Third Chronicles of Illumination

by C. A. Pack

  Odyon narrowed his eyes but kept silent and followed the curator to the time machine.

  The Romantican militairres took off at lightning speed for the Library of Illumination, which was so completely engulfed in flames the evening sky was tinted orange. The townspeople followed their lead and morphed into an amateur fire brigade, running for buckets, hauling water from wells and fountains, and passing it to the women standing closest to the fire.

  The overseers didn’t have to run. They transported themselves there in an instant and took stock of the scene before them. They watched as the residents of Roma joined together to fight a common cause. The women tossed individual buckets of water at the blaze, but they did not do much to quell the intensity of the flames.

  RS:⌘ It appears our assistance may be required to save the library.

  ALL: ℌ We are in agreement that help is necessary.

  The three overseers spread out, triangulating themselves around the library. Ryden Simmdry nodded toward the buckets of water being passed by the fire brigade, and the onlookers gasped as the water rose out of the buckets into midair. The overseers used their powers to swirl the water around the library, building it into a circular wall of water that curved in at the top like a dome. The three nodded at the same time, and water drenched the Library of Illumination, transforming the flames into columns of steam. The structure hissed as rivulets of water found the last of the burning embers.

  Natalia stood at the front of the building, caked with soot, except where her tears had allowed channels of her now reddened complexion to show through it. She said only one word. “Why?”

  Ryden Simmdry disappeared, causing a few more gasps. Inside the library, he used his mind to reconstruct what happened in reverse. In what looked like a glowing video blueprint, the master watched the now-collapsed cupola rise to its perch at the top of the building. He observed as the flames lessened and lowered until they were merely concentrated in the center of a sub-level room. He saw a pile of books and furniture grow higher as the flames diminished. And when the fire went out, he watched the books and furniture fly into the tentacles of two Terrorians, who scrambled backwards to the places where their kindling had come from. Then, Ryden Simmdry watched the troopers shiver, and realized the overseers had triggered the event by shutting down the nuclear power supply to each library when they sealed them off from the portals. In doing so, they had made the buildings inhospitable to the two trapped Terrorians Nero 51 had overlooked when he exterminated their fellow soldiers.

  He reappeared outside the library’s blackened shell.

  RS:⌘ The Terrorians brought it upon themselves.

  PT:★ We are partially responsibility.

  HB:✠ Not at all; if the Terrorians had not made the unwise decision to invade, this would not have happened.

  RS:⌘ They are to blame for their own demise.

  PT:★ Will we rebuild this library?

  RS:⌘ Not until the threat of war has ended. To do anything else would be a waste of natural resources.

  PT:★ I feel the Romanticans are being unfairly punished.

  HB:✠ Natalia will feel the displacement most. The others, less. And it will give them a cause to rally around. The restoration of the library will be the final reward. But, Ryden Simmdry is correct. Any premature rebuilding could be a waste of resources, best laid aside for now, in case of war.

  Jackson felt his face grow warm. Logan told him earlier that the first rule of dating is to not talk about your ex with your new girl. Jackson especially didn’t want to discuss Johanna with Emily.

  “May I clear your plates?”

  Jackson looked up at the waiter. He had never been so relieved to see someone in his life. “Yes,” he answered, “and we’d like to see your dessert menu.” He turned to Logan. “Right?”

  “Wouldn’t be a meal without dessert,” his friend answered.

  Jackson turned to Emily. “You’ll have dessert, won’t you?”

  “I don’t think I could eat one by myself. Would you share one with me?”

  “Sure,” he replied, taking a dessert menu from the waiter. “What looks good?”

  Logan groaned. “Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle Cake.”

  Cassie slapped his arm. “That’s too fattening. Let’s share the Triple Sorbet.”

  “Triple Sorbet?” Logan shook his head. “You want to share frozen water? Sorbet isn’t dessert. At least, not for me. But, I’ll order one just for you.”

  Cassie looked appalled. “I can’t eat an entire order by myself.”

  “You don’t have to.” Logan placed the menu on the table. “Leave what you don’t want.”

  Jackson looked at Emily. “You don’t want Triple Sorbet, do you?”

  She blushed. “I was thinking the Triple Sorbet or the Crème Brûlée.”

  “What’s Crème Brûlée?”

  “It’s delicious,” Emily answered.

  Logan wrinkled his nose. “It’s egg custard.”

  Jackson made a face.

  “I’ve got it.” Logan raised both arms. “Jackson and I will each order manly desserts. And the two of you,” he looked at Cassie and Emily, “can share an order of sorbet. Everybody wins.”

  Emily sighed and looked away. Cassie glared at Logan.

  “What?” he asked. “It’s the perfect solution.”

  “I need to go to the ladies’ room. Emily?” Both girls got up and walked away.

  Jackson played with a spoon. “Did something just happen here that I missed?”

  “It’s a female thing, I think. It’s okay for them to share dessert with a guy but not with each other.”

  The waiter returned. “Have you decided what you’d like for dessert?”

  “I’ll have the Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle Cake,” Logan said. He handed the waiter his menu.

  “Me, too.” Jackson turned to Logan. “Should we order them sorbet?”

  “Yeah. Or else they’re going to call us thoughtless and cheap.”

  “And one Triple Sorbet with two spoons,” Jackson said as he handed the waiter the menu.

  Logan waited until the waiter walked away. “You don’t look like you’re enjoying your date.”

  “It’s bad enough trying to decipher what Johanna is thinking at any given moment. At least I know her and can guess half the time. Trying to do it with a whole new person is ridiculous.”

  By the time the girls returned, the sorbet was waiting for them. Logan and Jackson were both nearly half finished eating slabs of cake that each looked big enough to feed four people. The girls picked at the sorbet, and then at what was left of the guys’ cake. Emily acted as if nothing had happened, but every so often, Cassie gave Logan a look that said, you really screwed this up.

  Odyon instinctively sensed the moment Nero 51 focused his thoughts on the two crystals he clutched in his tentacles. The shapeshifter disappeared as the time machine propelled itself out of the Terrorian library and merged with the power of the crystals. He could feel the buildup in energy as the vehicle approached the pinhole. Suddenly, he felt himself dispersed like threads through the fabric of time and space and used his power to reverse their polarity, ultimately hurling the vehicle outside its trapped destination and directly to one of his own choosing.

  At first, he had considered returning to Fantasia but had second thoughts. By now, everyone in his circle of colleagues knew he was someone other than what he said he was and would not trust him or offer him sanctuary. Not that he needed their approval or help to live anywhere he wanted, but existence as a beam of energy left a lot to be desired.

  He then considered returning to Mysteriose. He was Mysterian by birth, and considering they would know nothing of his adventures on Fantasia, he would blend in until he could establish an identity. However, he hadn’t been there in many millennia and wanted to give it further thought.

  The time machine came to rest without traveling very far at all. It materialized in the Terrorian town square, where dozens of troopers were trai
ning for battle.

  “Nero 51, you’re finally here.” Terrorian military leaders gathered around the curator. “We haven’t received any news about the invasion. What is happening in the other realms?”

  Nero 51 stared at the soldiers surrounding him. How is it possible they know nothing about the library being cut off?

  His chief military strategist gave him a two-tentacle salute. “Why is the library locked? We tried to gain access but can’t get in. We’ve seen troopers inside, trying to batter the windows, but it appears they can’t get out. What is going on?”

  So they do know. “Kelsis 384, it is good to see you,” Nero 51 replied. “There appears to be a force field surrounding the library. We had a devil of a time getting out.”

  The strategist looked confused. “We?”

  Nero 51 looked around for Odyon. There was no sign of him. He could feel an uncomfortable tightening of his skin but refused to allow his wariness to show. He clasped a tentacle around the strategist’s shoulders. “I was speaking metaphorically, of course.”

  Johanna’s alarm went off just before midnight. She stretched, grabbed a bottle of water and an apple, and headed up to the cupola.

  “Thank God,” Chris muttered. “I’m bushed, and I’ve still got to do geometry homework before I can hit the sack.”

  “Don’t you have tomorrow off?”

  “Ava has tomorrow off. Jackson has tomorrow off. But I have a tutoring session because I suck at geometry. So, technically, I have a class I have to attend. And since I’m the only student, he’ll know if I didn’t do my homework. He’ll call my mom. Things will get ugly.”

  “Why didn’t you bring it with you and do it up here?”

  “Because if I’m doing homework, I’m not guarding the portals. And I’m here to guard the portals.”

  “Admirable. I don’t think your tutor would agree, but you can’t tell him, so it doesn’t matter.”

  “Right. Like Vegas. What happens in the library stays in the library.” He yawned loudly as he made his way down the stairs.

  Johanna wondered if Jackson was home. He might have come in while she was asleep. But, somehow, she didn’t think so.

  —LOI—

  22

  Jackson walked Emily to the door.

  She smiled, her dimples showing. “I had a nice time.”

  “Me too.”

  She closed the space between them. “A really nice time.” She tilted her face up toward his.

  She wants me to kiss her again. Jackson felt a pang of guilt, followed by a jolt of testosterone. Oh, what the hell. He leaned in and kissed her.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed into him.

  He responded in kind.

  The porch light went on and he could feel the vibration from Emily’s groan.

  “I’ve got to get inside. But I had a really, really nice time.”

  “Yeah.” Jackson waited for her to disappear behind the closed door before walking back to the car. As soon as he was inside, Logan pulled a U-turn and headed up the street. Jackson narrowed his eyes but said nothing. Five minutes later, Cassie turned to Logan before getting out of the car and stated abruptly, “Don’t even think about walking me to the door.” Logan shrugged as Cassie stormed off toward the house.

  “I’m coming up front.” Jackson switched seats and studied his friend’s profile. “Why did you take Cassie home first?”

  “She was fuming about something, and I didn’t want to hear it. I knew she wouldn’t get into it with you in the car. So you are my savior; thank you very much.”

  “This happen often?”

  “Once a month. That’s what happens when two people have been going together for a while. They get touchy about certain things. I’m not sure what’s bothering her this time, but I’m sure I’ll hear all about it before too long.” Logan stopped for a red light. “How were things between you and Emily?”

  “It was okay. It’s easier to be with Johanna. She always knows what I’m thinking. But Emily is nice.”

  “You asking her out again?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe. She’s not as reserved as Johanna. I might as well take advantage of the plusses in our potential relationship.”

  “How many plusses are you talking about?”

  “If tonight is any indication, we’re talking higher mathematics.”

  Logan pulled to the curb in front of the library. “Maybe I should have dated her.”

  “Didn’t you tell me she’s Cassie’s best friend?”

  “Yeah. I guess dating her wouldn’t be a smart move. Cassie can be vindictive.”

  “Besides, I might date her again.”

  “You already said that. But, I’m not convinced, higher mathematics or not.”

  Most of the Mysterians who had gathered the previous night to try to batter the gates at the iridium cave did not believe Nycose could get his hands on the weapon he described, so they didn’t bother showing up at the cave at sunrise. However, Pagaron and two of his brethren from the priesthood stood waiting at the gate when they saw Val Dvir’s assistant approach, dragging a small dray behind him.

  Pagaron looked from Nycose to the dray. “Is it a cannon?”

  “No. Just this.” The assistant uncovered a large metal tube wrapped in a bundle of rags. He settled one end on his shoulder.

  One of the men with Pagaron snorted. “You needed a dray to carry that?”

  “No,” Nycose answered. “I needed a dray so people wouldn’t be able to tell what I had taken. If they saw this, they would talk about it. But all they saw was a dray.”

  “Do you know how to make it work?”

  “Like this,” Nycose said, aiming at a boulder. He pulled the trigger. Not even dust remained.

  The priests’ eyes widened.

  Pagaron grabbed Nycose by the arm. “Quickly then, before anyone comes. It’s time to remove these walls.”

  They entered the cave and Nycose took aim at the gates.

  “Not the gates, you narf,” one of Pagaron’s companions complained.

  Pagaron held up a hand to silence his fellow priest. “Let him shoot the gate. Let’s see what happens.”

  Nycose focused on the round piece of solid metal that appeared to hold the gates closed and fired.

  Mal asked Ryden Simmdry to explain his plan to offer Adventurans living cells of highly accomplished individuals. Dean Artemus Rexana agreed that it might work and accompanied Mal to Adventura. They found Prophet IAN c. at work in one of the labs and discussed the proposal.

  The Adventuran’s answer was simple. “No.”

  Mal couldn’t help but show his surprise. “You’re turning us down?”

  “We are an accomplished race. Our history has inflicted many setbacks, but we have always surmounted them on our own. We have worked hard to overcome the hurdles that make other races susceptible to failure. It is a major source of pride for us. You are suggesting we water down our own civilization by introducing other races. It is an appalling suggestion. We would be taking a step backward. Doing so could invite discord due to unexpected personality disorders, external politics, and possibly new pathogens that might infect the future viability of our own hu*bots. It could be catastrophic. On behalf of my fellow hu*bots, I refuse. Any type of immigration at this juncture is abhorrent to us.”

  Ozzro reported for military training the next morning and found the compound buzzing with news of Dungen’s arrest. Many of the stories were highly embellished. One stated Dungen had attacked his father, Pondor, in a drunken rage. Another said Ozzro hunted Dungen down and, calling him a traitor, had delivered him to the military sentinels. Both stories referred to Dungen’s illegal possession of a decimator, which was a fact, and Ozzro referred to it whenever anyone asked him what happened. Besides that, he only admitted to being in Pondor’s office when the arrest happened. There were rumors of Dungen’s claim to “get even with Ozzro” after the “misunderstanding” was handled. Ozzro hoped that someone would lose the key to
Dungen’s cell and never find it.

  The library on Romantica smoldered well into the morning. The outer walls remained intact, and since the library was sealed off, no one could really look inside to see the extent of the damage. But the dome and cupola could no longer be seen from the ground, so the fire had clearly caused the roof to cave-in.

  Around the corner, Natalia sat at Dame Erato’s front window, staring forlornly at her former home. Everything she cherished most had been locked inside the library, and now it was all gone.

  “Good morning, Natalia,” Dame Erato said. “Did you manage to get any sleep at all?”

  Natalia felt a tear slip down her cheek. She opened her mouth to answer, but there were no words that could describe how profoundly sad she felt. She closed her mouth and shook her head.

  “What you need is some fresh brichi. Do you want to come out into the garden with me and select the flowers you would like, or should I surprise you?”

  “Choose whatever flowers you think are best,” Natalia whispered.

  Dame Erato nodded and headed outside.

  The brichi no sooner came out of the oven than there was a knock on the front door. Dame Erato greeted the Jolen sisters and invited them for breakfast. The sisters couldn’t help but notice the feeling of complete desolation triggered by the waves of despair that seemed to roll off Natalia.

  Arraba plucked a bit of soft brichi from the center of her slice. “I think the rebuilding of the library will be a wonderful task to help unite Romanticans, while giving our militairres purpose.”

  Natalia closed her eyes for several seconds before focusing her gaze on the eldest sister. “Only the overseers can rebuild the library. It has special properties that only they can address.”

  Arraba took a sip of tea before answering. “Maybe they’ll rebuild the structure, but it’s up to us to replant the gardens surrounding the library, which were trampled while we extinguished the fire. And we must haul water from the river to refill the fountains that we emptied last night fighting the flames. Your overseers can handle the interior of the library, but it’s up to us Romanticans to refurbish the exterior and return it to what it was before.”