‘No, all I can see is the pits fifteen centuries ago. Hebro’s stood next to them staring at the centre.’ Stefan replied as he looked at Hebro and began to withdraw his hand.
‘Mother.’ Katla wailed softly as Hebro slumped forward slightly.
‘I’m fine daughter.’ Hebro replied as she took Katla’s hand and grasped it tightly.
‘I couldn’t stand to lose you now mother.’ Katla cried softly as she wrapped her free arm around Hebro and held her close.
‘Ok, it’s time to hit the pits.’ Stefan snapped as the room disappeared in a flash of light.
‘You really need to tell us when you’re gonna do that.’ Tahir snarled as he rubbed his stomach looking a little queasy.
‘Sorry.’ Stefan said softly looking down at his feet like a small child.
‘Cuz, I don’t mind travelling at the speed of thought, I just wish you’d let me know so I could prepare myself.’ Tahir replied breathing deeply before sniffing loudly.
‘Ok, so what are we looking for?’ Marissa asked quietly looking up at the George C. Page museum.
‘Something that doesn’t belong here.’ Stefan replied softly as he started walking around the main pit.
‘So, what do you mean, something that doesn’t belong here?’ Tahir asked as he caught up to Stefan who just smiled.
‘When I saw the image of the tar pits, I saw something that didn’t belong here, something from the Baltic which would never appear make it here without help.’ Stefan replied a malicious smile spreading across his face.
‘How’d it get here?’ Marissa asked shaking her head slightly as she looked back to where Hebro and Katla were stood.
‘When I appeared to the little group fifteen centuries ago I emerged from the Sea, I’d merged with the oceans and was watching from the depths. I think a small crustacean latched onto me as I emerged from the water, it must’ve become part of my robe and when I took the spear it enjoyed the ride.’ Hebro whispered in Marissa’s ear.
‘Jesus.’ Marissa screamed as her shoulders jumped up around her ears. ‘Don’t do that.’
‘Sorry.’ Hebro whispered as she dipped her head in apology.
‘And there it is.’ Stefan chuckled as he pointed at a small rock by the edge of the pool.
‘What is it?’ Tahir asked as he followed where Stefan was looking.
‘Hippasteria Phrygiana.’ Stefan replied softly as he pointed to a small fossilised crustacean on the rock.
‘A what now?’ Marissa asked as she bent down to look at the rock.
‘A sea star.’ Stefan replied quietly as he picked up the rock, turned it to show Tahir who was stood with his hand on his hips.
‘There’s no way that could be fossilised in fifteen centuries.’ Tahir said after a moment with his eyes closed.
‘You keep forgetting when ascended beings are in the mix things can get a little crazy.’ Hebro chuckled as she looked up at the sky as if waiting for something.
‘What you looking at?’ Stefan asked as he followed her gaze.
‘I’m getting the strangest feeling we’re being watched.’ Hebro replied as she started to glow ever so slightly.
‘Who could be keeping an eye on us?’ Tahir asked as he looked up to where Hebro was.
‘Marineus has gone, Vilstang and Aurinatus likewise, so who’s got the power to put the fear into you Hebbie? Marissa asked looking up at the sky and reaching into her pocket.
‘A gun won’t help Mary.’ Katla replied looking at Marissa’s hand.
‘I wasn’t going for a gun.’ Marissa chuckled as she pulled a pair of sunglasses from her inside pocket.
‘Sorry Mary.’ Katla mumbled as she looked across at Stefan who just smiled.
‘Daughter, you see things that aren’t there.’ Stefan growled softly his eyes glowed before returning to their normal colour.
‘Sorry father, I guess I’m just a little on edge.’ Katla mumbled softly as she looked down at her feet.
‘We’re all on edge Katie.’ Marissa chuckled as she turned on the spot stopping every so often to look at the rooftops she could see.
‘You never seem to get spooked.’ Katla whispered as she moved closer to Marissa who held out her arm and wrapped it around Katla and squeezed slightly.
‘Katie, I’ve had years of training and practise to get good at not showing my fears. I’ll let you into a secret though, I’m terrified.’ Marissa hissed softly in Katla’s ear.
‘Glad to hear that.’ Katla replied softly as she pulled Marissa tighter.
‘So, what’s the significance of the sea star?’ Tahir asked as he picked up the stone and looked at the small fossil standing proudly from the side.
‘It was just along for the ride.’ Hebro whispered as she moved to stand in front of Tahir who was still turning the stone in his fingers.
‘Are you so sure?’ Tahir asked as he looked at the fossil and ran his fingers over the ridges.
‘What you thinking?’ Stefan asked quietly his eyes flashing for a second.
‘Even with Hebro here bringing this little guy over fifteen centuries ago something isn’t quite adding up.’ Tahir replied softly as he pushed his fingers through the stone.
‘Whoa, when did you learn to do that?’ Stefan asked shocked at what he was seeing.
‘Hey, it’s new to me too.’ Tahir replied softly as he waggled his fingers through the stone. ‘Give me your hand Hebbie.’
‘I beg your pardon.’ Hebro growled softly as she reached out instinctively.
Slowly Tahir took Hebro’s fingers and tried to pull them back through the stone. ‘Hebbie are you trying to stop me?’
‘No Tahir I’m not, this is fascinating for me as well.’ Hebro replied softly as she tried again to push her fingers into the stone.
‘Katie, can you pass through this stone?’ Tahir asked softly as he let Hebro’s fingers go.
‘I’ll try.’ Katla replied as she held out her own hand, the look on her face when she couldn’t pass her hand through the stone was a picture.
‘My turn.’ Marissa whispered as her hand slipped through easily.
‘Ok, what is it about you two now that allows you to do things beings who ascended beyond this plane of existence over a billion years ago can’t?’ Stefan asked as he reached forward, the look on Hebro and Katla’s faces when Stefan couldn’t pass his hand through.
‘Don’t look at us, we haven’t got a clue.’ Tahir replied softly as he retracted his hand through the stone.
‘I don’t doubt that.’ Stefan chuckled as he turned to look at Hebro who had a strange look on her face. ‘What is it?’
‘Something’s not right here, I remember this place for some reason but I can’t explain I can’t recall the why.’ Hebro replied softly as a tear started running down her cheek.
‘My dear Hebronicleus, the reason you can’t remember is because you asked me to remove your memory of it.’ Paneous whispered softly from nowhere.
‘Lord Paneous, please grace us with your presence.’ Stefan announced softly as his eyes flashed.
‘My Lord please don’t think less of me for helping Hebronicleus to forget.’ Paneous said softly as his form began to coalesce in the middle of the tar pit.
‘Paneous, why would I ask you to remove my memory of what I did here?’ Hebro asked as she dropped to one knee.
‘I’m afraid I can’t tell you.’ Paneous replied softly as he walked across the surface of the tar and stood in front of Stefan who nodded his head slightly.
‘Is there a reason you can’t tell us?’ Tahir asked as he looked at Paneous who nodded slightly.
‘That would require breaking my word.’ Paneous replied softly as he moved to where Katla stood still with her arms wrapped around Marissa.
‘Whom did you give your word to?’ Katla asked as she released Marissa and turned to Paneous who just smiled.
‘My Lady if I told you I’d be breaking my word.’ Paneous replied softly as he turned to face Marissa who’s face was turning t
o shock.
‘Don’t look at me, I haven’t got a clue.’ Marissa said as she shook her head slowly.
‘It’s not you Lady Marissa.’ Paneous growled warmly as he looked up to the sky.
‘Since when did she qualify for Lady status?’ Tahir asked as a small grin spread across his face.
‘Since Lord Bhaniwdral commanded it a hundred million years ago Lord Tahir.’ Paneous replied softly turning to Tahir who shook his head slowly.
‘How could he know what would happen?’ Katla asked after a moment.
‘Lord Bhaniwdral is from outside the timeline of this universe, he’s aware of everything that’s happened and will happen before the end of time.’ Paneous replied softly as he turned to Stefan.
‘Lord Paneous you haven’t referred to either of us with a title before now, so what’s changed?’ Tahir asked as he started reaching into his jacket.
‘I don’t know Lord Tahir, my instructions were on this date and at this time you and Lady Marissa were to be elevated, I’ve simply followed the orders I was given.’ Paneous replied softly as he turned to Stefan who just shrugged his shoulders.
‘Don’t look at me, I haven’t a clue.’ Stefan whispered as he looked at Hebro who had turned to face the sky with a furrowed brow.
‘What you looking at Hebronicleus?’ Paneous asked quietly as he turned to face her.
‘I’ve got the strangest feeling we’re being watched Lord Paneous.’ Hebro replied softly as she turned back to where Paneous was stood.
‘I was watching you.’ Paneous said shaking his head slightly.
‘The feeling’s got worse since you appeared.’ Hebro said turning back to look at the sky.
‘With the exception of Katla none of the elders are anywhere near this small ball of rock.’ Paneous said looking at Stefan who nodded his head slowly.
Paneous looked up to the sky, the clear blue began to darken and clouds formed, as one three spirals of cloud descended to the ground.
‘Summoned I come.’ Marineus whispered softly as she formed in the middle of the little group.
‘Hello sister.’ Katla squealed as she moved forward and wrapped her arms around Marineus.
‘Hello Katla.’ Marineus replied as she returned the embrace.
‘Ok, what just happened?’ Tahir asked as he stood there looking at the two women totally confused after their last meeting.
‘Our sisters have never really been close but recent events have caused Marineus to re-evaluate her understanding of certain things and this is one of them.’ Vilstang whispered in Tahir’s ear.
‘How come you’re not going all end of the universe on us?’ Tahir asked as he almost jumped out of his skin.
‘Recent events have caused all of us to re-evaluate our positions, in relation to yourselves and dear old dad there.’ Vilstang replied tilting his head to Stefan who was looking at Aurinatus who had appeared in front of him.
‘So, what are you three doing here?’ Tahir asked as he held out his hand to Vilstang who looked down and held out his own hand apart from Tahir’s.
‘We were summoned.’ Vilstang replied softly as he looked at Stefan and bowed his head slightly before Tahir reached his hand across, taking Vilstang’s hand and shaking it warmly.
‘Stefan can do that?’ Tahir asked as he extricated his hand from Vilstang’s, turned to Marineus who stood an imperious look on her face as she offered her hand.
‘No, father can do that.’ Marineus replied softly shaking Tahir’s hand.
‘Stefan hasn’t done anything out of the ordinary, how could he summon you?’ Marissa asked as she moved to the now growing little group.
‘Stefan and father are becoming more distinct entities within the body, father’s holding himself together to save your friend but every so often absolute power and knowledge needs a release.’ Marineus replied softly as she walked behind Stefan and placed a hand on his shoulder. To the amazement of all stood Stefan’s body began to glow slightly.
‘How does he get his release?’ Tahir asked as he took half a step backwards.
‘Once a day Stefan ascends to father’s plane of existence, only for an instant in this universe but there it’s almost an eternity.’ Marineus replied softly as she released Stefan’s shoulder.
‘How does he ascend?’ Marissa asked as she looked across at Aurinatus who was smirking slightly.
‘He lets go.’ Vilstang replied softly as his eyes began to glow before turning into two small green suns.
‘What like farting?’ Tahir chuckled as he leaned back slightly to avoid Vilstang.
‘Nothing like that.’ Marineus chuckled in reply. ‘Think more like dying.’
‘I don’t know what dying feels like, so you’ll have to be a bit more specific.’ Tahir said seriously as he looked across at Stefan who’d developed a glazed expression. ‘Cuz you ok?’
‘I’m fine thanks.’ Stefan replied softly as a dark green glow began to emanate.
‘You sure?’ Tahir asked as he moved forward and extended his arm.
‘I’m good honestly.’ Stefan chuckled as he looked up to the sky.
‘He’s fine Tahir, see what I mean about taking a little time out?’ Aurinatus said the smirk growing across his face.
‘He’s just ascended in front of us and we didn’t know, did we?’ Marissa asked as she slipped her arm through Katla’s and squeezed tightly.
‘Lord Bhaniwdral’s returned to his plane of existence so that Stefan can have a moment where it isn’t trying to rip itself apart.’ Paneous replied softly as he raised his arms and surrounded the group in a dark green glow.
‘What just happened?’ Marissa asked as she squinted to adjust her eyes to the glow.
‘As per my orders I’ve brought you to a plane of existence beyond what most ascended beings could reach.’ Paneous replied softly as his eyes flashed and he disappeared.
‘Ok where the hell’s he gone now?’ Tahir raged as he turned on the spot to see if there was anything to identify where they were.
‘He can travel here just not remain.’ Katla replied softly as she took hold of Marissa’s hand and squeezed again.
‘We’re not supposed to be here, we shouldn’t be able to remain here.’ Tahir said as he looked across at Marissa who seemed to be glowing slightly. ‘What’s happening?’
‘What you looking at T?’ Marissa asked turning to look over her shoulder at where Tahir was looking.
‘You’re glowing Mary.’ Tahir replied softly as he started walking towards her slowly.
‘Don’t be stupid.’ Marissa chuckled as she looked down at her feet. ‘Whoa.’
‘Told you.’ Tahir laughed as he started to walk away.
‘Where you going?’ Vilstang asked quietly as Tahir walked passed him.
‘To see what’s out there.’ Tahir replied softly as he carried on moving.
‘There’s nothing out there.’ Marineus said as she started to follow.
‘Yes, there is.’ Tahir quipped as he picked up his pace a little.
‘I can’t see anything.’ Marineus said seriously as she started to follow.
‘You’re not looking properly.’ Tahir chuckled as he turned to face the following group, his eyes ablaze with a yellow tinge and sparks of energy flowing between them.
‘Err you feeling ok?’ Stefan asked his eyes bulging at the sight before him.
‘I’m fine cuz.’ Tahir replied as he turned away from the little group.
‘Wait.’ Marineus whispered to Stefan as he began to move forward.
As the little group watched Tahir began to glow more intensely, his arms raised to shoulder height and there appeared to be daylight under his feet.
‘What’s happening?’ Marissa asked as she started to move forward but Katla stopped her.
‘Whatever Marineus did to the pair of you it’s beginning to manifest themselves.’ Katla replied softly as she held onto Marissa tighter.
‘What happens if we make it to the highest plane?’ Marissa a
sked as she looked down and saw her hand glowing between Katla’s fingers.
‘Not even Marineus can reach the highest plane despite her best efforts.’ Katla whispered in reply. ‘Only the universe could help you.’
‘How’d you achieve it?’ Marissa asked softly as she grasped Katla’s hand even tighter.
‘When Bhan and Hebro came together to elevate me the universe allowed me to reach fathers plane which upset Marineus. This is the plane she and the others Bhaniwdral ascended personally would reach.’ Katla replied quietly as she raised her other hand to shield her eye form the overpowering glare coming from Tahir.
‘So, assuming the universe lets us make the next jump to the highest plane of existence what can we expect?’ Marissa asked softly as she turned to where Tahir was stood, a distinct golden glow surrounding him.
‘It’s hard to describe Mary, you’ve got to experience it for yourself.’ Katla replied softly as she began to emanate a soft green shade of light.
‘One day maybe we will.’ Marissa chuckled softly as she turned to face Katla and smiled.
‘When you two have quite finished.’ Tahir snapped as blinding golden light surrounded the little group.
In an instant the whole group were stood on the top of a mountain looking down at the world laid out before them.
‘Where are we?’ Marineus asked looking over the edge at a dark green valley below them.
‘Home.’ A deep voice whispered from behind causing the group to turn and face it.
‘Hello father.’ Katla whispered as she lowered her head slightly.
‘Daughter, it is agreeable to see you again.’ The relatively small man said as he looked at the group.
‘Father.’ Vilstang screamed loudly as he lowered his head like Katla.
‘That’s the supreme being of the universe?’ Katla chuckled as she looked at the small man stood before her.
‘Not all of me my dear.’ Bhan replied softly as his eyes flashed briefly before he turned to face Stefan who was stood with a small smile on his face.
‘Stef’ what’s going on?’ Tahir asked as he looked between Bhan and Stefan.
‘Bhan was ripped apart and imprisoned on Earth sixty-five million years ago, in the fraction of a second before he was bound a small piece of Bhan’s conscious was able to make it here. When Bhan’s consciousness leaves me so my body doesn’t explode it takes more and more of the knowledge and power and brings it here.’ Stefan replied softly as he looked at Bhan who’s eyes flashed briefly.
Spear of Heaven: The Fallen Page 2
