‘Hebro, you’re such a bore.’ A deep male voice boomed from nowhere.
‘Ochotan is that you?’ Marineus asked hopefully looking up at the sky. Her face lit up as the tall dark-skinned form of her son appeared before her.
‘How’s this possible?’ Marissa asked as she took in the sight before her. ‘Weren’t you banished to the lowest plane of existence?’
‘I truly don’t know, one moment I was staring into the abyss at the centre of the universe, the next I was here.’ Ochotan replied softly as he moved to where his mother stood. Without thinking Marineus wrapped her arms around his shoulders and squeezed tightly.
‘My son.’ Marineus cried as tears flowed freely down her cheeks.
‘How’s this possible?’ Tahir asked opening his eyes and repeating Marissa’s question his head tilted slightly. Everyone stood turned to Tahir who it seemed had returned to his normal demeanour.
‘I honestly don’t know Tahir.’ Ochotan replied softly as he turned to face Katla before dropping to one knee.
‘Nephew, what are you doing?’ Katla asked as a quizzical look spread across her face.
‘To stand in the presence of the universe is a great honour.’ Ochotan replied seriously before standing back up and turning to Fornicleus who’d remained rooted to the spot.
‘You’re older than me Ochotan, if anything I should acquiesce to you.’ Katla replied as she bowed her head slightly.
‘Age is irrelevant here, you’ve taken a step along the evolutionary ladder we can only dream of.’ Ochotan replied quietly raising his arm to gesture the other ascended beings. As he stopped at Fornicleus he stopped and began to study him in more detail. ‘Where did this creature come from?’ He asked coldly.
‘Manners.’ Marineus bristled as she looked at Fornicleus feeling an immediate pang of pity.
‘Forgive me mother.’ Ochotan muttered as he started to walk around Fornicleus. ‘What are we going to do with him?’
‘You’re going to do nothing.’ Hebro growled as she walked forward and placed a protective arm on Fornicleus shoulders.
‘Forgive me.’ Ochotan mumbled as he turned to face the Marineus realising he didn’t have her support.
‘I know you seek the shard of Bhaniwdral I recovered from the heart of the universe.’ Fornicleus said softly as he raised both arms to his side, palms facing forward in a submissive pose.
‘And what if we are?’ Katla growled softly as she turned to look at Tahir who had seemed to stiffen slightly.
‘You’ll need this.’ Fornicleus replied quietly holding out his hand, as he did so a small shard of silver metal about the size of a coin appeared.
‘Is that what I think it is?’ Marineus asked before anyone else could.
‘It’s the small piece I recovered from Lord Vilstang once I realised what you were going to do.’ Fornicleus replied softly as he dropped to one knee.
‘How will this help us?’ Marissa asked as she reached out her hand to take the shard.
‘Mary don’t touch it, you couldn’t survive contact with it.’ Hebro said urgently as she realised what Marissa was planning to do.
‘Here.’ Katla whispered as she wrapped her fingers around the shard. As she did so the shard began to glow white hot.
‘Sister what are you doing?’ Marineus asked shock spreading across her face as the shard began to grow in her hand.
‘I don’t know, I just am though.’ Katla replied as the shard tripled in size before stopping and forming a small dagger.
‘The power of the universe is calling you.’ Ochotan whispered as he too dropped to one knee.
‘What are you doing?’ Marissa asked as she saw Tahir do the same.
‘I don’t know.’ Tahir replied slowly as his shook his head.
‘Well that makes perfect sense doesn’t it.’ Marissa chuckled as she looked across at Katla and smiled cheekily. Katla didn’t reply but winked slyly.
‘Daughter, focus on the dagger and tell us what you see.’ Hebro whispered as she moved forward and wrapped her fingers around the blade.
Chapter 4
Jacob Lake Visitor Centre Arizona
‘What just happened. Where’s Fornicleus gone?’ Marissa asked as she looked at the scenery as it melted around her.
‘Err I don’t know.’ Hebro replied as she let go of the blade.
‘Miss Lao Chi?’ A male voice asked from behind the group.
‘Yes,’ Marissa replied instantly as she turned and saw a small minivan with blacked out windows, a smartly dressed man wearing dark glasses stood beside it.
‘My instructions are to take you and your party to Colorado City, check you into a local hotel, wait then run your party to Las Vegas.’ The driver said softly as he pressed a small black box in his hand, with a soft whirr the rear door opened, the little troop of individuals climbed on board and took their seats.
‘Hebro what did you do?’ Marineus asked once they were all safely in the back of the vehicle and comfortable.
‘My Lady I haven’t a clue.’ Hebro replied absently as she looked out of the window.
‘Could contact with both her parents again have triggered something?’ Tahir asked as he looked across at Marissa and smiled.
‘You’re really something Tahir.’ Katla whispered as she allowed a smile to spread across her face.
‘Aww shucks ma’am.’ Tahir chuckled as he turned his head to look out the window at the speeding scenery. Something wasn’t right though, they should be passing through arid country but they were passing deep forestry. ‘Err guys, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.’ He said turning back towards Marissa.
‘What are you talking about T? All I see is desert and hills.’ Marissa replied as she followed his gaze out of the window.
‘Mary please believe me, I’m looking at dense forests, not arid wildernesses.’ Tahir replied as a small bead of sweat started to run down his cheek.
‘Tahir, how do you feel?’ Hebro asked as she reached over the seat back and placed a hand on Tahir’s forehead. Her snap recoil made everyone jump. ‘He’s burning up.’ She said as she turned to Marissa a look of chock spreading across her face.
‘I feel fine.’ Tahir said softly as sweat started to pour from every part of his body, his shirt had developed large wet patches under the arms and across the top of his stomach.
‘Here.’ Marineus whispered as she placed a hand on his shoulder. Instantly his eyes glazed over and he slumped forward in his seat.
‘T.’ Marissa screamed as she tried to fight her own seatbelt to reach him.
‘He’s ok, I promise it won’t hurt him.’ Marineus muttered softly as his body went stiff before a light blue wave surrounded his body and disappeared.
‘What have you done?’ Marissa wept as she placed her hand under Tahir’s chin.
‘Frozen him in an instant of time.’ Marineus replied as she retook her seat. ‘Once we get to the hotel we can have a better look at him.’ She finished as she turned her head to look out of the window.
‘Mother, there was nothing else you could’ve done.’ Ochotan mumbled before looking across at Katla who had developed a deep furrow across her seemingly young brow.
‘There’s always something more you can do.’ Hebro whispered as she looked across at the driver who hadn’t moved a muscle in the front.
‘We’re just five minutes from our destination.’ The driver said almost instantly.
Hebro beckoned the others towards her and whispered ‘Something isn’t right here.’
‘What do you mean?’ Marineus scoffed as she turned to look at Ochotan who just shrugged his shoulders.
‘Our two mortal friends here saw different things when they looked out of the window. Tahir’s been taken out of the picture when he seemed to be onto something, and our drivers not bothered about the fact of any of this.’ Hebro replied conspiratorially. ‘It reminds me of when Amacleus imprisoned us.’ She finished as she looked across at Marissa.
‘I can’t help
you this time though.’ Marissa whispered before looking over her shoulder towards the driver who’d head was moving side to side as if he was listening to music.
‘Where do we want to go?’ Ochotan growled as his eyes flashed blue and time seemed to slow down.
‘No.’ Marineus growled as she looked at Ochotan who seemed to shrink before their eyes.
‘Sorry mother, I was just trying.’ Ochotan snivelled before shutting up.
‘We appreciate the sentiment nephew, but we have to be careful. Out there is a being of incredible power and I can’t think who could even try and pull this off.’ Katla whispered before looking over his shoulder to the outside of the minivan which seemed to be picking up speed. ‘Are we ok?’ She asked the driver who just raised a hand and waved it in mock salute.
‘Ok, that’s it.’ Marineus growled as her eyes flashed green and the minivan disappeared.
As the group looked around they were stood back in the centre of the tent. The table overflowing with succulent looking fruit and sweet treats.
‘You’ve never been here before have you?’ Hebro asked as she looked across at Tahir who was stood bolt upright leaning against the centre pole, his eyes closed and his body unmoving.
‘I focused on somewhere Marissa felt safe.’ Marineus replied softly as she started to look around the tent and see where things were. ‘Is this where you hid from us for so long Katie?’ she asked as she saw the flames in the pit.
‘This isn’t my creation.’ Katla replied softly as she moved to where she normally sat, crossed her legs and looked deep into the fire.
‘It’s mine.’ Hebro croaked as she walked up to the table and picked up a large pear.
‘Hebbie, how could you know to create this?’ Marissa choked softly as she moved to where Hebro stood and placed her hand delicately on the table.
‘From the moment I met all of you I knew everything I ever needed to.’ Hebro replied as a tear started to run down her cheek.
‘We don’t cry.’ Ochotan scoffed before he looked across at Marineus who had placed her hands on her hips and looked dangerously at him.
‘If I kick you between the legs Ochie, trust me you’ll cry.’ Marissa growled as she turned, leapt across the fire and delivered a perfectly placed kick into Ochotan’s groin area.
Ochotan barely had time to register the movement before he looked down and saw Marissa’s leg protruding from his groin area, suddenly a strange sensation spread around his body. His eyes bulged, his cheeks puffed out and the world had taken on a funny hue. As the others looked on he crumpled over on himself, collapsing onto the floor, his hands firmly between his legs and tears running down his cheeks.
‘Told you.’ Marissa hissed triumphantly as she walked back to where Tahir was stood leant against the centre pole.
‘Can’t say I agree with that.’ Marineus sniffed loudly as she moved to where her son was curling up into the foetal position.
‘Illuminated my point though didn’t it. In here anything’s possible.’ Marissa whispered as she wrapped her arms around Tahir, rotated him gently and lowered him onto a series of cushions that had appeared at his feet.
‘Mary, let me help.’ Katla chuckled as she walked passed where Ochotan was curled up his eyes locked shut now.
‘Katie I’m sorry about that.’ Marissa whispered when Katla moved in closer.
‘Don’t be, the idiots needed that for so long.’ Katla said as a large smile flashed across her face before returning to a more sombre expression as she stood up.
‘Sister dearest, would you please remind your friend we’re only trying to help here, acts like this will make us less inclined to do so.’ Marineus said seriously as she looked across at Marissa who still hadn’t turned back around.
‘You’re free to leave if you wish.’ Katla replied quietly pointing at the large flaps of the tent.
‘Ok, I will.’ Marineus growled as she turned to face the opening. In an instant Marineus turned from the tall elegant woman into a dark green ball of energy which moved to the entrance. At the entrance an interesting moment occurred, Marineus reformed without warning. ‘It seems I can’t leave.’
‘What?’ Hebro asked turning back to where Marineus stood a puzzled look now spreading across her face.
‘There’s a barrier across the entrance even I cannot penetrate.’ Marineus replied seriously as she ran her hand across the opening. As her delicate fingers reached a certain point they bent and wouldn’t go further.
‘How’d you get us in here?’ Marissa asked as she walked to the entrance, when she reached it she extended her hand to where Marineus had encountered the barrier and nothing happened. ‘Seems like I’m not trapped here does it.’ She giggled as she leant out and considered the abyss. ‘Katie, you see if you can step outside.’
‘If Marineus can’t pass beyond the barrier I doubt I’ll be able to either.’ Katla replied as she crossed the tent and place her hand where Marineus had been stopped. She too couldn’t pass through the barrier. ‘Mother, you try please.’
‘I’m guessing I won’t either.’ Hebro clucked to herself as she walked up and nearly lost her footing as her hand passed through into what was beyond.
‘I’ve got you.’ Marissa cried as she caught Hebro who looked genuinely shocked she could pass through.
‘So, what’s special about you that means you’re trapped here?’ Marissa asked as she looked across at Ochotan who was still curled up in the foetal position his hands clamped firmly between his legs. ‘We really should see if he’s stuck here as well.’ She said as she looked across at Tahir who hadn’t moved.
Katla walked to where Ochotan laid and picked him up. She dragged him back to where the opening was and tried pushing him against it, he too seemed to stop when his body tried to cross the threshold. ‘He’s stuck here too, great.’ She said as she dropped him to the floor.
‘No, let me try.’ Hebro said as she pushed him against the opening, this time he passed through easily.
‘Hold my hand.’ Marissa said to Katla as she offered her other. As expected Marissa couldn’t pass beyond the threshold until she let go of Katla’s hand. ‘It’s you two.’ She said as she pulled herself back into the tent and moved to retake her seat by the fire.
‘What’s so special about us?’ Marineus asked as she moved to the side of Marissa and dropped onto a cushion.
‘Children of Bhaniwdral Chrimocer.’ Tahir replied in a deep growl his eyes opening briefly before closing again.
‘How’s he doing that?’ Katla asked as she walked over and raised her hand in front of Tahir’s face and shook it vigorously.
‘Not a clue.’ Hebro replied as she dragged Ochotan back into the middle of the room.
‘What are you gonna do with him?’ Marissa asked as she pointed at Ochotan laying pitifully in the middle of the room next to the fire.
‘I still don’t know how you were able to do this?’ Marineus whispered as she placed a hand on Marissa’s leg.
‘Bhaniwdral Chrimocer.’ Tahir replied once again in his deep growl briefly opening his eyes.
‘How?’ Hebro asked as she turned to Katla who’d sat down on the other side of Marissa. All three sat hoping an answer would be forthcoming but shrugged when it didn’t.
‘Get mother to ask the question.’ Ochotan choked as he began to stir before them.
‘What do you mean?’ Hebro asked quietly as she moved forward and helped Ochotan to a sitting position. Pain still etched across his face, his hands still rubbing the inside of his upper legs.
‘He’s only replied when mother asks the questions.’ Ochotan replied between deep breaths.
‘He’s right you know.’ Marissa said looking at Marineus who shrugged before turning to Tahir who laid there motionless. ‘You’ve asked three questions we can’t answer, then T comes out with a reply.’
‘Ok, How?’ Marineus asked looking at Tahir who remained motionless for a second before his eyes opened.
‘Bhaniwdral Chrimocer
is here, he wishes his children be safe, he’s unwilling to allow them to leave.’ Tahir replied in the deep growl before closing his eyes again.
‘The dagger.’ Hebro said pointing at Katla who immediately understood.
‘What do we do with the dagger father?’ Marineus asked as Katla pulled the dagger from inside her clothes. As they watched the blade glowed, Tahir lifted his arm and the blade flew into his outstretched hand.
‘Nothing.’ Tahir replied in a softer growl before his eyes closed again.
‘I’m betting we’re not getting that back anytime soon.’ Ochotan spluttered as he gingerly got to his feet and walked to the table.
‘I don’t know really.’ Tahir replied in his own voice as he opened his eyes and stood up.
‘Wow.’ Marissa screamed as she leapt across the fire and wrapped her arms around Tahir nearly strangling him.
‘Careful.’ Tahir cautioned as he looked down at the blade in his hand.
‘What are we doing with this now?’ Marineus asked as she eyes the blade carefully.
‘This.’ Tahir replied as he slammed the blade through the table. As he did so the food rotted before their eyes and reformed in its sumptuous glory.
‘We don’t touch it then?’ Katla asked as she moved around the tent to the table and picked up a large bowl of jelly and ice cream that had appeared in a glass bowl immediately before her.
‘You can’t Katie, neither can Marineus.’ Tahir replied as he lifted a hand to point across to where Marineus was still sat on the floor. ‘What happened to him?’ he asked as she saw Ochotan rubbing himself slowly.
‘Mary kicked him in the nuts.’ Katla replied a smirk spreading across her lips as she took another mouthful of jelly and ice cream.
‘Hurts, doesn’t it?’ Tahir asked as he placed a hand on Ochotan’s arm.
‘I don’t remember pain like that.’ Ochotan replied softly as he continued to rub slowly.
‘Walk around slowly, get the blood flowing again.’ Tahir chuckled as he looked at Marissa who had an evil smirk growing across her face.
Spear of Heaven: The Fallen Page 7
