Pierce turned and leaned against the railing. “In my defense, you indicated the likelihood of your presence in this city to be rather low.”
“That was before,” said Ekala. “I need your help.”
“Color me intrigued.”
“Zarim’s dead,” she said.
The normally-aloof thief was unexpectedly taken off-guard. “What?”
Ekala leaned against the railing, staring out at the ocean. “He was captured by the Dreadnoughts. We tried to rescue him, but during the escape...”
Pierce stared at the empty glass. He sighed. “My sympathies.” He stood upright and paced slightly on the balcony, trying to look anywhere but at his guest. It was clear he didn’t feel comfortable being in this position. Internally, he debated how best to proceed. “I don’t suppose you came all this way just to inform me of your loss.”
“No, I’ve got a good reason for being here,” said Ekala.
“Oh?” Pierce turned and faced her. “Do tell.”
She glanced inside his penthouse and gestured with her head. “How about we both go in and have a drink?”
He held his arm towards the entrance and bowed slightly. “After you.”
Ekala stepped inside the penthouse and Pierce followed. He slid the balcony door shut and indicated to the furniture on his way to the bar. “Make yourself comfortable.”
A couch was pushed up against the wall with two chairs perpendicular on each end, forming sort of a semi-circle around a small table with a glass top and an ornately-carved wooden base. Ekala chose the seat closest to the balcony. Pierce returned and handed her a drink and sat across from her in the second chair. He laid his arms on the rests, his right hand hanging slightly over the edge, holding the glass at the top, gently swirling the liquid inside.
Ekala sipped her drink first. “Zee’s last words were something about the fifth stone being on the other side. That Vortai had someone over there. And that he needed to go there.”
“You’ve lost me already, I’m afraid.”
“From what Tanus said, Zee was taunting the Dreadnought who killed him. Now look, my guy was arrogant, but tempting death like that, without good reason, doesn’t make any sense,” said Ekala. “So it got me thinking—what did he mean by the other side?”
Pierce carefully brought the glass to his lips. After he took a sip, his lips curled back to cope with the hard bite of the alcohol. “I really couldn’t say.”
“Here’s what I think—we’re dealing with mystic crap, right? So what if the other side can only be reached by dying?” asked Ekala.
Pierce’s face contorted. “So...you’re saying that one of these stones...it’s in the afterlife?”
She nodded. “Think about it. Why else would he practically ask to be killed?”
“You said he was a captive, so he was doubtlessly tortured. Perhaps it broke him and he just couldn’t go on any longer?”
“No.” Her head shook fervently. “Not Zee. Never.”
Pierce puffed his cheeks and exhaled. “I know it’s difficult to hear—”
“Then explain his last words,” said Ekala. “Makes no sense.”
“Fair enough.” He held up his hand in a gesture of agreement. “Let’s assume that he did intend to go to the afterlife to find this stone. What does that mean?”
“It means there’s a way back, there has to be,” said Ekala. “And it means I need to find a way to help him.”
Pierce scoffed. “Help him? How, by dying? And why come to me? Don’t want your friends to get their hands dirty? Afraid to do yourself in?”
Ekala had to restrain herself from throwing her glass at Pierce. “No...” Her tone indicated her lack of amusement. “There’s a man—rumored to have communion with the dead. He’s who I need to find.”
“And what man might this be?” asked Pierce.
Ekala raised her finger. “Don’t play games, Templar. We both know who I’m talking about.”
Pierce gave her a grin of incredulousness as he shook his head. “What makes you think I would know anything about this?”
“Because you’re the kind of man who knows things,” said Ekala. “Where is he? Where’s Nasam?”
Pierce stood and paced slightly. He finished his drink and set the empty glass down on the table. “If I were to know...what’s in it for me?”
Ekala stood as well and set her glass down beside his. She stepped over to him. “You gave me your address. You said it’d be interesting to have a partner. And not having Zarim around means life is less challenging for you, and if there’s one thing Templar loves, it’s a challenge.”
“You know you’re completely off,” said Pierce. “It’s all about the money.”
Ekala released a loud “HAH!” She slowly walked around the room, admiring the size of the penthouse. “I looked into you, Mr. Pierce. You come from very privileged roots. You steal because it’s fun, not because you need to. You need the challenge. Otherwise, what’s the point?”
Pierce turned around and stepped closer to Ekala. “Interesting theory. And if I were to tell you it’s total nonsense?”
Ekala scoffed. “You’re not as good a liar as you think. Not with me, anyway.”
Pierce took his glass and went back to the bar to refill it. “You’re quite an intriguing woman, Ms. Cosari. I’ve thought so ever since I first saw you on the Persephone.”
Ekala paused for a moment and then realization passed over her face. “When we saw you in Serenity without your mask, I thought you looked familiar.”
“I am curious—why come alone? Why not bring your friends with?”
“They’re off to Xanadar to speak to Quand about the next move,” said Ekala. “If they can hide the four stones while we go after the fifth, that’ll save time and force Vortai to split his priorities.”
“Divide and conquer. Although I’m sure you realize whatever forces Vortai has won’t be easily matched.”
“That’s why we need Nasam.”
“Indeed we do,” said Pierce. “Well, you are correct, I do know where he is. And I will help you. If only because that means you and Zarim will be in debt to me, and I find that intriguing.” He raised his glass. “Here’s to resurrection, my dear.”
In the middle of the ocean was an island with the only sign of human activity being a shack. The island’s sole inhabitant, other than the animals who also populated it, sat at a pond near a waterfall. He drove his walking stick just below the surface of the small pool of water. Slowly, he began stirring, following the stick with some herbs sprinkled over the swirling liquid. The man who held the stick wore a dark, brown robe. His head was bald, yet his face bore a growing white beard around his mouth.
“Yes...yes, I see it...”
His gray eyes sparkled as he stared into the pool. The old man was fixated on the liquid. Then he gasped and backed away from the water. His body quivered and shook, those gray eyes staring at the pool with horror, as if it had just committed an unspeakable act before his eyes.
“It can’t be...” he said.
“Nasam.”
The old man’s eyes slowly went from the water to the figure who spoke his name. And he saw that figure, towering above him, dressed in purple with a mask and a cape. By his side was a woman. The man reached out with one hand and hefted Nasam to his feet.
“Nasam, can you hear me?”
At those words, Nasam seemed to snap from his trance. “Templar...?”
The famed thief gave a crooked grin as a response. “Good to see you still remember me, old friend.”
“What happened?” asked Nasam. “What’s going on?”
Templar appeared to struggle with this question for a moment. That only served to heighten Nasam’s tension and he reached for the young thief. “Templar, what’s happening?”
“Nasam, you’ve been here for some time,” said Templar. “But now, I have a favor to ask.”
“Of course...” Nasam slowly nodded as his gaze traveled from Templar to the young wo
man. “It’s her, isn’t it? She seeks something?”
Ekala took a step forward, nodding a bit as she did. “That’s true. I need to reach someone in the next world.”
“The realm of the dead...the Netherealm,” muttered Nasam, and he followed that up by shaking his head. “Such a thing is not permissible. I’m sorry, but I cannot help y—”
“You don’t get it,” said Ekala. “I don’t need to speak with him...I need to be there.”
Nasam blinked a few times and then he looked at Templar. Then back to Ekala, staring at her for a few moments before he finally said, “and you think this is supposed to make things easier?”
“No, that’s not it at all,” said Ekala. “What I mean is that Zarim is in the next world or the afterlife or—”
“The Netherealm,” said Nasam.
“Whatever you want to call it,” she said. “Whatever it is, he’s stuck there. And I need to get him out. But there’s more than just that.”
Nasam slowly began to shake his head as he leaned on his walking stick. “The barriers of reality exist for a reason, child. One cannot simply traverse them as easily as you wish. The magicks required to perform such a task carry incredible consequences with them. You know not what you ask. Now leave this place.” He turned his back to her, slowly walking towards his home.
“The Soulstones,” said Ekala.
Nasam halted. “What of them?”
“You saw something in that water. Just now, didn’t you?”
He turned to face her and came closer. “There is great danger. A dark shadow is falling.”
“There’s a man after the Soulstones. If he gets his hands on them, that dark shadow will definitely come. His name’s Vortai,” said Ekala.
Nasam pursed his lips and followed it with a slow nod. “Him. The past comes back to haunt me.”
Ekala tilted her head to the side. “You know Vortai?”
“He was a student of mine, once long ago,” said Nasam. “I cast him out when I realized what his aspirations were.”
“So you know what we’re up against,” said Ekala. “One of the Soulstones is in the next world. Zarim let himself be killed so he could go after it, and before he died, he said something that indicated Vortai already had some help on the other side.”
The old mage sighed. “Child, do you know what the Netherealm is?”
Ekala shrugged. “Not really. Never put much stock in religion.”
“It is a place where one’s life is relived. Those who suffer regret will find torment by their actions,” said Nasam. “These poor souls will not be aware of the reality of their situation. If your Zarim is one such person, it will be difficult to get him to realize his mission.”
“All the more reason why I need to go there,” said Ekala. “Please, you know what Vortai’s like, and you know what sort of danger there is in allowing him to get all five stones.”
“You are, of course, correct,” he said. “Of course I know the stone’s location. I hoped it would be safe there, but it seems Vortai is more powerful than I remember.”
Ekala’s eyes nearly brightened. “So you’ll help me?”
“Help us, in fact.” Templar had been standing off to the side, allowing Ekala to deal with Nasam on her own. But now he chose to intervene. “You can’t go in there alone.”
“She will not be alone, I will accompany her.” Nasam pointed at Templar. “But you, my friend, must remain.”
“Why?” asked Templar.
“I must go so I may bring both us back when the time comes,” said Nasam. “Transporting two living souls into the Netherealm is difficult, but I am able to do it. However three souls would be beyond my power. You must remain here and watch over our bodies.
“But, I must add something—I make no guarantees about my ability to resurrect your friend. We shall retrieve the Soulstone and you can say goodbye. Anything more than that would not be possible.”
Ekala scoffed. “You’re kidding, right?”
Nasam’s eyelids slid shut and he slowly lowered his head in a mournful shake. “I’m afraid not. The laws of reality can be bent, but they cannot be broken. Not even by me.”
Ekala hadn’t considered the possibility that Zarim would be trapped in the Netherealm. She figured Nasam could resurrect him once they found him. But now to know that this would only bring back the Soulstone and not Zarim, she was starting to wonder if she really cared to go on without him.
“Is this acceptable?” asked Nasam.
“I guess we don’t have much of a choice, do we?” asked Ekala.
“Very well, then I shall prepare the spell.”
Nasam walked on, leaving behind Ekala and Templar. She sighed as she went to the pond, kneeling beside it and dipping her hands in the clear water. Templar stepped up behind her, his shadow falling over her.
“How do you know him?” she asked, her fingers moving aimlessly through the water.
“Before he exiled himself, he appraised some magical objects I procured,” said Templar. “After he came to this island, I continued to seek him out, bringing him different merchandise to appraise. In exchange for his services, I procure items for him.”
“What sort of items?”
“Books, mostly. Some supplies when he needs them.” Templar glanced at the shack. Silence filled the air for a few moments. Ekala apparently had nothing else to say, still pondering the mage’s words. Finally, he asked, “Do you believe him?”
“You mean, when he says he can’t bring back Zee?” asked Ekala.
Templar gave a nod.
“No, I don’t. I think it’s possible.” She took her hand out of the water and shook it dry, then stood and faced Templar. “And I’m going to see to it that Zee comes back. Otherwise, I’ll stay in the Netherealm with him.”
CHAPTER 27
Nasam’s home was hardly extravagant. Behind it was a fire pit with a mount to hang a pot and a small garden. Inside the shack, it was basically one large room with a rolled-up cot in the corner and a small table in the center. Shelves lined the walls, and these were stacked with books and various bottles containing tonics, herbs, and potions. Ekala’s eyes scanned the spines of the leather-bound volumes. All of them were books on the subject of magic. The glass bottles were of different sizes and shapes, and the contents of various colors. There were no labels, however, which meant Nasam must be able to recognize them solely by appearance, or perhaps smell.
The old mage gently pushed Ekala away and took a few jars from the shelves. He carried them to the table and knelt down, setting them out on the wooden surface. Templar leaned against the wall with his arms folded, watching as Nasam combined the ingredients in a small bowl. Templar crinkled his nose at the smell the mixture began producing. It was incredibly foul and stunk up the entire room. Nasam seemed undisturbed by it, and went back to the shelves and took a small box. Bringing it over to the table, he sat down and opened it.
“Ekala, please come.”
She looked away from the shelves and sat across from Nasam. He reached inside the small box and took out a pendant, consisting of a clear, orb-shaped gemstone. Nasam held the pendant to her and said, “put this on.”
Ekala did so, and once the chain was around her neck, she held the gem between her thumb and forefinger, examining it closely. When she looked up, she saw Nasam was now wearing a similar necklace. He raised the bowl to his lips and drank the mixture inside, then held it out for her. “Drink.”
Ekala took the bowl, watching Nasam as she did. The liquid was brown and smelled terrible. She almost dropped it when she brought it to her face. “What is this?”
“You must prepare yourself,” said Nasam. “This mixture will prevent your body from decomposing while your soul is in the Netherealm.”
“And the necklace?”
“It serves as a mystic anchor,” said Nasam. “This is why I fear I cannot help your friend, for he has no anchor.”
She said nothing, just sipped the liquid. It tasted even worse tha
n it smelled, and she coughed. The harshest alcohol she’d ever imbibed had nothing on this stuff. Her throat burned as the liquid flowed down it. With a motion of his hands, Nasam urged her to continue. Ekala steeled herself, then finally swallowed every last drop. She dropped the bowl on the table, wiping her lips with the back of her hand, trying to keep from retching.
“Ugh...that’s awful...”
“Now, close your eyes and let your body relax,” said Nasam.
Ekala took a deep breath and followed Nasam’s admonition, her hands resting on her knees.
“Breathe slowly...you should feel your body looser with each breath.”
She followed Nasam’s instructions to the letter, inhaling deeply through her nose, and slowly letting the air flow back out. She did indeed start to feel the tension in her muscles begin to fade. She focused on the sound of Nasam’s voice, and the looseness had grown. Now she felt like she was having trouble holding onto her body, like she was slipping away.
“Don’t fear it, allow yourself to lose your grip,” said Nasam. “You’re rising up, moving between the realms. You are crossing over now.”
It was like swimming underwater. Ekala felt a total freedom of movement, except without fear of drowning. Her soul moved away from her body, meeting some resistance, as if she were swimming against a current. She could still hear Nasam’s voice beside her and so she imagined she must still be in his little shack.
“Now open your eyes.”
“It didn’t work, did it—”
When she opened her eyes, she found she was somewhere else entirely. The sky was dark red and they were in a forested area. The trees were all without leaves and completely black, the trunks misshapen, their long, finger-like branches reaching out over the path that cut through the forest. Ekala looked down—her appearance was unchanged, even the pendant was still around her neck. But now, the orb had a soft glow to it.
“It means your anchor is working,” said Nasam from beside her. His appearance was also unchanged, but he no longer had his walking stick, nor did he appear to have any need for it. “Now, it is time to find what we came for.”
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