The Ark of Power

by David Barco

  JT, Jaylen, and Joseph stare at him. Moving them out of the way to the door, he cracks it open.

  "Where are you going?" Joseph says.

  "I am going to go get the compass from the secret room while you guys get your stuff ready," Harrison says scooting out the door.

  Closing the door behind him, the muffled conversation from the room can be heard from the hallway. "Well, he has officially lost it-"

  "Dang. I was going to try to talk to some girls finally since we have a week off. He just had to ruin that-"

  "What girls were you going to talk to? Your mom and sister?"

  "Shut up!"

  Harrison hears the slams and pushes coming from inside the room. A quick smile shines on his face as he walks off. The hallways empty out. Looking around the corner, Harrison views the Elder and his uncle walk into his office.

  Harrison rushes to the secret door, opening it quickly.

  "Is someone here?" the compass shouts through the backpack laying on the ground.

  "Hold up a sec," Harrison says pounding the wall.

  The Elder and his uncle are reclining and are in the middle of a conversation.

  "Yes, sir. I understand that takes me and Buford Lloyd away from the Academy during this week. But I believe it is important for me to go attend this ceremony in the Sendek nation," Adam says, tapping his thumb on his knee.

  The Elder sits up, rubbing his forehead. After a couple of moments of silence, he drops back gently in his chair.

  "I understand. It is probably a very good political move that needs to be made. Buford will be gone this week to see his sick sister. Plus, Norman is leaving for an urgent family situation. So, we will be missing three people from the staff during this celebration.”

  "Well, I apologize sir. But I truly think it is the wisest move for us to send someone to represent you in the Sendek nation's celebration. I know that Sebastian has been visiting the Golic nation in the last couple of days and is scheduled to return soon.”

  The Elder places his hat on the desk, running his frail fingers through his thin hair. "I know, Adam. You are right. It will help sustain the peace between the other two remaining nations."

  Adam places his hand out as he rises from his seat. The Elder shakes his hand, grinning slightly. "Be safe on your journey."

  Adam nods and walks out the door. Tapping the yellow energy hovering the wall, the Elder and his room disappear from his sight. Harrison snatches his backpack up and heads to the door.

  "Don't worry. I will be safe," Harrison says, as he opens the door.

  Chapter 26

  The Abandoned Skunk

  Harrison trips on the sodden russet dirt road. Falling out of his hand, the compass yelps as he catches it before it slams on the ground.

  "Watch it. You have done that three times today since we left. It's only been seven to eight hours," the compass says. Wiping the bit of dirt that splattered on it, he tightens the chain to keep it from hanging.

  "Sorry. I accidentally tripped," Harrison says leading the group.

  Continuing on a lonely, dark brown trail surrounded by towering pine trees. Harrison can sense the others getting tired. Harrison sees all of them staring at the ground with each stride.

  A strong vibration from the compass rattles his palm.

  "What's up?" Harrison asks the compass.

  The compass' eyes shoot straight into Harrison's. "We are entering an area that is called the Heart Pines. We will be traveling through here for the next six hours and that will bring us into the Golic nation. We are now out of Destine jurisdiction.”

  JT, Jaylen, and Joseph groan when they hear the compass’s words.

  Stopping quickly, Harrison stares at them with concern. "What's wrong?"

  JT, Jaylen, and Joseph look up at Harrison.

  "Dude. We are tired. We have been walking all day, non-stop. Let's just take a break tonight and rest," JT says.

  "He is right Harrison. A little bit of rest wouldn't hurt any of us," Jaylen tries to get his attention.

  "It looks like there is a small cave behind those trees. We can camp there for the night," Joseph points towards the woods beside them.

  Harrison kicks the rock across the dirt road, watching it skip across the soggy dirt. "I just think it would be a better plan to keep going," Harrison says with an attitude. "But let's go ahead and start a fire close to the cave and set up camp."

  Snatching his backpack off the ground, Harrison starts walking toward the woods.

  "You don't have to have such an attitude," JT says.

  "I don't have an attitude. I am just focused."

  Harrison's hand vibrates rapidly as he is walking. Glancing down at his palm, the compass smiles back. "This cave is a special one.”

  "Why is that?" Harrison says with an attitude as he gets closer to the small dark cave.

  "Because this cave is one of the only places that still have black gems inside."

  Harrison's chest tightens.

  That guy that night at the antique shop asked about those.

  Harrison glances back at JT who is staring back at him with a shock on his face.

  "Why do you guys look like you have seen a ghost?" Joseph says walking past them both, touching the cave and peeking in.

  "Please tell me you didn't see a ghost. I think I would literally cry. I don't even like the thought of that," Jaylen looks back and forth between Harrison and JT.

  "You got something worse to worry about in these woods than ghosts," the compass says joyfully.

  All eyes shoot toward the compass with much concern.

  "What are you talking about?" JT says nervously.

  Squinting, the compass' eyes are not visible as it smiles.

  "You see these woods here got the name Heart Pines not because of the pine trees but because of a group of creatures that live here. They eat a person's energy flow. The way they do that is by consuming their heart. They are called The Pine Tribe,"

  "You know what...this adventure is just getting better by the second," Jaylen says.

  Suddenly, creepy noises explode throughout the woods surrounding them. Harrison and the others gaze around quickly observing the darkness overtaking the woods. Each of them scurries quickly into the small, dark cave. Feeling his heart throb and beating through his chest, Harrison sees that the others seem to be experiencing the same feeling.

  "This is great. Maybe we will get to see some of them. I haven't seen one of them in years," the compass says with eagerness. "The last time I saw one, it ripped a warrior from the Golic nation's heart out and chewed it."

  JT blinks with a straight face, staring directly at the compass. "Why does the stupid compass sound excited about that?"

  Stepping outside the cave, Harrison picks up a couple of small thin branches laying on the ground. He throws them on the ground in the cave. Extending his arm out with his palm facing out, he shoots a tiny green energy ball on the branches, causing a small fire.

  "Let's just try not to stress about what could happen," Harrison throws his bags on the ground.

  Harrison lays his head on the backpack. The warmth of the fire makes his face tingle as it grows.

  "Get some rest so we can reach the Purhara Mountains tomorrow," Harrison watches the others follow his lead by laying on their backpacks. "I will let you guys sleep first for a couple of hours since you all are so tired, and I will keep watch. I will get some rest after you guys sleep a little.”

  "Sounds like a plan to me," Jaylen says.

  "Me too," Joseph replies.

  Loud snoring booms from JT's direction as his back is turned toward Harrison.

  Slightly giggling, Harrison stares at the top of the cave, rolling the compass over his chest. Strong snoring sounds come from Jaylen and Joseph.

  Harrison feels his eyelids start to droop gradually. Both of his eyelids feel as if they have weights attached to them. Rubbing his eyes, he tries to keep himself awake. All of a sudden, he doesn't see the ceiling of the cave anymore.


  ◆◆◆

  Unexpectedly, Harrison feels a strong tugging on his right leg along with cold dirt rubbing on his lower back as he feels his shirt rising up. Opening his eyes slowly, he hears the compass' joyful voice talking to someone.

  All of a sudden, an outline of something is in front of him pulling him out of the cave forcefully. Harrison feels himself lifting off the ground. The moonlight penetrates through the woods, shining on the sky-blue skin of the creature throwing him in the air.

  Hurling towards the giant pine trees, Harrison observes the moonlight bounce off the bald heads of about twenty blue individuals. He slams into a tree and slides down face first into the thick grass. The air in his lungs vanishes on contact. Catching his breath, a calloused huge hand clutches his shirt tightly.

  "Alright. Looks like we are going for another ride," the compass shouts as Harrison grips it tightly.

  Being lifted up, he looks back slightly and views another sky-blue creature smiling at him with teeth as black as charcoal. It throws him back towards the cave. Flying face forward towards the cave, another one jumps off the cave and leg drops Harrison before he gets to a cave he’s never seen before. High pitch screeches erupt from all of them as Harrison crashes into the ground. Harrison coughs as it gets off of him. Flipping over to his back, he gazes at JT, Jaylen, and Joseph soaring through the air. Screaming as they fly across towards the trees, three creatures fall out of the trees into leg drops on each of them.

  Harrison stands quickly spinning around swiftly with his eyes opened wide. Ten more light blue creatures emerge from the woods as the moonlight dances on their bald heads.

  Harrison extends his hand out and forms a green energy ball in his palm. He launches at the creature sitting on top of JT slamming it into its chest. Screeching erupts out of the creature as it falls off of JT and rolls a couple of feet.

  JT pushes himself up and throws an energy ball at the one sitting on Jaylen. The energy attack hits the creature on the side of its head. It falls off of Jaylen and jumps up into a tree. The creature on Joseph follows and jumps into the trees with the rest of them. JT, Jaylen, and Joseph race over to Harrison in-between the woods and the cave.

  "This is amazing. Who would have thought that we would see the Pine Tribe? This sure is a treat," the compass says with a huge smile.

  Harrison and the others observe all the creatures surrounding them in the trees. Roaring shrieks blast out of them as they each stretch their neck back and gaze at the moon.

  "If we don't do something, we are going to be the treat," JT replies as he positions his hand, ready to form an energy ball.

  Two of them jump down from the trees towards all of them.

  "Watch out," Joseph yells.

  All of them form energy balls quickly, launching them at the two running. The creatures roll on the ground, trying to evade the four energy attacks. Sprinting at them, as the creature on the right rolls up and jumps towards them, Harrison flies through the air and kicks it in the chest. Landing and rolling on the ground, Harrison sits up quickly, pushing two energy balls into one.

  A larger than normal sized green energy ball forms in between both of Harrison's hands. He throws it at the creature running at the others. The energy ball slams into the creature's back, launching it into the air and into the tree.

  JT, Jaylen, and Joseph's eyes widen as they stare at Harrison.

  "Holy crap. Maybe we should call you Tommy from now on," Jaylen says.

  Suddenly, all the creatures jump out of the tree, screaming in high pitched voices.

  "C' mon," Harrison motions to the others as he sprints back to the cave.

  Stopping at the entrance of the cave, he observes about thirty creatures chasing the others.

  Harrison throws multiple energy balls at the creatures. Finally, they get to the cave. Harrison launches one last energy ball towards them. He turns around and runs into darkness. Blackness covers the cave as he gets further in. They stop at a dead end.

  "Crap. What do we do now? We are going to be cornered," Jaylen slaps the wall.

  Shrills start to creep closer as the moments go by.

  Scratching the back of his head, Harrison struggles to figure out a plan. All of a sudden, a small hand firmly tugs his pants leg. Gazing down, Harrison observes a creature coming out of the floor.

  "Follow me. Quickly," the animal says.

  The animal pushes a large door up, motioning them to come in. Harrison and the others jump into the hole as fast as they can. The animal slams the door shut which follows with hard stomps on top of them. They can hear the creatures on top screaming loudly, spitefully.

  JT and Jaylen drop to their knees as Harrison and Joseph leans against the icy stone wall.

  "Thank you so much," Harrison tries to catch his breath.

  The animal lights a huge wooden torch. "No problem. I have been lonely lately since my master abandoned me, so it's awesome to see some more people."

  "Aww man. Who would abandon a...?” JT says as the light shines against the dark fur, brightening the white fur streaks across its back and face.

  "Skunk," JT says as he fully sees him.

  Laughing loudly, the skunk rubs his face where a giant scar runs down his right eye.

  "The name is Ripper. I will rather be called that than a skunk," Ripper replies.

  "Don't skunks stink?" the compass says to Harrison.

  "Whoa. What did you say?” Ripper says, moving towards Harrison. "All skunks don't stink."

  The compass looks back and forth between Harrison and Ripper appearing confused.

  "Well, maybe he is one of the skunks that stink since his master abandoned him,” the compass whispers to Harrison.

  "What? I still hear you, you stupid compass," Ripper yells.

  Harrison stuffs the compass into his pocket. Mumblings arise from his pocket.

  "Sorry about that. He doesn't mean it," Harrison says. "So again, thank you. We are just glad you were here."

  Ripper walks around with his head down, kicking the dirt gently.

  "Yeah, yeah. I mean I don't have nothing else to do since I am by myself. I have been here in this cave for a while now," Ripper says.

  "Well, what happened to your master?" JT stands to his feet.

  "He just told me we were meeting someone he knew in this cave. When we got here, a black hooded figure was waiting for us. He asked my master to find the black gem for him. I found it for my master in the wall and when I handed it to my master, he knocked me out. As I was passing out, I saw my master walk out with the hooded figure," Ripper says, emotion filling his voice.

  Harrison and JT lock eyes. Harrison feels his heart speed up.

  "You said the black figure did get the black gem?" Harrison says, concerned.

  "Yeah. Must have left with it," Ripper replies.

  "Great," Harrison says. "Oh well. Where does this little secret tunnel lead to?"

  Ripper walks past them, lifting the torch up higher, laminating further down the tunnel. "To the Purhara Mountains.”

  Chapter 27

  The Master’s Plan

  Ripper leads in the front of a crooked line. Turning his head to the right slightly every couple of minutes, he gazes back to check on Harrison and the others. Harrison stares back to see the others also. All three of them slide their feet making dusty lines in the dirt.

  The throbbing in Harrison’s feet distracts him from the striking silver-gray stone surrounding them. The sparkly stone makes him squint every couple of steps.

  "You guys sure are a slow bunch," Ripper says chuckling. "I mean I heard Destines were slow in a lot of ways, but shucks. I didn't think it was like this."

  Harrison leans against the smooth wall with his right shoulder. JT, Jaylen, and Joseph halt at Harrison's abrupt stop.

  Ripper turns around glaring at them in confusion. "Why are you guys stopping? I hope you aren't showing me just how slow you can be.”

  Harrison runs his hand down his face in confusion. "How
did you know we are Destines?"

  JT, Jaylen, and Joseph gaze at him. Harrison waits patiently waiting for him to answer.

  "Oh. That's easy. I saw you guys walking toward the cave. I knew by the direction you were coming from and by you guys following that stupid compass that you were from another nation," Ripper says

  Harrison and the others exchange eye contact trying to figure out whether to believe him or not.

  "Listen. If you think I am out to get you or trying to set you up, why would I rescue you from the Pine tribe? I would have let them take you guys out," Ripper declares. "Now if you guys are done taking a break, can we get going? I hate being in this tunnel this long. When the Golic Nation built it in the Second Great War, they didn't intend it to be around this long. Kind of scares me that it might fall in at any moment."

  "Yeah. Right. Let's keep moving," Harrison walks slowly.

  Restless groans sound from JT, Jaylen, and Joseph and they begin to slide their feet again as they follow Harrison's lead.

  "So, this tunnel was built during the Second Great War, huh? You got to be pretty smart to know that," Harrison grimaces with each step.

  "Yeah pretty impressive, eh?" Ripper observes both sides of the walls. "I am not real smart in a lot of areas. My master just really loves history, so I always hear random historical facts."

  Suddenly, Harrison stops, halting the others with his arm extended out. Harrison creates a bright green energy ball in his hand as he watches Ripper walk. Quickly, he launches it at Ripper. Slamming into Ripper's back he drops the torch, flying forward with the energy ball stuck on his back. Being driven through the air about thirty feet, he crashes on the ground, rolling continuously.

  "What the heck Harrison?” Joseph yells.

  "What are you doing?" JT asks.

  Harrison takes quick strides towards Ripper who is trying to push himself up.

  "That's not a way to treat someone who saved your tail from getting eaten," Ripper yells in anger.