by Simone Pond
“The Ancient One has called me to gather up the rest of his people. I’m starting in Alexandria and going from city to city to find those who want to return to the Ancient One. Together we’ll go to the Madlands where we will fight the Final Battle, and then be sent to the promised land, Shteim'esrei.”
I expected silence, but what I got was a cacophony of boos and shouting so loud and thunderous that I fell back against Claudius. He held me in his sturdy arms.
“Give them the choice,” he said.
“They can’t hear me,” I said over the noise.
“There must be a way to get them to hear you.”
Use the rod.
I gazed upward to the sky. And there like a small second sun was the guiding star, sparkling and gleaming as if brimming over with excitement from waiting to help me out. Okay, I need you … I lifted the rod, pointing it above, and called on the Ancient One. Lightning came down in streaks directly into the rod and created an umbrella of radiance over the Colosseum. The crowd became silent as they stared up to the dazzling and powerful light that twinkled and glistened like an electrifying dome overhead.
“You have a choice!” I yelled out to them. “You can either stay here in Alexandria and continue perishing in your controlled, restricted, and reserved prison—or you can come with us and fight for the Ancient One and live in complete freedom. Nobody is forcing you to do anything.”
The place remained still, as though the light had put everyone into a trance. Secretary Balthazar came up and patted my shoulder.
“Well, done, Jordan,” he said. “Let me explain the details of what happens next so we can manage this in an orderly fashion.”
I lowered my rod and the umbrella of glowing light dispelled, then I returned to my seat next to my mother. She stared at me, flabbergasted, her words caught in her mouth.
Balthazar stood next to Claudius and lifted his hand to get the crowd’s attention. “Ladies and gentlemen. We’ve witnessed something special here tonight. As the Chosen One said, you have a choice regarding which path you decide to take. We cannot force you to make a decision. But we must get on with it. Those who plan to go with the Chosen One on this pilgrimage, we ask that you gather together on the floor so we can handle the departure in an organized fashion. Those who wish to stay in Alexandria may remain in your seats.”
The Colosseum broke out into a momentary ruckus, until the trumpet sounded again and everyone settled down.
Claudius shouted to his people, “Those of you who inflict any harm on those choosing to leave will be put into containment and dealt with later. Be respectful.”
I took my mother’s hand. “Are you coming?”
She smiled, her beautiful, angelic face lighting up the entire VIP box as she rose to her feet. “Of course. I’m not losing you a second time.”
I gestured to Claudius, who was in a heated discussion with some of the government officials. They were clearly divided on the matter. Balthazar tried to play the mediator between the two parties.
“What about Claudius?” I asked.
“Oh, he’s coming. He made his choice the moment you called him Claudy. He’s always been drawn to the Ancient One because of you. You don’t remember, but you used to talk about the Ancient One quite a bit when you were young.”
She was right. I didn’t remember that at all. I’d always been repelled by Ashtar and his false promises and worshipers, but until I met Daniel and Haggai, I hadn’t really known the Ancient One. But it made sense. My foundation was rooted in the Ancient beliefs. Maybe that’s why I’d never felt at home on the right bank in Mysterium. Because I wasn’t.
Claudius finished his conversation and returned to my mother’s side. “Let us go, now. There’s only so much demanding I can withstand. My government doesn’t accept the concept of individual choice.” He paused as a few of the members came over, including Balthazar. “At least there are a few reasonable ones that have made the right choice to join our party. Come now.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
I exited the VIP box with my mother, Claudius, Balthazar, and about five others following behind. We walked to the arena floor amidst the chaos of chatter carrying throughout the Colosseum. Though the guards had done a decent job organizing the masses, many residents shouted and heckled those who had decided to return to the Ancient One.
On the arena floor, the turnout was impressive, if not massive. At least half the residents of Alexandria had decided to come with us. Immediately I was thrown into the throngs of people as I wrestled to get to the center. I squeezed and shoved past everyone, struggling to find a path. Someone grabbed my shoulder.
“Jordy!” It was Nils, back to his usual appearance.
“This is crazy!” I said.
“But you did it,” he said.
“We did it.”
“Come on, let’s get to the others.”
He pulled me through the walls of bodies until we reached the rest of our group. Everyone was accounted for, except the prisoners.
“Where are the prisoners?” I asked.
“We let them go,” said Nils.
I tightened my jaw to keep my temper in check. I wanted them to be with us on the pilgrimage and join us in the Final Battle. I wanted them to reach the promised land, too. And now they were out wandering the streets of Alexandria. They’d never survive the aftermath of this exodus.
“Why on earth would you let them go?” I blurted.
He leaned in close so I could feel the warmth of his breath on my neck. “We didn’t have a choice.”
“Of course you did!”
Nils shook his head. “When that umbrella of light settled over the place, something happened. After it was gone, so were they.”
I swayed backward in amazement. The Ancient One had taken them home. He’d come through on his promise. That filled me with a burst of hope. I moved closer to Nils and wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him close.
“A small victory,” I said.
I stayed there a moment, letting our hearts beat against each other. I didn’t understand what was happening between us, but I let it be, whatever it was. When I pulled away, my cheeks felt like the face of the sun. Nils stood there smiling at me with that damn grin of his, knowing. I wanted to say something smart or bold to let him know I was strong, but over his shoulder I caught a glimpse of Balthazar sneaking out of one of the iron doors with a handful of guards. A wave of sickness roiled in my gut, and the Colosseum began to close in on me.
“What is it?” Nils grabbed my shoulders.
“Balthazar …” I muttered. “Gather our people and tell them to prepare for battle. And find all the healers or anyone with special abilities like Thatcher.”
He nodded and ran off. I shoved my way through the crowd, calling out for Claudius and my mother. Someone pointed me in their direction. They were too far away and a sea of people separated us. I slammed my rod onto the dirt, shaking the ground. The crowd parted, and I was able to sprint across the arena floor to Claudius.
I grabbed his arm and shouted, “This is a trap. Balthazar is locking all of us in here. He’s going to unleash something horrible!”
Claudius scoped the area, his brow furrowed and eyes glaring. He pulled his golden sword from its sheath and said, “Protect your mother and the others. I’ll gather my warriors to create a barrier between the beasts and them.”
He began shouting to nearby men and women, explaining the situation. As they began building a human barricade in the center of the arena, I ran around with my mother to all of the non-fighting residents. We ordered them to get to the opposite side of the Colosseum: something horrible was coming. Though their screams and shouts filled the air, I could still hear the snarling and growling beasts waiting behind the iron gates at the far end of the Colosseum. My mother and I continued ushering people back against the farthest wall, working our way through the pandemonium. The gates began opening and I caught a glimpse of what was about to join us. My stomach melted into a p
ool of acid.
Lions. Balthazar was sending in a tribe of ravenous lions.
Claudius’s voice echoed over everyone as he shouted orders to his line of warriors. The hoards of people shrieked as they continued running to the farthest walls. I finally found my CeeCee among the crowd—her snow-white hair called out like a beacon of safety. She was huddled with a group of healers who were on standby.
In the stadium around us, the residents who had chosen not to come cheered and whistled like banshees. Their excitement buzzed like a hornet’s nest. Balthazar was going to give them the show of a lifetime. They wanted blood. They lusted for it. I cringed as I witnessed scantily clad harlots dancing between the rows, exposing their bodies for sips of wine, or performing more licentious acts with no shame. The cheering grew louder and more noxious as the lions began their prowl.
I reached CeeCee and shouted, “They’re coming! Get Thatcher and the other kids out of here. You must know a way. My mother can help you.”
CeeCee bowed slightly. “It’d be an honor, Charity Bachar.”
My mother grasped my wrist. “I don’t want to lose you, Jordan!”
I pried her hand away and shoved her into CeeCee. “You won’t. Now go help get the kids out of this death trap!”
CeeCee and my mother scurried away and began gathering up any young children they could. I had no idea how they’d get out, but I trusted CeeCee would get them to safety. I turned back to search for Nils, but a stampede of frantic people shoved me out of the way, knocking me over. I dropped to the ground and heard my iron rod clang to the dirt somewhere. People stomped over my body, charging to get out of the way. I fought to get to my feet, but the constant stream of people made it difficult to get my footing. The rod kept getting kicked farther and farther away.
The gates must’ve been fully open because I heard the roaring and raging lions come thrashing into the Colosseum. The sound of swords scraping against claws and teeth filled the air, along with the gnashing of jaws and bellows of agony. I pictured the lions shredding humans left and right. I had to get up and stop this! I called on my magic shield and sent forth a bubble of protection around me, which sent anyone back who came in contact. I felt awful sending them off like that, but I had to get to my rod. Once they realized what was happening, they avoided me so I was able to finally get up and run over to the rod. I snatched it up and darted toward Claudius and his barrier of warriors.
The lions were clawing and tearing through the men and women who were doing their best to fight them back with their swords. Some of the beasts had busted through the barrier and were attacking the other people as they ran toward the farthest wall for safety. Limbs were torn apart, bodies splattered everywhere, and the audience howled in delight.
I made it to Claudius and stood before him, slamming my rod onto the dirt. The entire foundation of the Colosseum trembled and shook like an earthquake. The lions stopped in their tracks, confused and disoriented. Then Claudius and his warriors counter-attacked the beasts with greater vigor and determination, slaughtering them one by one. As the lions started hitting the ground, the warriors grew more confident. They began to dominate the arena floor. The crowd yelled and chanted words I couldn’t make out. Was it an incantation?
“Jordan!”
Amidst the mob, Nils spotted me. We beelined toward one another, him favoring his good leg.
“Isabella and Lily are trying to cast a spell of protection over all of us, but their magic is being blocked,” he panted.
My instincts pulled my gaze straight up to the VIP box. It was no surprise that Balthazar stood at the ledge, instructing the audience like an orchestra to keep chanting. And I wasn’t in the slightest bit shocked to see Counselor Magnus by his side. The warlock leaned slightly forward in a mock bow when he noticed me scowling at him.
“Magnus,” I spat.
Nils peered up to the VIP box. “Of course.”
“I am going to kill him. Where’s Benjamin?”
“Don’t be reckless, Jordy.”
“If I don’t stop this spell, we’re done. Just tell me where he is!”
Nils pointed to the pack of warriors. “On the front lines.”
I turned to run, but Nils grabbed my shoulder. “Be careful.”
“I always am.” I grinned.
He didn’t return the gesture. “They’re gonna need a leader when this is over.”
“And they’ll have one.”
I called up my shield and sprinted over to Benjamin, then yanked him away from the battle line. Without a word, he shifted into his eagle form, spreading his golden wings and flying off. He swept across the floor, then swooped down and picked me up with his talons. I kept the magical shield up around us.
“The VIP box!” I pointed.
We flew high above the gruesome scene on the Colosseum floor that resembled a carpet of blood. As we moved in closer to the VIP box, I aimed the rod in preparation to blast Magnus and Balthazar into a black hole of oblivion. Some assistance would be great …
Benjamin leveled out, getting in line with the VIP box, and I aimed the rod. Balthazar smirked, as though he considered my efforts to stop him futile. He glanced with confidence to where Magnus had just been standing seconds ago, but when he saw the warlock was gone, his narrow blue eyes went from cockiness to terror. Magnus’s sudden departure wasn’t a big shocker—for me anyway. I had expected it. His time would come … Right now it was Balthazar’s time. I fired the first of the iron rod’s seven allotted charges. Golden-white streaks of lightning struck Balthazar with a violent fury, torching him in an instant. His flaming body fell over the side of the balcony and dropped into the pit of treacherous lions. The animals watched the smoldering remains, seemingly mesmerized. The audience gaped in stunned silence, which meant the blocking spell was no longer in effect. Isabella and Lily immediately deployed their magic again, creating an enormous electric cage around the lions.
The audience began booing and tossing their goblets down to the floor. Their outrage spread like wildfire and many began jumping over the wall. They were in a frenzied bloodlust, viciously trying to murder more of our people with their bare hands and teeth. Claudius and his warriors began handling them, but the hoards were beginning to make their way down. I had to stop these deranged lunatics before they made it to the area floor and outnumbered us.
I shouted to Benjamin, “Circle us around the place, starting from top to bottom.”
He flew up to the top rows and began lapping the Colosseum. I held out the rod, my heart heavy over what I was about to do. I didn’t want to torch the entire place, but they had been given a choice and they chose death. I fired off the second of seven charges; the arc of electricity extended from the rod and continuously flooded into the rows of crazed residents. Their robes lit up in flames and their shrieks filled the air, echoing into the open sky. Benjamin kept looping around the Colosseum as I continued blowtorching the place.
When we landed on the floor, the entire arena smelled of charred bodies, burnt flesh, and blood. Smoke billowed upward to the violet twilight. I dropped to my knees and sobbed. Nils bent down and hoisted me up into his arms.
“It’s okay, Jordy,” he murmured into my ear.
But it wasn’t okay. I’d taken so many lives. How was that different than what Balthazar had done? I buried my face in his neck and whimpered softly, ignoring the voices wafting around us. I didn’t want to hear anyone.
“Because of you, many will live,” whispered Nils.
“But so many died.”
He limped away, carrying me off somewhere. “The healers are triaging the wounded. CeeCee and your mother got all the children out before the lions attacked. All will be well.”
He held me in his arms and continued walking, fighting through the pain that had to be shooting up his leg. The scent of burning flesh and blood grew distant and the air cooler. I opened my eyes and saw that we were outside. Free of the Colosseum. High above in the dusky sky, the guiding star twinkled like a je
wel. Sprinkles of golden light fell down and covered us. My pain eased. My sorrow lessened.
Nils set me down next to a tree where my mother and the children had made a camp. My mother sat next to me and stroked my cheek, tucking the loose strands of hair behind my ears. “You did what you had to do,” she whispered.
I didn’t feel joyful over our victory, but a sense of calm came over me. I peered up to the guiding star again and whispered, “Thank you.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
In the morning the sun came up over the mountains, bringing me back to the living. I woke up with my head in my mother’s lap and my legs draped over Claudius.
“Seems like old times …” I yawned, sitting up. “How long was I out?”
“The entire night,” said my mother. “You needed it.”
“We all needed it,” added Claudius. “I made sure to keep everyone together.”
I glanced around our makeshift camp in the park a few blocks away from the dreaded white marble monstrosity looming at the center of the city. I was grateful to see so many survivors of Alexandria scattered throughout the grass. At least three thousand strong. Maybe more.
Claudius gave me a hearty pat on the back. “You did a fine job, Jo. I’m quite proud of you.”
I nodded, searching the area for Nils. I wanted to put the previous night and the massacre behind me.
“Nils is gathering supplies with some of the elders,” said my mother.
Not sure how she knew I was looking for him, but mothers seem to know such things. My cheeks flushed when she said his name. “I’m actually looking for Benjamin. The eagle shifter,” I lied.
“He’s probably still sleeping.” My mother pointed to a tent at the far end of the camp.
“CeeCee is okay? The children?” I asked.
“They’re fine,” said Claudius, standing up and stretching his back.
My mother rose and reached down to help me up. “CeeCee went back to the Colosseum after she brought us here. She was able to heal a lot of the wounded.”
“Let’s get some food in you,” said Claudius, ushering me toward the center of our camp.
