hand on her guardian’s back. “No, I am not hurt. Kendan?”
His burned arm was bleeding again, but he answered, “I am fine.”
“I can see the exit from here,” Ravi said. “We will have to climb down to reach it.”
Adesina evaluated Kendan’s injury from the corner of her eyes and asked casually, “Is there any way to get back to that bridge? Not all of the structure has fallen away, and it would be easier than climbing straight down from here.”
Ravi studied their surroundings. “I do not think that is possible,” he responded. “There is a lot of damage to this area, and most of the stone looks unstable.”
Adesina glanced downward. “Well, at least the ground has become passable. There are no more stalagmites to hinder our movement.”
She pulled out the length of rope and began tying it around her waist.
“It would be safest if we are bound together.”
Kendan snorted. “Not really. If I fall, I would only take you with me.”
“You will not fall,” Adesina replied lig
htly.
He stopped her hand when she tried to tie him to the other end of the rope. “It is too dangerous, Adesina.”
“So is letting you climb down without any support,” she retorted.
For a moment it seemed that he was going to continue to argue, but he finally sat back with a rueful sigh. “Just keep that magic of yours at the ready. We may need you to catch us from falling.”
Ravi transported himself to the ground and gave Adesina a view from below. Kendan started out strong, but it wasn’t too long before his arms began to tremble and his hands began to slip. His jaw clenched in pain when he had to support his weight with his injured arm, but he kept moving at a steady pace.
Adesina climbed downward whenever Kendan was at rest, and she braced herself in position when he moved. She sighed in relief as he reached the ground.
The three remaining travelers wound through the last of the rubble and out of the enormous cave.
As before, a narrow tunnel connected the rooms. The trail was at a steep incline, and Adesina estimated that they were getting close to the peak of the mountain.
Unlike the other tunnels, this one ended with an ancient door. It was wrought from gold, and an intricate pattern was inlaid with silver. Adesina had never seen the design before, but she somehow felt that she knew it well.
It depicted a sunburst encircled by two feathered wings, and a pair of feline eyes set above as if watching over.
“It is the sign of the Serraf,” said Ravi with reverence. “They are the Keepers of the Thresholds, and each entrance is marked with their symbol.”
The young queen hesitated before the door, uncertain if she should open it.
What would be found on the other side? Basha had succeeded in opening the Threshold—even if just partially—and there was no telling if a swarm of demons awaited Adesina beyond the door.
What if she was confronted with the dead body of her husband?
No, Ma’eve. Do not give in to such fears.
Adesina knew that Ravi was right. She took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
It swung on its hinges smoothly, as if they received daily care. Not a sound was made by the door or by those who passed through.
Adesina was the first to walk into the room, and she was overwhelmed by the flow of the vyala in the cave.
The Threshold was very near.
Ravi was also affected by the thrumming power that stood just beyond the doors on the far side of the room.
“This must be the antechamber to the Threshold.”
Kendan started to walk forward, but Adesina reached out and grabbed his arm.
“Wait.”
He frowned in confusion. “Why?”
The strange otherworldly sense came over Adesina’s mind once more, just as it had when she had approached the failed barriers and knew that they were safe.
“There is another barrier here—the final barrier. It is very strong.”
Understanding blossomed in Kendan’s eyes. “Ah, yes. I remember what the Henka elders told us. It was something about the Cave of Terrible Truth.”
Ravi nodded slowly. “Yes, I can feel it as well.”
“It is the final challenge before reaching the Threshold,” said Adesina softly.
Kendan quirked an eyebrow. “How difficult could it be to face truth?”
Ravi’s face was grim. “More difficult than you imagine. There are truths that we go to great effort to keep from our conscious mind. To be forced to confront those…”
The former Shimat looked slightly uncomfortable, but he shrugged with a show of confidence. “I am the least valuable of the three of us. I will go first and test out this barrier of truth.”
After a moment of consideration, Adesina nodded in agreement.
“Remember, you must accept what you see as truth in order to move forward. If you deny its reality, you will be turned back.”
Kendan took a deep breath. “I will remember.”
Chapter Fifty: Terrible Truth
Kendan took a single step forward.
He suddenly found that he was no longer in the caves of Daemon Mount, but standing in a grassy field. A small cottage stood alone in the area, looking tidy and idyllic. A handful of fruit trees lined one side of the house, and beside them was a bountiful vegetable garden. A small chicken pen stood on the opposite side of the cottage, and a cow grazed on a picket line.
It was a picture of domestic comfort.
Something told Kendan that he had seen this house before, but he knew that could not be possible. He was a Shar Child—raised in the Shimat fortress until he was old enough to train.
He walked towards the little home, inexplicably drawn forward.
It was late in the evening, and the stars twinkled in the sky. The moon was dark, which made the lights from the cottage windows seem even brighter.
A man opened the door and breathed deeply, taking in the clean air of spring. He carried a bucket over to the cow and began to milk her while humming quietly to himself.
Kendan approached the man silently, studying his features in the dim light.
The man was tall, with dark hair and eyes. He had strong features that almost seemed too bold for his face. A long scar ran from his hairline to his jaw, marring the entire left side of his face.
It was the scar more than anything else that prompted Kendan’s memories.
“Father…”
The man did not hear Kendan’s soft call, but he heard another one.
“Devlin.”
The voice came from the shadows.
Devlin did not turn from his task of milking the cow. “You are getting sloppy, Signe. I knew you were there before I left the house.”
Signe emerged from the darkened corner of the garden and walked over to Devlin. She had raised Kendan from childhood, so he knew her face well. It looked younger now, but he was familiar with every feature.
“I meant for you to see me, otherwise you would not have known I was there.”
Devlin smiled with gentle incredulity. “Perhaps. What are you doing here? I have broken ties with the Shimat.”
Kendan was startled by this revelation. Signe had always maintained that his father had been a loyal Shimat warrior until the very end.
“One does not simply walk away from the Shimat, Devlin. You know that.”
His expression was pained. “I know why they sent you and I know why you are here, but I will not come back. I have a family now. This is my life.”
“You said you love me,” hissed Signe venomously. “How little that must mean if some farm girl can change that.”
For the first time, Devlin’s expression became dangerous. “Leave Keeva out of this, Signe. I did not lie when I said I loved you, but you have always loved the idea of being Sharifal more than anything…or anyone.”
Kendan stared back and forth between them in surprise. He had always assumed that Signe was his father’s sister, but this exchange made it clear that there was no blood relation between them.
Signe reached out to grab Devlin’s arm. “You swore to help me achieve that dream. Think of what we could do together. We would be unstoppable.”
Devlin slowly and firmly pulled his arm away. “You do not need me, Signe. You can achieve your dream all on your own.”
Hatred glinted in her blue eyes. “There are those who are calling you a traitor.”
He shook his head. “I have followed every protocol. I gave notice, I renewed my oath of loyalty, I settled down where the Shimat could easily find me—it is not a crime against the order to retire.”
“It should be,” spat Signe. “If I become Sharifal, I will make it a crime to abandon your duty.”
“I am not coming back,” Devlin repeated. “I am now nothing more than a farmer.”
Signe folded her arms. “I wonder what would happen if your wife found out what kind of man she married. I wonder what she would say if she were told about your role in the Tanar tragedy.”
“I hav
e told her that there is great darkness in my past,” said Devlin, “and that I am trying to live a life of good now. She would be saddened by tales of my past actions, but she already knows what kind of man she married.”
The cry of a toddler sounded from within the cottage, and the gentle voice of a woman soothed it back to sleep.
“Is that your son?” inquired Signe.
“You already know the answer to that,” replied Devlin. “The Shimat have been watching me closely ever since I left.”
“Will you be sending him to train at the fortress?”
He scowled. “Of course not! I would never wish for my son to live the kind of life that I have.”
Signe leaned forward. “If you help me with one last mission, I will make sure that he is left alone. He will live a life free from the shadows of your past.”
Devlin finished milking the cow and stood up. “You will not touch my family. I will die before I let any Shimat try to bring them harm.”
He picked up the bucket of milk and walked back into the house.
Kendan heard a soft murmur escape Signe’s lips.
“Yes, you will.”
***
Kendan was not certain how much time had lapsed since the meeting of Signe and his father, but it was night once more and he stood inside the small country cottage.
Keeva was a lovely woman with a warm, round figure and an angelic face. She sat in a chair by the fireplace, mending the clothes of her hardworking husband. Devlin sat across from her, whittling a whistle for his young son.
For me, Kendan amended.
The child version of himself was no more than two or three years old. He slept peacefully in the back room of the cottage.
Without warning, the front door burst open and a half dozen Shimat rushed into the room. Keeva was restrained without much trouble, and Devlin stopped fighting when he saw that his wife was a hostage.
“Please,” he said quietly, holding up his hands in surrender, “do not hurt her.”
Signe strode into the room with a smug expression on her face. “This is your last chance, Devlin. Join me now, or suffer the consequences.”
Kendan’s father stared at Keeva. Her eyes were wide with fear, and tears ran down her cheeks.
