Shantago III: The Rock of Tahguhl

by Penn, Nicholas

  Jordan looked puzzled for a moment as Octavious sported a big smile on his face. “Do you give up?” the tree asked with anticipation. “Of course not, I’m merely figuring out the riddle in my head.”

  Suddenly, the clever answer clicked in Jordan’s mind. “Okay, here it goes. You wouldn’t want me to light the wood burning stove because the wood in the stove might be a cousin of yours, and that would be way to gruesome.”

  The tree laughed. “Okay, so you pick the oil lamp?”

  Jordan quickly jabbed back, “I don’t think so, my friend. I’m just getting started. I wouldn’t pick the oil lamp either, because if I did, I would be served up as the main course for twelve little monsters.” Jordan had a look of victory as he continued. “You almost had me fooled, riddle master. Yes, you wanted me to pick the oil lamp, but that would be wrong, wouldn’t it?”

  The tree grew more infuriated at Jordan as his branches swayed wildly, shaking some leaves to the ground. “You are stalling! I don’t have all day, so your time is now up. Which one do you pick the oil lamp or the stove?”

  Jordan pushed one of the dancing toggles aside as he said, “Neither, and I’ll tell you why.” Octavious Branch seemed stumped as Jordan exclaimed, “You were trying to trick me!” The tree seemed stunned as he listened intently.

  Jordan walked around the tree as he explained. “I already told you that I wouldn’t pick the oil lamp or the wood burning stove. So then, Octavious Branch, just what is the correct answer?”

  Jordan picked up a twig that had fallen from the tree. He then flipped up the twig with his thumb. “The correct answer…. A smart person, such as I, would first light the match. Only then would he be able to light the stove or the lamp.”

  Octavious Branch let out a high-pitched screech while shaking his branches with fury. This time both the robe and satchel tumbled down out of the tree. Jordan quickly scooped them up off the ground and started to run. “Not so fast! Where do you think you are going?”

  The tree then commanded his children. “Tagel Impetum…Toggles, attack!” The twelve crazy-eyed toggles began circling Jordan, growling and dancing wildly, with their razor- sharp teeth glistening in the late-day sun.

  Jordan’s pulse quickened as he realized that this could now be his unexpected end. (Spoken of by the gypsy who roamed the streets of Willoughby Woods.) He saw what those nasty toggles could do, and in just a few bites, he could be deleted.

  Jordan closed his eyes as he said a quick prayer. “Please, Lord, I’ve come too far to fail. Get me out of this mess.”

  When Jordan opened his eyes, there were no toggles to be seen. The big, tall tree remained, but it was just that, a tree, and nothing more. He squinted up at the sky as he said, “Thank you.” Jordan was so at peace that he didn’t need to look back any longer.

  A serene feeling came over him as he could see the toggle caves just up ahead. He knew it was now meant to be, and that he would soon be with his true love. Pushing forward, he now had a renewed spirit, having an assurance that things were going to work out for the best.

  The Truth Exposed

  The leaves were brown and crunchy as the squad walked cautiously through the darkened forest. The four of them tried to be as quiet as possible, listening and looking for any sudden signs of danger. Each team member had their guns pulled out and prepared to sight in on anything that moved. They were ready to attack at a moment’s notice.

  Walking a path through the wooded area, they soon came to a fork in the road. This was enough to make the crew stop for a minute. Matt spoke first. “So, which way do we go, right or left?”

  Nick studied the two paths a moment before answering, “It’s hard to say, really.”

  Two wooden signs were positioned there at the crossroads. One pointed towards the high road which read: Willoughby Falls twenty miles. The lower sign posted a rather stern warning: Dead end. Do not enter.

  Nick stood back from the two signs as he asked each one of them the same question, “Which way would you go, and why?” Aaron chimed in with his answer first. “I would take the high road. That one sounds less threatening.”

  As Aaron decided, Grant studied the two signs. “I agree. They wouldn’t have posted do not enter if someone didn’t want us to, although there are muddy footprints going in the opposite direction. That’s a tough call.”

  With a look of anger on his face, Matt sounded off. “You guys are pathetic. Can’t you see? It’s a trap. Someone has reversed the signs on us. Look how fresh the dirt is, all piled up by the wood. Someone has pulled both signs out of the ground and repositioned them. See the wet lines there on the signs? Whoever did this was an idiot and didn’t think we would figure it out.”

  Nick thought that Matt’s evidence was most convincing. “What Matt is saying makes perfect sense. Someone is trying to throw us off track. We’ve been tripped up in the past by trickery and deceit. We don’t want to fall for that again.” The other two were less convinced, but decided to go along with Matt and Nick anyways as the squad made their way down the lower path.

  The team was walking quiet and alert through the forest when Matt suddenly made the statement, “So, I’d like to address the elephant in the room. I want to get this out in the open.” He got everyone’s attention as they stopped. “My question is, what’s up with Jordan?” He turned to Nick as he said, “I figured since he is your grandchild, you would know.”

  Each person on the team was glaring at Nick with anticipation. “Well, what exactly are you referring to?”

  Aaron answered, “Let’s start with the treatments he was required to finish. How is that working out?

  They could tell that Nick didn’t want to talk about it as he fidgeted for a spell before answering. “Well, he ended his therapy sessions awhile ago with the doctor. I guess he defeated the demons that were inside his head, I really don’t know.”

  Grant put his arm around his father as he said softly, “You know that’s not the treatments they are referring to.”

  Nick first glanced over at Grant, then the rest of the unit before saying, “I . . . I didn’t know that you guys knew about it.” Whatever Nick was hiding was about to be exposed. “He had been going to the doctor once a week or so. They told him at first that it was nothing to worry about and he would be okay soon enough. I think around treatment ten or eleven they did another x-ray.”

  Nick paused for a moment. “The tumor had grown much larger in his brain than the doctors first imagined. His doctors essentially gave up on him once the rapid growth was discovered.”

  “There was a second opinion that wasn’t any better. They said the tumor had grown too large; it was inoperable. He only had a month, a couple weeks, they really weren’t sure.”

  Nick swallowed hard before continuing. The messed-up part is that he doesn’t even know. He’s living life like he’s got plenty of time left. In his mind he is walking the woods and streets, still trying to bring back his girlfriend, Piper.”

  “His parents are to blame for not telling him the grim news. Maybe it’s for the best? I don’t know. At least he doesn’t have to worry about dying in his last days.”

  Everyone turned away as sadness covered their faces. “You can see why it’s mandatory that we find the boy before it is too late.” Nick grew increasingly upset as he shared. “I have to get to Jordan and make things right. He was awfully upset when we last saw him, and he deserves to know.”

  After the truth was revealed, each of the guys began loading their supplies to head out; all except for Matt. After a bit, Nick wondered what had Matt so preoccupied. That’s when he saw– Matt was standing toe to toe with a monstrous grizzly.

  The bear’s mouth and fur were stained red with blood from a previous kill. The bear snarled a threatening roar, which quickly caught everyone’s attention. “No one move a muscle. Movement will spook him, and he will go off on very one.” Nick turned to Grant, softy saying, “You are the best shot. When it’s time, aim for his head.”

  Nic
k handed Grant the sniper rifle and he took aim at the beast. That’s when Matt suddenly bolted, running in the opposite direction as the crazed monster vigorously followed. The team shouted “No!” as Matt headed for a large oak tree. Aaron followed close behind, praying that his brother would make it.

  Matt was always known for his impressive tree climbing when they were younger. As he started up the tree, the bear caught up with him, slicing Matt’s thigh with his razor-sharp claws. Matt screamed out, grimacing in pain. “Ow! My leg!” That’s when Grant took the shot. He dropped the bear dead cold with a single bullet to the back of the skull.

  Aaron quickly made it to his side first, followed by the rest of the team. He applied firm pressure to Matt’s wound, hoping to slow the open vein from gushing. Nick carefully wrapped his shirt around Matt’s thigh to help control the bleeding.

  Aaron spoke in a low-key voice, trying to keep Matt calm while administering first-aid. “Brother, are you okay?”

  Pushing through the extensive pain, Matt retorted, “What do you think? My leg was just sliced in two by a crazed were-bear.” They both laughed as Aaron fashioned a make-do tourniquet with his belt for his ailing leg.

  “You know what? I guess you come in pretty handy when needed.” That was Matt’s subtle way of letting his brother know that he appreciated the help.

  Trying to be a tough guy, Matt stood on his hurt leg once the pain subsided, but quickly fell to the ground. In his mind, Matt’s weak leg was a hindrance for the team. The injury was just too much to bear as he suddenly felt defenseless and exposed.

  Looking up at the sun, which was just about to set, Matt made a heartfelt decision. “You guys go ahead without me. I will only slow you down. Besides, it’s just a flesh wound. I’ll be okay, I promise. You guys can come back and get me once you find Jordan.” Matt grimaced some more before finishing his statement. “Just give me a peacemaker and some ammo and I’ll be right here waiting for you.”

  His brother frowned as the rest of the regiment gathered around him. Aaron spoke as the other guys just shook their heads in unison. “Not this time, old friend.”

  The three began emptying out their backpacks and hurriedly tied them together, making a temporary cot to carry him in. Grant had a pup tent in his satchel, which would work perfectly for their make-do stretcher. “Are you guys sure? I’m fully content resting by the tree till you return.” Nick and Aaron assured Matt that he was not going to be left behind. “This time… we stick together.”

  World 8-4: The Rock of Tahguhl

  As Jordan limped into the toggle caves, he noticed a brightly glowing emerald-green rock, which lit up the entire room. The Toggle Handbook described the rock perfectly, brilliant in every way. Powerful waves whimsically gleamed off the sides of the rock. There was no doubt that Jordan had found the Rock of Tahguhl.

  In the middle of the cavernous dirt room sat an old well, complete with rope and bucket. The well had aged wood affixed around the top. There were several characters etched in the decrepit wood doing battle. Most of the figures resembled toggles–all except four, that is. Jordan figured that the bricks around the well were hundreds, if not thousands, of years old.

  All of a sudden, a figure arose from out of the shadows. Moving very slyly while clapping his hands, the evil one, Shantago, appeared. “Bravo! Bravo! Good show, young man.”

  Jordan’s pulse quickened as he gawked with disbelief at who stood just before him. Shantago made his way from the other side of the green rock. “I guess I’ve underestimated you, Son of Nick. I should have known that the toggle spies didn’t have a clue as to just how crafty you really are. I guess I should have finished you off when I had the chance. Oh well, what does it matter now, right?”

  Jordan had a look of astonishment as he stood frozen in his tracks. “I have just one question for you; how did you defeat the Indo-zilladile?” Before Jordan could answer, Shantago motioned him off and said with a devious grin, “I guess you truly are the chosen one. So let me ask you, Son of Nick. Here we are at the end of the day. Just what are your intentions? Are you going to try one last time to do me in?”

  Jordan answered lickety-split. “Yes, I am, so get prepared for a fight to the death.” Jordan commenced bracing himself for a fight, but his damaged leg gave out from under him as he slumped over. Shantago laughed weakly.

  “Relax, Son of Nick, we’ve tried all of this before and where did it get us? I say let bygones be bygones. How about a truce between us right here and now?”

  Shantago put out his hand. “What do you say old chap? Let’s bring back our loved ones. After that, if you want to try and kill me, then so be it. Besides, killing you would only take up more of my precious time. I’ll throw you a bone and let you live.”

  Jordan had a crafty smile on his face as he agreed to the truce. “Shantago, I accept your offer, and to show you just what kind of man I am, I’ll let you bring your true love through the life portal first.”

  Shantago quickly made his way over to the glowing rock. “Well, you didn’t have a choice on the matter. I was going first regardless, but thank you, Son of Nick. How thoughtful.”

  Shantago put his hand on the rock as he spoke words right out of the Toggle Handbook, “Seek ye now, and forever ye shall seek, but bring forth ye loved one to the life portal and forever together ye shall be.”

  Like magic, a green portal emerged from the glowing emerald rock. After a few seconds, the beautiful toggle queen made her way out of the portal. Jordan couldn’t believe his eyes as the queen began speaking rather sharply to Shantago.

  The toggle queen seemed a bit agitated as she threw her hand up in the air with attitude. Her majesty was all adorned in black, with her scorpion necklace loosely affixed, dangling low around her neck. Her face was partially covered with a mask that fashioned death itself. It was no secret; she meant business, and there was definitely trouble in paradise.

  Jordan tried to move in closer so he could hear the conversation, which seemed to be getting very heated. The pain in his leg slowed him down as he pulled his body to the edge of the well for a better listen.

  Jordan overheard part of the conversation. The queen blamed Shantago for her death. “You weren’t there when I needed you most. It’s your fault that I died, and now, you are dead too!”

  That’s when things took a sharp turn. Jordan squinted up at the quarreling couple, only to see the horror written all over Shantago’s face. As the queen moved out of the way, Jordan locked eyes with Shantago, who grimaced with sudden pain and anguish.

  Jordan looked Shantago up and down, making a startling discovery: A long, jagged blade was protruding from Shantago’s abdominal region. He quickly pulled the blade from his stomach and dropped it to the dirt floor. Jordan immediately glanced over at the queen, who wore a devilish smile on her face.

  Shantago instantly fell to his knees and began crawling to the side of the well. Jordan was all too familiar with the sorrow and heartache that Shantago was suffering from. Yes, Jordan knew that feeling all too well.

  Shantago slowly made it up to the top of the fount and tried to speak, but the pain prevented him from forming any words. The agony of being double-crossed by the queen hurt the most. Shantago glanced over her way one last time. She just stood there, giggling wildly at her former lover.

  Shantago reached out for Jordan’s hand, as if to say, help me. Jordan was hesitant at first, but after seeing Shantago’s hurting abandonment, Jordan offered his assistance. He went to grab his hand, but Shantago instantly pulled away.

  He gave Jordan a long, bone-chilling stare before abruptly flipping himself over the side of the well and into the darkened abyss. In disbelief, Jordan watched him plunge headfirst to his watery death. While he fell, Shantago managed to release a slow, noxious bellow, which echoed recklessly off the cave’s rocks. Shantago’s plea was simple, yet heartbreaking. Jordan felt the sting of every syllable that was formed as he shouted out, “Why, Robin? Why?”

  It was hard for Jorda
n to fathom what just transpired. With his heart racing, he glanced back at the toggle queen with disgust. She sneered rashly with enjoyment as she picked up the knife and licked the blade clean, which was stained with her lost love’s blood.

  ************************************

  There was certain evilness about the queen as she stood face-to-face with Jordan. Her eyes oozed a fiery red while smoke danced off her eyelashes. Yes, her heterochromia eyes were almost hypnotizing to Jordan. Only for dramatic effect, she began growling. He was frightened a bit for his life, while the queen could sense his frail weakness.

  Without notice, she flipped her ponytail back and stuck her nose up in the air. She kicked her leg against her backside while making a snooty remark, “Um hmm, I have no interest in you.” With a wink, she blew a kiss in his direction.

  Like a stone-cold diva, the empress locked eyes with Jordan, before laughing like a child and walking through the open portal. Both the queen and the portal quickly vanished. He sat all alone there in the empty room, with nothing but his thoughts to keep him company.

  It was obvious Jordan’s plan worked, but at what cost? The Toggle Handbook was very specific. If the processes written in the book were not completed, and in exact order, sudden doom would follow. Jordan thought more about it, trying to come to terms with everything that just occurred. Shame on Shantago; he should have been more vigilant.

  Grief now set heavy on Jordan’s shoulders. In his head, the demons returned. He tried not to let it bother him, but somehow he felt remorse for his archrival and the tragic way that it ended. Jordan’s heart went out to Shantago as this thought continued to run through Jordan’s troubled mind. Is Piper going to do the same to me?

  And Now, the End is Near

  An evil cry suddenly came howling from deep within the well. Taken aback, Jordan thought, Great. Now what? He glanced over just in time to see a hand reaching up from the pits of hell. Shantago was back from the dead.