by Craig Gaydas
“How can I help you fine gentlemen?” he beamed.
“I need a glass of your finest Kamilian wine for my friend here,” Grillick said.
Grog studied me and rubbed his scaly chin. “Um, are you sure about that?”
Grillick insisted. Grog reluctantly slid a goblet of golden liquid across the counter. I should have heeded his warning because after that I blacked out until morning. I woke up the next day with the worst headache of my life. My lungs felt like I had swallowed ten pounds of ash. Grillick entered my room and simply stated, “It'll pass” before dragging me to Vanth's office. When I arrived Vanth looked at me and shook his head disapprovingly.
“This isn't the best day to be suffering from the ill effects of alcoholic beverages,” he grunted.
I tried to run the alcohol-induced fog from my eyes. “How did you know?”
“I know everything,” he stated matter-of-factly.
For the next 72 days I learned the art of “transcendence”—the ability to leave one's body and become one with the universe. For the first week all I did was sit cross-legged in the middle of the octagon with my eyes closed and my mind clear of all “impure” thoughts. The first three days of that week all I could think about was how much my legs were cramping. On the fourth day my stomach cramped along with my legs. By the end of the week I had been convinced I learned nothing but how to sit cross-legged in the middle of an octagon trying not to fart.
The next week we did the same thing with one exception. Vanth decided to pump sounds of battle over the loud speaker. I tried to clear my thoughts but it was awfully hard with the sounds of people being shot, bludgeoned or stabbed to death coming from all around me in stadium surround sound. By the end of the week I wondered if I would go insane.
During the third week Vanth pumped images of the universe around me, giving me the sensation of floating in space. That week he wanted me to clear my mind with my eyes open. He told me to start by focusing on the single brightest star and hold my gaze until the universe started to vanish around it. Once that had been accomplished he asked me what I saw. At first all I could see was the one star. The next day he asked me the same question but that time the star had been twinkling. I responded, “A twinkling star.” He narrowed his eyes and dismissed me for the day. The following day he asked me the same question. As I stared at the twinkling star it started to expand and a hole formed in the middle, turning it into some kind of cosmic donut.
“A cosmic donut,” I responded.
By the end of the week the star was no longer a star. It wasn't even a cosmic donut. It was a portal. A dark frame encircled what appeared to be a smaller universe swirling inside. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
“Close your eyes,” Vanth commanded.
I did as he asked. At first I saw nothing but complete blackness. After several seconds passed, the portal appeared in my vision. Shocked, I closed my eyes tighter but the vision remained.
“What do you see?” Vanth asked.
“A door,” I responded. “A portal leading to another universe.”
The lights came on and I opened my eyes. Vanth entered the room and for the first time since I met him he smiled. “Amazing!” he exclaimed. “It has been a long time since I have met another like you.” He placed both hands on his staff and leaned his chin against the lantern. “Another human, what are the chances?” he breathed.
“I'm sorry, did you say 'another human?' ” I asked with confusion.
Sergeant Cantrell burst through the door, breathless. “Sir, we have a situation!”
Vanth turned, his smile fading into a deep scowl. “What have I told you about interrupting during training?”
Cantrell cringed and looked torn. “I know sir, I'm sorry…but…but…your presence is required in your office.”
Vanth let out a long sigh before turning to me. “I'm sorry, Nathan, but it seems we must conclude our training for today. We will begin again in the morning.” He followed Cantrell into his office and slammed the door shut but it didn't catch and hung ajar.
I was excited and confused by Vanth's announcement. I was glad I passed but I wanted to learn more about the mysterious human he mentioned. Excitement gave way to curiosity as I stared at the partially open door. Muffled voices came from inside and they seemed agitated. I crept to the door. I felt guilty about eavesdropping but as the voices became more agitated I strained to make out what they were saying. Several voices started shouting at each other in unison and I no longer needed to strain to hear what they were saying.
“This is terrible news. Terrible indeed,” Grillick's mousy voice cracked over the others.
The voices died away when Vanth spoke. “Menjaro, can this be confirmed?”
“Vigil has first-hand knowledge of the situation,” Menjaro responded. “He relayed everything to me and requested I share this information with you.” He paused and took a breath. “Do you think I would have brought him with me if this wasn't important?”
“Is the boy ready for this?” Cantrell asked.
“I'm worried what will happen if we tell him,” Grillick added.
“The Ascended have struck a blow that will cripple the Consortium,” Vanth noted. “Not only that, but they decimated the Insurgents while doing it. This is dire news indeed.”
My heart dropped as fast as my jaw. Decimated the Insurgents. Immediately my concern turned toward my friends. “No!” I cried and threw open the door.
Inside everyone grew silent. All heads turned to me. “NO!” I repeated, as if for some reason they didn't hear me the first time. I studied their faces. Grillick looked stunned. Cantrell looked irate. Menjaro fixed me with eyes of sadness. Vanth simply stared with those murky eyes of his. However, there had been a newcomer in the group. It was the him whom Menjaro referred to earlier. When I saw him a familiar anger rushed forward. Even using all of Vanth's training it was hard to restrain. To see him again after all that happened was too much to bear. I growled between clenched teeth. “What the hell is he doing here?” When I took a step forward, he took a step back, unsure of my intent.
It was Kale—Council member of the Consortium.
Deception
Cantrell grabbed my arm to restrain me. I was so close I could see myself in the mirrored finish of Kale's helmet. My head looked like a football and my contorted look of rage made me appear as something straight out of a nightmarish funhouse.
“Back off son!” Cantrell shouted.
“No!” I exclaimed. “You don't understand what he is. He is one of them!” I cried, pulling against Cantrell's grip. “Earth is gone because of him.”
“It's not his fault,” Vanth responded. “Contain your rage, Nathan. Remember your teachings!”
I ceased struggling and Cantrell loosened his grip. I closed my eyes and drew in deep breaths, as I had been taught. I felt the rage roll back like the tide. When I opened my eyes Kale was unbuckling the restraints around his helmet and removed it. His hair was nothing more than a blue stripe running down the middle of his head. On each side of the stripe the skin was dark and cracked like a desert floor. The lower half of his face was covered by a tan bandanna like some bandit from the Old West. He looked over his angular nose and studied me. His golden eyes scrutinized me. “I am not who you think I am.”
“Who are you, then?”
He looked at Vanth who nodded softly. “I am Scribe the Chronicler.”
“The Chronicler?” I repeated. “Does that mean you are—?”
“Yes,” he confirmed and held up one of his gloved hands. “I am one of the Timeless.”
“Where is the real Kale?” I asked dubiously.
“Dead,” he responded coldly. “When the opportunity presented itself, Moro assassinated him.”
“Moro?” I asked.
“There is no time to explain,” Vanth interrupted. “We used the opportunity presented us to infiltrate the Consortium. Meta had already planned to attack Earth before we could get to Kale. The impo
rtant part is the news he brings.”
“What happened to the Insurgents?” I demanded.
Scribe shook his head. Without looking at me he told his story. “Satou and Vigil agreed that it would be best if they moved their base from Xajax to Vaire. Despite the planet's loyalty to the Consortium in the past, their allegiance was tenuous at best. The leadership on Vaire had not been pleased to learn of the events on Earth. Unfortunately before they could gather their full strength the Ascended attacked. Most of Vaire's defense forces were far away on Consortium missions. The Ascended swarmed the planet. The Insurgents made a valiant defense against the Scarlet Moon's air attack but the combined ground forces of Janero's men of metal and the Lumagom overwhelmed them. Vanth and Lianne doubled back with their ships to rescue as many people as they could but it was too late.”
“What about the Consortium?” I asked in disbelief. “Wouldn't they come to the defense of one of their own?”
Scribe shook his head. “Once they found out they were harboring the Insurgents, they were outcast.”
“What about my friends?”
Scribe and Menjaro exchanged glances. Menjaro looked at Vanth who studied the floor with his forehead against his staff. “You must tell him,” he said slowly.
“As far as I know, Lianne and Kedge are with Vigil, regrouping on Sanctum. The good news is the Erudites have offered their support to what's left of the insurgency.” Scribe licked his lips and tapped the helmet against his leg. “With that news though, I am sad to report Embeth is missing.”
“Satou?” I asked with trepidation.
Scribe shook his head. “Vigil told me how fiercely he battled with the Ascended and it was his courage that allowed your friends to escape.”
Tears burned the corners of my eyes but I closed them and willed them away. I knew deep down what news was coming before it came but I had no place for tears, not anymore. I kept them shut when Scribe continued.
“I'm sorry, Nathan. Satou was killed.”
Suddenly I willed everyone in the room away. I called upon what Vanth had taught me. I focused on his words during day 21 of combat training: You will never again fight on behalf of revenge. Revenge is an act of passion which is an emotion that needs to be controlled. Fight for vengeance. Vengeance is an act of justice.
“Nathan, are you OK?” It was Vanth. For the first time since we met I sensed a bit of concern in his voice.
I opened my eyes and calmly looked around the room. Cantrell stared at me with his lips tight, as if he was bracing for an emotional explosion. Vanth studied me with his cloudy eyes. Grillick fixed me with a concerned look. He clenched and unclenched his fists rapidly as if he were squeezing an invisible stress ball. Menjaro looked at me evenly. Scribe tugged on his bandanna and blinked rapidly as if he were trying to keep dust out of his eyes. Despite the difference in expressions they all seemed to be waiting for one thing. My response.
“Nathan is gone,” I replied icily.
Grillick formed a comical O with his lips. Menjaro's expression didn't change. Cantrell frowned. Scribe stopped tugging at the bandana. It wasn't until I glanced at Vanth that I knew my path had been laid before me. A small smile played at the corner of his lips in silent acknowledgement. It was time for me to take the first step and say the words.
“He was a boy, an explorer and the Cartographer.” The words left my lips like molasses from a bottle, sliding slowly from my mouth. “That was before. Before they took everything from me.” I locked my eyes on Vanth's and he nodded. “My name is Vengeance. I will destroy all of them.”
Everyone exchanged unsure glances with each other, everyone except Vanth. He crossed his arms and smiled.
“Now you are ready.”
A New Beginning
When Grillick's ship landed on Vaire unopposed I had to admit it caught me by surprise. When he told me there had been no onboard stealth capability I was positive Corvus would come at us with everything he had. Grillick simply smiled his dwarvish smile and pointed at me with his sausage fingers.
“You cannot even begin to contemplate my chicanery,” he boasted, puffing his chest out like the world's ugliest peacock. “Failure to plan is a plan for failure!”
The ramp descended onto a sprawling sandy field with few trees nearby. They resembled palm trees but with thicker trunks, smaller trees and no coconuts. On the horizon I spotted foam white caps atop waves of sapphire. “I suppose I am now a firm believer in your chicanery,” I conceded.
“The ocean beyond is the kingdom of the Hydrophants,” Grillick explained, following my gaze.
“Hydrophants?”
Grillick paused. “Your friend Satou was a Hydrophant. They represent the aquatic species of Vaire.”
The emotional pain stabbed my heart when the name was spoken. Use your emotions as a tool to strike down your enemies, Vanth's ghostly voice whispered from my mind.
Before we landed, Grillick handed me a suit which resembled an aqua-blue scuba diving wetsuit. When I asked what it was he responded with a diatribe of technical jargon that continued until I thought my ears would bleed. When he saw my confusion he changed his explanation so those of us who weren't billion-year-old scientists could understand. “It will protect you from the arid climate of the Badlands, otherwise known as the desert land of the Shreen.”
“So how bad is the situation?” I asked.
Grillick led me off the ramp. He removed a square piece of glass no bigger than a credit card from his pocket and inserted it into a slot alongside the ramp. A three dimensional holographic image popped up about four feet from the ramp. The image showed an area of the desert that seemed to be some sort of oasis. Several of the strange palm-like trees were gathered in a semicircle around a dark blue pond no bigger than an average swimming pool. Around the water broken stones protruded from the ground like teeth. Several people were gathered around the pond. Two people sat on the stones as the others gathered around them. The entire image was bathed inside the bluish hue of the holographic projector giving it an eerie aquatic look, as if the entire scene were taking place under the ocean. I recognized Calypso and Corvus as two of the people standing. Several Scarlet Moon soldiers armed with rifles circled them. I recognized them from the bulky sashes that they wore around their waist, marked with the insignia of their group.
The two people seated before them were Hydrophants with their hands shackled behind their back. Standing behind them were two creatures which could only be Shreen. I had been briefed on their tribal history as well as their ferocity in battle but I never in my wildest dreams imagined their hideousness. Their grotesquely oversized claws clutched enormous battle axes which were at least as long as javelins. They rested them over their shoulders and listened to Corvus addressing the Hydrophants.
“I would love to hear what he was saying,” I muttered.
Grillick held up his index finger. “Ask and ye shall receive.” Next to the slot on the ramp was a switch which he pushed up like a dimmer switch. The holographic scene was soon accompanied by sound.
“You are forcing me to do this,” Corvus stated to the nearest Hydrophant. “Your planet provides a strategic location to strike at Caelum. Your allegiance with the Consortium is just a ruse. I know you are upset with their actions of late. I can see through it, so why not join your forces with mine?”
The Hydrophant, slightly smaller than Satou and with shorter tentacles fixed his hard eyes on Corvus. “Because of what you did to our people,” he replied icily. “Your 'allies' as you so eloquently refer to them are nothing but murderers and criminals. Vaire is proud. Vaire is strong. But Vaire will not align with you.”
Calypso moved in between them. “Please,” he urged. “You know me, Ajox! Vaire is critical to victory and I promise your planet will be spared in the upcoming battle. We will only use the planet as a flyover base. I promise no war will touch Vaire soil.”
Ajox turned his head slowly. His eyes locked on Calypso's and he uttered a dry laugh. “Your promises are a
s empty as your soul, traitor.”
Calypso turned and looked at Corvus with a frown. The image faded. “What happened?” I asked.
Grillick smacked the machine and cursed under his breath. “Infernal machine,” he grumbled. “Remind me to liquidate the mechanic.” He paused and scratched his head. “Delete that last remark. I'm the damn mechanic!” Suddenly restless, he rubbed his hands together. “This is much worse than I thought.”
“What's wrong?” Seeing Grillick nervous made me nervous.
“Corvus managed to gain the trust of the Shreen. This is not good.” He looked across the desert. “The meeting is taking place just over that dune.” He pointed toward a hill approximately a quarter of a mile away. “You must stop them before Vaire falls.”
“But you saw what happened. Ajox will never submit,” I argued.
“Vaire will fall with or without his consent,” Grillick explained. “His death will be no different from his submission. In the end Corvus will get what he desires.”
Sergeant Cantrell exited the ship carrying several items. He described each as he handed them over to me. “Strap this on your wrist,” he said and handed me a wide metal bracelet attached to a glove. The brace was forged from a thick metal which was bulky and awkward at first until my wrist could adjust to the weight. At the top of the bracelet there was a metal cavity where something no bigger than a pencil could fit inside. The glove had small, metal disks stitched into the fingers. “This item is called a voltaic chain.” He attached it to my wrist and I proceeded to slip my hand into the glove. “The metal disks on the fingers are contacts,” he explained. “Squeeze your hand so your fingers touch the palm.”
I did as asked and a gray metallic chain erupted from the cavity and extended three feet in front of me before dropping to the ground. As soon as it hit the ground it became charged with electricity. The dull humming sound reminded me of power lines. “Whoa,” was the only word I could manage as I flicked my wrist to the left and right. The chain moved like a snake along the ground. “Vanth never trained me on this.”
