Dark Humanity

by Gwynn White

  “What could have done this?” Andrew said, gaping at the burned remnants of the buildings.

  “The Goat,” Galleon exclaimed after a long and reflective pause. “This is what happened when my people were taken. I’ll bet you anything this is His doing. Those flags we saw before must be the Goat’s mark.”

  Joshua felt a weird sensation as they continued through the valley. It became more noticeable with each step.

  “What’s that strange noise?” Andrew asked.

  “I can hear it too,” Galleon said. “It started a few minutes ago, and I think it’s getting louder.”

  “I can’t hear where it’s coming from,” Sarah added. They all looked around to try to find the source of the noise.

  “Joshua, it’s you!” she said.

  Joshua looked down at his keeper bag. He felt a strange vibration coming from it. He reached in and took out the orb. As he unwrapped the cloth, he could see a faint glow around the orb, which continued its quiet humming.

  The clear, spherical crystal had an engraving of an eye on one side, and this was where the glow was coming from. As he moved around with the orb, the humming grew louder and then softer, and the eye glowed brighter and then dimmer. It seemed to change depending on which direction he was facing.

  “It’s a beacon!” Sarah exclaimed with wide eyes.

  Joshua circled. The orb vibrated and glowed more when he pointed it north through the valley, so they carried on in that direction. It acted as a compass and led them to a rocky outcrop part way up the foothills on the eastern side, about half way through the valley.

  Using the orb to guide him, Joshua located a secluded entrance to a cave. It was surrounded by huge boulders and thick vegetation and they had to squeeze to get through the narrow opening.

  Once inside, the orb began pulsating rapidly. It glowed so brightly the path ahead of them was illuminated enough to allow them to venture deeper into the cave. The winding passage narrowed as the orb led them through a labyrinth of twists and turns.

  Joshua could see his breath through the chilly air each time he exhaled. They continued until they could no longer see the daylight from the entrance. Now they were totally dependent on the orb and its glow.

  Without warning the orb stopped vibrating and the glow dimmed and went out altogether, plunging them into darkness. Sarah reached for Joshua’s hand and squeezed it tightly.

  The sudden darkness gave them a fright, but Joshua’s eyes adjusted and it became clear there was still a faint flicker of light coming from somewhere. He looked around to try to find the source of the glow. It came from just around a corner ahead of them.

  Turning a corner, they entered a cavern and found the source of the light. It was a small, blue flame, no bigger than a fist, in the centre of the cavern. It hovered above the ground at about waist height and cast eerie shadows on the walls around them.

  Joshua was puzzled at how the flame sustained itself, as there was no wood or other material visible. The ground beneath the flame was flat and empty. Encircling it was a ring of stones. Joshua made his way around them to see what else was in the cavern, but there was nothing other than the flame. He carefully stepped over the ring of stones to get closer to the flame. He reached out with one hand, but he couldn’t feel any heat coming from it.

  Just then, the flame erupted and filled half the cavern. It shot high up into the ceiling that seemed to go on forever. It was so bright that everyone recoiled and turned their heads away.

  13

  Oracle of Forestium

  After a few seconds, the flame died down about half way. Small sparks were emanating from the top of the flame and floating up into the air. Just as Joshua’s eyes adjusted to the new level of brightness, a voice echoed around the cave.

  “The pure of heart may command the flame, for he is worthy that the Oracle may assist…”

  The soft voice seemed to come from within the flame itself. It was reassuring, with a high pitch like that of a young woman. As each word was spoken, blue sparks erupted and flew into the air, trailed by wisps of smoke. Joshua looked into the flame with wide eyes and pondered the cryptic words.

  “Are, are you the…um…are you the Oracle?” he asked, trying not to fumble his words. Joshua’s heart raced. There was a pause before the Oracle spoke.

  “I am the one, the source. The answers you seek lie here within…”

  Joshua recoiled at the sudden sound. He looked at the others before squinting at the flame.

  “I…I want to know who it was I saw in my dream. Was it my father? Is he alive?”

  Again, there was a pause before the Oracle spoke and Joshua waited with bated breath.

  “The truths you seek are not easily foretold. Visions of suffering cloud your future, young Joshua. Are you prepared to pay the price that answers may be granted to the knowledge you seek?”

  Joshua didn’t understand what the Oracle was saying. Did the answers come at a price? He was willing to pay a price for the knowledge the Oracle had, but why did it have to be so cryptic? Why couldn’t the Oracle just come out and say whatever it was that needed to be said?

  “Um, price?” Joshua asked, peering into the flame with his brow raised and his head tilted forward.

  The Oracle continued to speak in a sweet tone, “You are worthy of heart, Joshua, but your path will be a difficult one. To learn what you seek, you must accept your destiny. Are you prepared to pay the price?”

  This puzzled Joshua. He hadn’t bargained on having to give anything in exchange for the information he sought. He pursed his lips and thought for a moment.

  “I am prepared,” the nervous young man replied, still gazing into the Oracle’s orange flame. In truth, Joshua wasn’t prepared at all but he desperately wanted to hear what the Oracle had to say next. He raised his hands to his mouth and tensed his shoulders waiting for the Oracle to respond.

  There was a blinding flash, and he found himself engulfed entirely within the flame, levitating above the ground. He felt disconnected from reality. The flame was no longer moving but was all around him and he couldn’t feel any heat. He was aware of his friends standing around the circle of stones but they weren’t moving either. The sensation was strangely comforting. He felt safe. It was as if time had stopped.

  Just as he was adjusting to this new reality, the Oracle spoke. It was the same gentle voice but it was somehow different. Instead of the sound echoing around the cavern, this time it came from within his own mind.

  “The Orb of Vision that brought you to me is but one of three magical orbs that exist in this world, Joshua. The Orb of Time lies within this cave. You will find the Orb of Suffering guarded by the Elder of the northernmost village of Forestium. Bring the three orbs together to open the Portallas. Your father awaits you on the other side.”

  “But beware, Joshua. You must bring the orbs together with haste, for you are not the only one to seek their power. The one who banished my children also seeks the power. The love you have found cannot last, Joshua. The knowledge of this is the price you must pay.”

  There was another bright flash and Joshua found himself once again standing in the cavern with the others. The flame died down to its original size and was again a flickering with a blue hue. Beneath it now lay a roll of cloth. Joshua reached down and picked it up. He unrolled it to find another orb inside. This crystal had a carving of an hourglass engraved into it on one side, but was otherwise was exactly the same as the Orb of Vision.

  “The Orb of Time,” Joshua whispered as he gazed at the orb.

  “Um, the orb of what?” Andrew asked. “How did that get there?”

  Joshua turned and looked at the other three.

  “I just spoke with the Oracle.”

  “Yes, we heard,” Andrew said, “you told it you were prepared to hear what it had to say.”

  “No, you don’t understand. I was in the flame. I heard the Oracle’s voice inside my head.”

  Andrew and Galleon looked at each other with r
aised brows and pursed lips.

  “What did the Oracle say to you?” Sarah asked. She at least seemed ready to accept Joshua’s account of what he had just experienced. Joshua paced back and forth, staring at the ground.

  “She said I had to find the third orb, the Orb of Suffering. I think that’s what she said called it. She said the Elder in the northernmost village of Forestium was looking after it and that I should bring the three orbs together to open something called a Portallas. She said my father was on the other side.”

  “What was all that stuff about paying the price, then?” Galleon asked. “What’s the price you have to pay for this information?”

  Joshua thought about this and his heart sank. He caught Sarah’s eye. The Oracle had told him the love he had found could not last. Was the Oracle talking about his love for Sarah?

  “I…I don’t know,” Joshua broke eye contact with Sarah. “It was all a bit cryptic. I…I’m just not sure. She said we had to be quick, though. Something about the one responsible for banishing her children was also trying to get the orbs. She said we had to get the three orbs before he did or the Portallas thing wouldn’t work and I’d lose my father forever.”

  “The one who banished her children? What’s that all about?” Andrew asked.

  “I don’t know. Maybe she means the one that’s responsible for all the people in the valley who have gone missing?”

  “Hang on! Did you say the northernmost village?” Sarah asked, narrowing her eyes and tilting her head.

  “Yes, why?”

  “Well, that could very well be my village, Jemarrah. It’s in the far north and might even be the most northern village in all of Forestium.”

  “Hang on a minute! Didn’t you say your father was the Jemarrah village Elder?”

  “Yes, that’s right.”

  “That’s him! That’s who the Oracle said was guarding the Orb of Suffering. That’s where we have to go next!”

  14

  The Goat

  Melachor had made it back to his secluded hut deep in the forest. He waited for several days to make sure he was not followed before attempting to gaze into the Mirror of Prophecy. He desperately wanted to use the mirror in the hope of learning what had happened to his family but he was also nervous the Goat might have spies everywhere. Having waited for years to get his hands on the mirror, he wasn’t about to take any chances now it was finally in his possession. The mirror, he hoped, would lead him to his family, and he would protect it from the Goat at all costs. Waiting a few days just to be sure seemed like a small price to pay to get to see what happened to his wife and children.

  On this dark and cool night, when swarms of Dengles drowned out the noise of the wind rushing through the forest canopy, he took the bundle of cloth from beneath the floorboards where he had hidden it. Unwrapping it, he removed the mirror, raised it up to his face and peered in.

  The image of his reflection swirled, gradually fading away. A murky image replaced it. Melachor leaned forward to get a better look.

  Then, without warning, a hand reached through the mirror and violently grabbed him by the throat.

  It lifted him off his knees and gripped with such strength he could no longer breathe. The mirror floated in mid-air with Melachor dangling from the end of the Goat’s protruding arm. He grabbed at the Goat’s wrist with both hands and frantically tried to free himself from the vice-like grip, but it was no use. He felt himself being pulled through the mirror.

  The Goat’s grotesque face stared at him. It was crowned with two ribbed, black horns that curled out from either side of his head. The hideous creature peered up at him from under a thick, bushy brow. Melachor could make out the whites beneath the Goat’s glistening, black eyes. An untidy white tuft of hair hung from beneath His chin. The grip the Goat had on Melachor’s throat was excruciating, and he felt he was going to pass out as he thrashed his feet about, trying to find a solid surface beneath them.

  There was an almighty roar as the Goat screamed into Melachor’s face. The horrific sound reverberated around his head. His body and legs went limp and dangled lifelessly beneath him. Just as he thought he was about to die, the Goat released his grip and Melachor dropped to the floor in a heap.

  With his windpipe open again, Melachor gasped. His eyes were still closed as he desperately tried to inhale some life-giving air.

  The Goat strutted around the gasping man, lying curled in a ball on the floor in total confusion. He was still writhing in agony, coughing and spluttering.

  “You DARE to use MY magical power?” the Goat roared down at His captive, His hairy arms protruding from either side of his muscular torso, his fists clenched. He thrashed his head from side to side and roared again.

  “Please,” Melachor pleaded sobbing uncontrollably, trying to take more breaths, “have mercy on me, please.”

  “Why did you just use the mirror?” the Goat demanded. He kicked Melachor with one of his hooves. Although Melachor was not a small man, this blow sent him flying across the floor and he landed several paces away face down, clutching at his stomach.

  The Goat stared at him as He paced back and forth. Each time He turned, He kept his gaze fixed on the whimpering man across the room.

  “I could kill you now, worthless wretch. Maybe I will and maybe I won’t. Please me and I will consider letting you live. Now, I will ask you again. Why did you DARE use the mirror?”

  He paced up and down, waiting for Melachor to respond to his question.

  “I grow tired of hearing my voice alone, but I will ask you one more time, impudent wretch, why did you DARE to use the Mirror of Prophecy?”

  Melachor caught his breath and surveyed his surroundings. It was dark and musky, and he couldn’t see any features of the room other than the Goat pacing up and down. He couldn’t sense anyone else present and the only sound was the clicking of the Goat’s hooves.

  “WELL?” the malevolent brute demanded.

  “Please,” Melachor begged, “I only wanted to find my family. I want to know if they are safe.”

  “Hmm. I’ve tolerated people using the mirror for far too long. How did you come by it?” the Goat bellowed. His voice seemed calmer but He was still a terrifying figure. His initial rage had subsided and His pacing slowed.

  “I…I traded it,” Melachor replied with teary eyes. “I exchanged it for an orb.”

  The Goat stopped pacing altogether.

  “Orb?” The Goat shook his head violently and peered around the room. “Tell me about this orb!”

  “It opened up a gateway,” Melachor said. He had caught his breath somewhat and was sitting upright but was still cowering in fear. “I escaped through the gateway many years ago when you destroyed the Imps.”

  The Goat looked Melachor in the eye, then roared.

  “You mean the Orb of Vision. Where is it? Tell me, NOW!”

  “I…I don’t know where it is, I swear.” Melachor whimpered, “I told you, I traded it with a group of travellers. I think they were heading for the Valley.”

  Melachor’s bottom lip quivered as he cowered on the floor.

  “If…if I knew where the orb was, I…I’d tell you. Please. I’ll do anything. Just…don’t kill me.”

  The Goat looked up and started pacing back and forth again. His eyes darted around and He growled. Melachor felt glad the Goat was, at least for now, preoccupied with the orb and its whereabouts.

  The Goat stopped pacing and turned to look at Melachor again.

  “Tell me about these travellers! Who are they?”

  “I don’t know who they are,” Melachor whimpered. “I just traded the mirror with them. A young Woodsman with a couple of companions, I think. An Imp was travelling with them.”

  The Goat mumbled to himself. “Hmmm. The Orb of Time lies hidden with the Oracle. He must not find it…”

  He let out a grunt and stomped towards Melachor, who raised his hand to his face and turned his head away in fear.

  “You lie. There are no
Imps in Forestium. I banished them all from that realm. I should kill you now for your impudence.”

  The Goat raised his arm as if to strike a blow.

  “No, I…I swear it’s the truth,” Melachor cried.

  The Goat peered down at him, looking the petrified man directly in the eye. The Goat’s dark eyes and imposing silhouette were a terrifying sight. Slowly, the Goat lowered His arm to His side. He turned and resumed His pacing again, all the while mumbling to himself.

  “I must find the orbs,” the Goat murmured, peering around the dark room. “If the three orbs come together before…”

  He turned to Melachor again and said, “I will send my scouts to find them.”

  With that, He clapped several times, looked up and howled. Within seconds, Melachor could hear what he thought might be huge bats flying around high above them in the depths of the dark ceiling. Whatever the creatures were, they flew around for several seconds before the flapping sound faded away.

  15

  Blood-bats

  Joshua and the others tracked north through the Valley of Moross. Joshua was replaying his encounter with the Oracle over and over in his mind. Although it was very clear what he needed to do, he was troubled by what the Oracle had said about his love for Sarah. He kept repeating it in his mind.

  “The love you have found cannot last, Joshua. The knowledge of this is the price you must pay.”

  “Why?” he thought to himself. It seemed so unfair. Sarah was the best thing to happen to him in a long time, and he had just started to explore his stirring feelings for her. Would he have to give this all up? The thought both saddened and scared him.