He made contact with the object and immediately short circuited the onboard systems causing a power failure and bringing the Runic force shield down. The canister that had been protected from the Rune mass dissolved in seconds. The genetically created virus was also absorbed by the Mass.
The bubble began to short out that Jhahnahkan was encased within as he watched Rex disable the shielding and then disappeared from his view.
Jhahnahkan was quickly sucked up by a vortex and deposited on the bridge of the Kalentun.
“Tsk, tsk my dear brother,” Jhovahkan mused, “Leave it to my little brother to need rescuing.”
Jhahnahkan sat on the ground and shook his head attempting to remove the daze. “What are you talking about my brother?” Jhahnahkan grinned, “I created that vortex, I did not need you to help me… not at all.”
Jhovahkan reached out his hand to help his brother up to his feet, “I see your mission failed,” Jhovahkan pointed at his brother’s hand, “You are still depressing the kill switch. This must be why we have seen no change in the Rune.”
Jhahnahkan looked down at his hands. He was indeed still holding the button on the kill switch. He looked over at his other hand and discovered it was empty where he had been holding his power sphere.
“I see we need to launch plan B, contact the fleet and fire every available weapon into the heart of this thing!” Jhovahkan began to order.
“Wait!” Jhahnahkan shouted, “The field was shut down!”
“How is this possible my poor deluded brother?”
“It was my crystal sphere and Rex. We tricked Uttarak; he wasn’t expecting that I had been in communication with Rex within my crystal at the same time I was with Uttarak. When I forced my consciousness to return to the Rune mass, Rex took my signal and went for it. He was able to disrupt the field at its molecular level, something he had done onboard the Leif and we knew it would work.”
“Humph,” Jhovahkan scoffed, “Look for yourself. The Rune still does not change.”
“He is right. The Rune mass has not changed in the slightest,” R’ihia reported, “Only now it’s beginning to make its way toward the grid.”
“It’s a virus,” Jhahnahkan reminded everyone, “give it a few minutes for it to start working!”
“I give it two more minutes, Jhovahkan glacially agreed.
“Sir,” R’ihia reported, “Incoming message from Ackturra.”
“Put it on audio,” the brothers said at the same time.
The com channel crackled and came to life, “This is Qiaoshan. We are under major attack.”
“We read you Father,” Jhovahkan acknowledged “What is the problem?”
“The freed Rune has entered the atmosphere, went right through the planet shielding and headed right for the crystal caverns!” Qiaoshan reported.
“We are holding the main Rune mass for the time, but it appears the virus is ineffective,” Jhovahkan reported.
“There is more you must know,” Qiaoshan said coldly.
“Yes?”
“Somehow the Sun has reduced in its light output by eight percent. We are already feeling the effects on a planetary wide scale.”
“Explain!” Jhahnahkan shouted.
“Jhahnahkan!?” Qiaoshan exclaimed, “You are alive!?”
“Yes Father! I am here with my brother on the Kalentun. We’ll debrief later.”
“Storms, wind, rain,” Qiaoshan continued, “Things we are not accustomed to on Ackturra. Tornados, hurricanes and a general drop of surface temperature of twenty degrees globally. If the Sun does not return to normal soon, all life on Ackturra will perish in a matter of years.”
“Thus causing the one major paradox…” Jhahnahkan said with a very serious look on his face. “…a paradox that would create irreversible consequences to the timeline. If our world perishes and all life with it, that means that we would have never ventured to this planet. My future self has journeyed back to our roots and told them about this place. This could destroy time as we know it, and thus the reason why I am the chosen one! I alone am the only one that can repair this damage, and I must do so now!”
“Kate begs you to return to the Palace, she is alive my son!” Qiaoshan pleaded. He knew in his heart what his son was going to do.
“Tell her I love her father,” He said with tears welling up, “I’m sorry…I must do what I must…”
Two minutes passed very quickly when Jhovahkan interrupted by pointing out at the front of the bridge toward the Rune, “I hate to break up this little family matter, but we really need to get to the job of destroying this thing underway.”
The bridge crew of the Kalentun gazed off the bow of the ship and began to see the Rune break apart into smaller sections.
“Wait!” R’ihia exclaimed, “Look at what’s happening!”
They watched as the Rune continued to break down leaving large holes in the fabric of the Rune mass. Within minutes the Rune had reduced into nothingness and completely vanished before their eyes.
“It worked!” Jhovahkan shouted with victory.
“I have confirmed sir!” R’ihia shouted with glee, “The Rune is gone! There is no trace left!”
You could hear the shouts of victory echo across the bridge of every ship in the Ackturrian fleet at the sight of the vanishing threat.
“That’s one Rune mass down,” Jhovahkan shouted, “Turn the fleet back to Ackturra! We have another to battle!”
The com channel crackled back to life with the voice of their father, “We have not perfected the virus. We will need the Zelinite that manufactured it in the first place.”
“Patch the Leif into this channel!” Jhahnahkan barked. Not waiting, he continued with his orders, “Lanatek! Get Xucaleechee to the Palace to assist!”
The com channel crackled once more, “This is Xucaleechee! That was the only prototype. Last chance or bust, we need an element from Zelinite to complete the formula and now, well, the planet is dead. Nothing left. We can’t make another one if we wanted.”
“Then all will be lost unless I intervene,” Jhahnahkan said.
“Don’t do it Jhahnahkan!” Qiaoshan’s voice crackled over the com channel.
“What are you doing my brother?”
Jhahnahkan took a stance familiar to his brother. He prepared to open a vortex.
“You cannot open a vortex without a crystal! Seems you left it somewhere!” Jhovahkan snipped as he pointed out into space.
“I do not know how.. Nor do I know why...” Jhahnahkan began, “…but I know how to open this vortex… without a crystal.”
He concentrated only for a few seconds. That was all he needed in order to focus before the maelstrom opened before Jhahnahkan. There was nothing appearing on the other side but emptiness. But he knew it led to the time-helix, and he was compelled to enter. He stepped through the vortex and closed it behind him.
* * *
Ackturra
Year: 2984
The silver metal looking water was calm as it always was. There was a single crystal sphere suspended just above the liquid pool directly at its center. The glowing power sphere hovered motionless over the Forge.
There was a noise off in the distance; the sound of battle cries. The uproar in the distance was the approaching Runic army descending down into the Forge chamber through the broken ceiling tiles above.
The metal looking water began to ripple and churn as the enemy horde crashed down from above. Small metal liquid forms, as if they were an army, rose from the pool armed with energy weapons shaped into swords in their right hand. Their left arm was in the shape of a shield as the two sides collided in their final conflict.
The two sides battled together as the Runic warriors fought to enter the silver pool, but the silver warriors of the Forge kept them at bay with every swipe of their liquid metal swords destroying each of the Runic warriors. Each clash of the Runic fighters was thwarted by the silver metal looking shields.
The fight on the surface of th
e Forge was led by Rex and Roth’stavous in their silvery forms. They attempted to communicate with the Chosen One. Jhahnahkan, you must hurry, they thought together, we can’t hold them back for long; you must do what you must!
But they never heard back in their minds; they had lost contact with Jhahnahkan.
“Keep fighting!” Rex ordered the Crystal entities. “We must not let them enter the pool!”
“Stay focused!” Roth’stavous exclaimed, “We can overcome!”
The Runic army never seemed to cease from falling and they came by the thousands, outnumbering the silver warriors. The battle raged on each side cutting the other down with every swipe. The Runic determined to claim their destiny. The crystal entities fighting to keep the Runic warrior away; but they were rapidly losing ground.
* * *
Time Helix
Year: Unknown
Jhahnahkan found himself floating in his vortex bubble that sustained his life and gazed out at the time-helix. He was perplexed by what he saw next. He focused and rubbed his eyes to make sure that what he was seeing was real.
He floated in the midst of the time-helix and was looking at himself on the other side of a red colored marker strand. He called out to what appeared to be himself. He noticed that the other Jhahnahkan called out at the same time in return, as if he was gazing into a mirror.
Behind his doppelganger he saw a bright silvery colored array of what appeared to be sparks and flashes of lighting drawing close. He called out again to warn the other. This thing approaching didn’t look like it was a good thing at all. As he called out, again, his twin called out warning him at the same time. They each turned and looked over their shoulders behind and noticed that same flashing brilliance approaching from behind. Then faced each other, once more, and continued to gaze in wonder at what they were experiencing.
The time-helix entities’ voice began to echo in each of their minds, You are not dreaming my Chosen One. You are each seeing the other. You each entered the time helix from your current marker.
“I do not understand,” they each said.
You each entered the time helix, now your markers are both gone. You cannot return to the time you entered from, the entity said.
“What happened?” the Jhahnahkan’s asked, still gazing at each other in disbelief. The brilliance loomed upon them and closed in closer and closer, becoming larger and larger.
The time paradox is now upon us, The entity explained to their minds, There is only one marker left, you must each take it at the exact time…do it now… before time collapses on itself... I will not survive if these two paradox energy waves collide.
“What marker is this we see? Can you tell us what we must do when we exit?”
You will know what you must do once you begin to exit the marker strand to that time. You will merge into one – you will perform Ack’raamon, The entity continued to echo within their minds, This is the only way to prevent the time from being destroyed. You will both retain each of your memories of your past experiences.
“One last question,” the two Jhahnahkan’s asked.
You must not delay… hurry before the time fractures meet and destroy the last marker strand.
The two Jhahnahkan’s fully understood what the entity was saying as they approached the last marker, Will anyone else retain their memories?
I do not know, the entity echoed, This has never happened.
The brilliance at each end of the axis continued to close in on the two as they approached the marker. Just before the two ends connected, they each touched the strand and were pulled down and out of the time-helix.
He started to hear his father’s voice echo in his mind, and a vortex began to open up before him with a rush of wind, which began to pull at him.
He heard the words of his father, Qiaoshan, “Naeg’Mos Magniglieo.”
An image of the council chamber began to appear within the vortex. He saw his father standing, holding his crystal, with the other members of the council focusing their crystals on his. He was able to see his brother, Jhovahkan, staring at his father in an evil way, and he saw that his crystal was no longer pointing at his father’s crystal but at his father. Jhahnahkan knew what his brother was going to do because he had done this before.
This was the marker the helix entity was trying to tell them about. The pivotal moment where the two time fractures, one from the past and one from the future was about to meet. He wasted no time and continued to exit the vortex. Both Jhahnahkan’s were now merged as one being.
If I am to save my father, I must do this, Jhahnahkan thought.
He began to exit the vortex, and it seemed like everything moved in slow motion. He saw a red beam of power exit his brother’s crystal aimed at Qiaoshan. Tamika broke her connection and threw her crystal at the red beam. Her crystal connected with the red beam and resulted in a huge explosion of power. The power crystals lit up with a brilliant flash.
Jhahnahkan extended his hands out in front of him, and the power of the explosion was completely absorbed by his hands. He lifted his arms up into the air and squeezed his hands in tight fists over his head. The power swirled around his hands in a circular motion. He gritted his teeth and fought back the power surge with every ounce of energy he had.
He saw his father being launched backward into the air, and his arms and legs flailed in flight. Qiaoshan fell onto his back and lay motionless. Luanren began to weep for her lover while Tamika knelt by her dead father’s body and embraced him.
Jhovahkan dropped his crystal on the ground as Jhahnahkan lowered one of his hands toward his brother and encased him with a bolt of energy. Jhovahkan struggled to break free, but his brother was much more powerful.
Jhahnahkan lowered his other hand and pointed at his father and released another bolt of energy. Qiaoshan’s body blazed a brilliant silver colored light which emanated from Jhahnahkan.
Claps of thunder sounded in the air overhead which echoed throughout the entire Ackturrian Palace, nestled within the peaks of the largest crystal mountains.
Jhahnahkan, while maintaining the beam on his evil brother, reached down and took his father’s hand and helped him off the ground.
Tamika looked on with amazement at what she had just witnessed, “What’s this!” she exclaimed, “Witness the attempted murder of the high council’s leader.”
She glanced over at Jhahnahkan with a puzzled look, then at her father, who in her mind should be dead. Somehow, she thought, something has changed.
Jhahnahkan took command of the situation, “Guards!” he commanded, “Arrest my brother and take him away.”
The palace guards stepped onto the platform, Jhahnahkan released his brother to them and they clamped magnetic locking wrist bands and began to escort him away.
Qiaoshan stopped them for a moment as they walked by, “I was going to give you full control of the council after your brother was inducted, Jhovahkan.”
“You were never going to turn command over to me,” Jhovahkan sneered.
“You could have had everything my son!” Qiaoshan said with a cold stare, “Now you have forfeited your birthright. You dishonor me!”
“Wait father!” Jhahnahkan said interrupting, “I think you are the one who has dishonored all of us.”
Qiaoshan turned to Jhahnahkan and returned a stern look, “I do not know what you are talking about my son.”
“You do know my father.”
Luanren stepped forward and looked at both Qiaoshan and Ghaia, who had now stepped back looking for an exit.
“He is right Qiaoshan, Jhahnahkan was our chosen one. He is truly the first born of the House of Sö’. His brother Jhovahkan is the product of Ghaia. I am the true High Priestess!”
“That’s a lie!” Ghaia shouted.
“Shut up you strumpet!” Luanren shouted. “You know I speak the truth.”
“Enough!” Jhahnahkan shouted with such a command that it caused everyone to fall silent. His voice resonated across the surroun
ding area causing a stillness to fall over the entire council.
“It is true!” Qiaoshan said. He lowered his head in shame and then looked up at Luanren. The love he once shared with her returned into his heart, “We cannot continue this charade…it is true… Jhahnahkan is the rightful air of the high council.”
Jhovahkan howled with pain as he discovered the truth of his heritage, “No! This simply cannot be!”
The guards continued to remove Jhovahkan where he would face trial for treason and attempted murder of his father.
“I Qiaoshan hereby transfer my authority to my firstborn; Jhahnahkan, son of Qiaoshan, son of Roth’stavous of the house of Sö’ High Council Leader of Ackturra.”
“I Luanren, the True High Priestess of Ackturra, confirm my son Jhahnahkan as High Council Leader! So it is written! So shall it be done!”
Jhahnahkan bowed graciously to this mother and father and bent down on one knee where Luanren transferred the ceremonial headdress from Qiaoshan and rested it on Jhahnahkan’s head.
He stood and raised his arms high with pride. He knew full well that he had successfully stopped the time fractures from occurring and destroying time itself. Then he turned to his sister Tamika and held her by her shoulders.
“Tamika, tell me,” he said looking deep into her eyes, “Tell me about the Rune.”
“The what?” she answered.
“The Rune, you know the crystal infection,” Jhahnahkan replied.
Luanren stepped close to them, “Yes, legends say that in the first Zelinite war, over a thousand years ago, they tried to launch this object at Ackturra. Someone stopped it from happening and this Rune never made it to Ackturra, they eventually lost the war and we never heard from the Zelinites again.”
“There has been no war?” Jhahnahkan exclaimed with joy on his face.
“War?” Tamika and Luanren questioned.
“Yes, Jhahnahkan,” Luanren said, “We won the war. You’ve been gone much too long my son.”
Jhahnahkan looked around at everyone’s power crystal and noticed none of them displayed any color at all; they were all crystal clear, no infection. The Rune had never made contact with the crystal caverns to become infected.
Secret of the Crystal - Omnibus Edition Books 1-3 (Time Travel Adventure) Page 77
