by P. J. Hoover
“It was said Reva was cursed, and it soon became apparent that her unnaturally long life was continuing. New generations were born, but the expelled female ruler didn’t age. Fear of the curse finally caused the citizens of Xanadu to seal off the part of the caves where she was kept. And as time passed, she became nothing more than a faint legend, told to children over firelight. She can still be heard wailing in the night, perhaps mourning the loss of her husband, her power, or her life.”
Benjamin shuddered at the spooky tale. He looked at Heidi and saw that her eyes were wide with alarm. Again, he got the strange urge to reach out and grab her hand. But he didn’t. Why did he keep thinking that? Using the biggest mental eraser he could, he banished the thought from his mind and looked back to Ananya who smiled at him.
“Xanadu became a popular retreat for artists of all kinds. Musicians, painters, sculptors—all would come to Xanadu for much needed rest and instruction. I believe you arrived by the same means many of them did—an old travel agent map, if I am correct.”
Benjamin and Heidi nodded.
“These travel agent maps were the perfect means of transportation, as the precise location of Xanadu was always kept secret. Standard means of communication and travel were eliminated for Xanadu.”
“So why were we able to arrive with the Universal Travel Agent?” Heidi asked.
“It appears that someone enabled the device,” Ananya replied. “Though who, I cannot be certain.”
“So can our friends use it also?” Benjamin asked. “Will they be here soon?”
“I think not,” Ananya replied. “For only you and Heidi were destined to visit this time.”
“How do you know that?” Benjamin asked. “How did you know we were coming?”
“We have been awaiting your arrival for many years. Since far before you were born, we have known it would be you who would come for the second key of Shambhala,” Ananya said.
“But how could you know that?” Benjamin persisted.
“Ages ago, an oracle at Delphi told me. We have been awaiting your birth ever since. At long last, thirteen years ago, we were visited by the High Oracle personally to deliver the news of your birth. The key has resided here in Xanadu for thousands of years, but now, I believe the time has come for it to move on.”
“Do you know why I was chosen to have the keys?” Benjamin asked.
“Do not be mistaken, Benjamin Holt,” Ananya said. “The keys are owned by no one. You have been chosen to be the guardian of the keys, nothing more. When your purpose with them is complete, they will be passed on. They own themselves.”
Benjamin felt his face flush.
“Do not be embarrassed,” she said. “It is a common mistake for people to make. Ownership comes so easily for so many things, that sometimes it is hard to know when to draw the line.”
The golden-haired man discreetly cleared his throat.
“My companion reminds me that the hour is getting late. It is time for you to retrieve the key and depart,” Ananya said.
“So, where is it?” Benjamin asked. “Where do you keep it?”
“It is kept where it was placed, and it has never been moved,” Ananya said. She and the man stood up and began to walk out of the dome. Heidi and Benjamin got up and followed them. Chaos scampered at her feet. She headed toward a large fountain located near the entrance to the crystal dome. Upon reaching the fountain, she stopped.
“It is here, amid the waters of the fountain,” Ananya said, pointing at the cascading water.
CHAPTER 25
Inside the Fountain
Benjamin looked but saw nothing. “I don’t see it.”
“And you will not be able to until you are ready,” Ananya replied. She waved her hand in front of the fountain, and the water stopped, frozen in midair. Benjamin looked down and was surprised to see a large stone staircase spiraling downward into the darkness below. Water drained down the steps.
“It’s a secret passageway,” Heidi said, leaning over to get a closer look. “Where does it go?”
“The fountain stems from the sacred river Alph and travels deep into the caverns. The water contains the power of truth and the power of healing. It is down there that you will find what you seek,” Ananya said.
“When will I be ready to get the key?” Benjamin asked.
“When you have faced what it is you fear the most,” Ananya replied.
“But what’s that?” Benjamin asked.
“Only you know what it is you fear. Only you can control your feelings. And only within you is the knowledge necessary to retrieve the key from its resting place,” Ananya explained.
Heidi stepped forward. “Well, I guess we better go down there and look, Benjamin.”
The golden-haired man placed his arm gently in front of Heidi, barring her way. “This task is for Benjamin to face alone, Heidi. You will have to wait here with us.”
“But what if he needs help?” Heidi persisted. “He shouldn’t go down there alone. What about that story you just told us about Reva? It could be dangerous.”
“It’ll be okay, Heidi,” Benjamin said. “I’ll be fine. I can’t think of anything I’m afraid of anyway.” He smiled at her and began to walk forward.
“Just be careful,” Heidi said.
Benjamin noticed her face was knotted with concern. Why was she worried? She should be able to sense that there wasn’t any fear in his mind, and he was doing his best to mask the small feeling of doubt which was not normally there.
“Okay,” Benjamin replied.
He started down the circular stone stairway. It was wet and dark, and after only two turns, he could no longer see the light from above. The fountain began flowing again, and the sound of the running water filled the air around him. The water flowed gently over the side of the stairs, cascading down the center of the spiral. There was no handrail to hold on to, so Benjamin chose his steps carefully, settling both feet on each step before moving on to the next.
His eyes adjusted to the dark in no time. The walls around him were barren, the stone steps simple and smooth. Benjamin continued walking downward, completing fifty turns of the staircase before reaching the bottom. The ground sloped downward, allowing the running water to travel away from the stairs. A path ran alongside the flow of the water, and Benjamin began walking next to it. He looked around, but didn’t see any sign of the second key of Shambhala. Maybe it was down the path.
As Benjamin walked, he heard nothing except the sound of the running water. The rushing sound increased as he proceeded farther into the depths of the Earth. Benjamin continued walking though the water began to pool up over the banks of the small river. It sloshed against his feet, soaking his shoes through. With each step he took, the level of the river rose.
“Can anybody hear me?” a voice called out amidst the pounding of the water. “Please! Is there anybody out there?”
Benjamin turned in the direction from which the voice came.
“Help, please, anybody!” the familiar voice called. Benjamin recognized the voice at the same time he saw where it was coming from.
Benjamin ran over to the cell carved into the side of the cavern. There, behind solid bars, was his mother. “Mom! What are you doing here?”
“Benjamin! Help! The water’s starting to rise.”
Benjamin looked at the ground in the cell. Already, it was covered with water up to his mom’s ankles.
“Mom! I’ll get you out of there.” Even as he spoke, the water quickened its rising pace. It now reached his mother’s knees. He tried to use telekinesis to bend the bars of the cell, but his mind wasn’t strong enough.
“No, Benjamin! Don’t worry about me! Save the twins!” his mother screamed.
“Derrick and Douglas! Where are they? Mom, I can get you out!” he called back.
“No! Get the twins. She’s taken them! Please, Benjamin, save my babies. Don’t let them die! Please, Benjamin!” The water was now mid-thigh on his mother.
Beh
ind him, he now heard the distinct cries of his younger brothers. “Benji! Benji! Help us!” Derrick called.
Benjamin whipped his head around to look. Perched on the opposite wall were two shelves, set apart from each other. Water was nearing the base of the shelves.
“Benjamin, hurry, please!” his mom called out. He turned back to her. The water was now at her waist. “Don’t worry about me. Save the twins.”
“Stay where you are,” Benjamin called out to the twins, making his way to the opposite side of the large cavern.
“Benji, I’m scared,” Douglas cried.
The water was so high Benjamin could no longer reach the bottom with his feet. He began to swim over toward the wall shelves.
“Benji, why can’t Mommy get out of there? I want my mommy.” Derrick started to cry so fiercely he could hardly talk. “I want my mommy!”
“I’m coming, Derrick. Just stay where you are.” Benjamin started swimming toward the shelf where Derrick was now mid-knee in water.
“Benji, don’t leave me here,” Douglas cried out. “I don’t remember how to swim. Please, Benji, help me!”
“I’ll be right over to get you Dougie,” Benjamin yelled out. “Just stay close to the wall.”
Benjamin had no idea if he’d be able to reach them both in time. Would he have to choose which of his brothers to save? He didn’t think he could make such a choice; so instead, he put the thought totally out of his head. He would save them both. There was no other choice.
Benjamin used quick strokes and reached the shelf where Derrick was still standing. The water rose rapidly. He grabbed Derrick around the waist in a vice grip.
“I want Mommy.” Derrick was inconsolable. Benjamin turned to look back to the cell holding his mom. It was underwater.
“Derrick,” Benjamin said firmly. “You need to calm down. Mommy will be fine. We need to swim over to get Dougie, and we can’t do that unless you calm down!”
“Mommy! Where’s my mommy?” Derrick cried.
“Hurry, Benji! Hurry!” Douglas called out.
Benjamin turned to the other shelf and saw that Douglas was now up to his chest in water. It had to be now or never.
“I’m coming, Douglas. Just hold on,” Benjamin called. He began to swim over, holding Derrick firmly in his left arm. He had to swim on his back in order to carry the awkward load. The thought entered his mind that he might not be able to get there in time, but he immediately pushed it out. He had to get there in time. That’s all there was to it.
With every bit of speed and strength he could muster, Benjamin swam his way over to the wall shelf. Douglas was clawing desperately at the wall, trying to climb up the smooth side. The water rushed at them without mercy. Benjamin reached Douglas just before the water would have covered his head. Grabbing Douglas in his right arm, Benjamin arranged himself and the twins, all on their backs, in order to stay afloat.
Derrick was still crying for mommy, and soon Douglas was crying too. “Settle Down!” He screamed the thought in his mind. He didn’t know if the twins could hear him, but he didn’t have the energy to talk. There would be time later to think about his mom. Right now, the most important thing for Benjamin was to get the twins to safety.
Benjamin tried to crane his head around, looking for somewhere to escape from the river flood. Off to the left was a large upper cavern, which, in normal circumstances, would have overlooked the river far below. Kicking his legs with every bit of energy he had left, Benjamin made his way to the floor of the cavern. The water level was stabilizing, and, using his remaining strength, Benjamin maneuvered the twins, one at a time, up onto the floor. Finally, he pulled himself up behind them, and rolled onto his back.
Suddenly, the world shifted around Benjamin. He no longer lay on the floor of the large cavern. He lay at the base of the stairway, the same one he’d descended earlier. He quickly felt to his sides, searching for the twins.
“You have done well, Benjamin Holt,” the voice of Ananya said in his head.
“Where are my brothers?” Benjamin demanded. “What have you done with them? Where is my mom?”
“Your brothers are home safely with your mother and father and sister,” Ananya said.
“But what about the river? What about the cell my mom was trapped in? Who put them there?” Benjamin yelled his reply.
“It was only a test. Nothing more. You have passed, and you are ready for what lays ahead,” Ananya said.
Benjamin stood up quickly, looking around for Derrick and Douglas. They were nowhere to be found, and the water running off the stairway had returned to a normal flow, gently meandering its way through the cavern.
“A test! What kind of test was that? That was the most awful thing I’ve ever been through in my life. My mother was dead, and my brothers nearly were too.” Benjamin felt a lump well up in his throat. He fought back tears with his anger.
“That was the kind of test that will face you if you continue on as champion of the Emerald Tablet,” Ananya replied.
“What do you mean ‘continue on’? Do I have a choice in the matter?” Benjamin asked, his anger only just slightly subsiding as relief that the whole thing might not have been true reached his brain.
“There is always a choice in everything we do in life,” Ananya said. “It is for you, and only you, to decide if you are ready and willing to accept the challenge. You must decide if you are willing to put the good of the world above your own.”
“And if I’m not?” Benjamin asked.
“Then you may simply walk away,” Ananya said.
“And if I am?” Benjamin asked.
“And if you are, then the key is waiting for you,” Ananya replied.
In the center of the stairwell, on the floor, a bright green light began to glow, pulsating out from beneath the cascading water. Benjamin reached his hand toward the light, knowing what waited for him there. His hand closed around the smooth stone and he slowly picked it up. It was green and carved and beautiful, just like the first key.
Benjamin held it in his hand for a moment, studying its beauty. Was he the right person for the task set before him? Would he be able to bring peace to the people of Earth? Was he willing to accept such a large responsibility? Before now, Benjamin hadn’t really thought about the seriousness of the situation. It had seemed more like a game, a treasure hunt. Now he realized it wasn’t a game, but something far more serious than he could have ever imagined before. But if he didn’t do it, then who would? Would Earth be doomed to disaster?
He looked at the key once more, and then slowly slipped it into his pocket. He would face what lay ahead. Without looking back, he began the long walk up the circular stairway.
CHAPTER 26
The Forest Is Haunted
With her telepathy skills, Heidi would have needed to be unconscious to not sense Benjamin’s emotions while he’d been below the fountain. She must not have been able to reach him with her thoughts—or maybe she hadn’t tried. Whatever the reason, to Benjamin’s relief, nobody mentioned it. He had to put it behind him, at least for the time being.
Once again outside the fountain, Benjamin pulled both keys out of his pockets. They pulsated with light when he brought them close together. “So, can you tell us where the third key is?” Benjamin asked Ananya, pushing thoughts of the cavern test far from his mind.
“No, that is not possible, for I do not know,” Ananya replied. “I only became aware of the location of the first key when you removed it from its hiding place beneath the Emerald Buddha.”
“Will it be hard to get?” Benjamin asked, looking down at his shoes. “I mean, will I have to face another test?”
“The first key was a test of strength, the second a test of courage. There is no doubt the third key will have a challenge you must overcome, though what it is, I do not know,” Ananya replied.
Benjamin looked down at the keys, then back at her. “Thank you,” he said.
“No, thank you, Benjamin Holt. Now, I believe it
is time to part ways,” Ananya said. “Do you remember the way to the Universal Travel Agent?”
Benjamin began to shake his head no, but saw Heidi nodding hers. “I’m pretty good with directions,” she said. “I should be able to get us back there.”
“Then I suppose we should take our leave,” Ananya said. “Goodbye for now.”
“For now?” Benjamin asked.
“Yes, for we shall meet again, Benjamin Holt and Heidi Dylan,” Ananya replied. She put up her hand, stopping them from asking any questions. “I cannot tell you when, for I do not know exactly, but I am certain that this is not the last time we are to see each other.” Ananya and the golden-haired man smiled and bowed. Benjamin, unsure what to do, bowed back, and noticed Heidi did the same. Chaos jumped up onto Ananya’s shoulder and screeched his goodbye. He then rested his head gently into the crook of Ananya’s neck, much like a baby ready to fall asleep on its mother. Ananya and the man turned and walked away, leaving the shelter of the crystal dome—no longer glittering, as the sun had long since set.
Benjamin and Heidi turned and began to walk the other way. “So, you’re sure you know where we’re going?” Benjamin asked, trying not to think about the fountain experience.
“Definitely,” Heidi replied. “It’s just down the grassy hill, by the river.”
Thankfully, she didn’t ask about what had happened. When he felt ready to talk about it, he would—if he ever felt ready.
They set off, soon leaving the city walls far behind. While it had been light inside the city, the moonless sky was dark, and the farther they were from the city, the darker it became. Heidi slowed her pace, walking closer to Benjamin. Without warning, she stopped.
