Land of Shadows

by Jeff Gunzel

  * * *

  The morning came far too quickly. Jacob and Eric dragged their feet as they slowly got dressed.

  Eric stood before the shared mirror staring at his own reflection. They will see exactly what everyone else sees. He shook the words from his mind as he splashed the scented water on his face. “Are you ready to get going?” he asked Jacob, who was still facing away from him.

  Jacob said nothing, just continued to dig around at the side of his bed. Then he turned suddenly, twirling his staff in a flashy show, aimed to entertain. He brought the dazzling spin to a halt, pointing the end right at Eric’s face. “You better believe I am,” he said, wearing his usual sheepish grin. If Jacob had one talent above all others, it was his ability to relax everyone around him, no matter the situation.

  Eric rolled his eyes at him but smiled as he turned away from the pretend assault.

  As the two headed down the hall, Eric eyed the art on the walls as they passed each piece. He seemed to notice the beautiful red curtains pulled back from the windows for the first time, and the silk tapestries that someone had poured their heart and soul into, trying to create scenes frozen in time that should outlive their creator. It occurred to him suddenly that this might be the last time he’d see any of these marvels. Funny, he thought to himself, how we constantly take everything for granted—the beauty that is all around us, that we never even acknowledge until it seems we may never see it again.

  They continued up to the Queen’s throne room, where they found a surprise waiting for them. As expected, Ilirra was there with her two red giants, and Jade, Berkeni, and Azek all awaited their arrival. But even though they had never seen him up close, the monster leaning against the far wall was unmistakable. It seems Jade had not only freed the man from the games, but had also convinced him to come along.

  Eric couldn’t help but think, He might have preferred the games.

  Azek leaned hard against the back wall looking rather bored, with his heavy eyelids and eyes constantly rolling. The grizzled man didn’t care much for this sort of superstitious nonsense, but for some reason he kept fingering his sword hilt just as a precaution.

  Jade and Ilirra spoke to each other privately behind the throne, no doubt saying their goodbyes.

  Packed bags lay at the feet of Berkeni as he made the final preparations to open this so-called gate.

  Suddenly, the walls in the room began to pulse with a faint green light. Everyone jerked their heads around at the sudden change of lighting before looking to Berkeni. They had naturally assumed he had begun working his sorcery. The problem was, he looked as confused as everyone else. He held his hands out wide to indicate this was not his doing.

  In a flash, weapons graced the palms of everyone at once. Even Berkeni had a small dagger in his hand all of a sudden.

  A small, gray ring seemed to form from nothing in the center of the room. It cascaded a mild green light from its center, although the border remained gray and solid. Everyone backed away from it, weapons drawn and ready. The green light seemed to gain in strength as it pulsed from dim to bright and back again. A faint light green mist ascended from its center. Everyone watched and waited, not knowing what to do. As the mist ascended towards the ceiling, it began to take shape.

  Within seconds, a grotesque figure levitated in the air before them. It gave a striking resemblance to a genie released from its bottle, the image seemingly becoming more shapeless mist than creature the closer down it got to the gray ring. The thing had large, yellow, catlike eyes and the tusks and nose of a boar. The thing smiled as its yellow eyes swept the room, pausing on each face a moment to prove it could also see everyone here.

  The red giants exploded into action when that horrifying gaze fell upon Ilirra. They closed the short distance in a heartbeat. Whirling sickles shredded right through the repulsive image. The bodyguards displayed dazzling teamwork. One slashed low while the other slashed high, then reversed their attacks with the same freakish speed.

  The slightly transparent image laughed at their futile efforts as its eyes fell on the queen once more. With that subtle glance towards their master, the giants rolled across the floor and back in front of Ilirra. Crossed sickles now formed an X in front of the queen as they tried to shield her.

  Azek, also, sprinted across the room to take position in front of Ilirra. He dropped to one knee with his sword held out defensively. Dying meant nothing in defense of the Queen,

  The others knew exactly what this thing was. Berkeni’s dark, magical journey had revealed the demon and his full intentions to them.

  “Fools,” said Dragot as he continued laughing at their feeble efforts. “You can’t hurt me as I stand now.” His eyes continued to scroll around the room. When they fell upon Eric, his yellow eyes narrowed with disgust. “I see you have the man-child who dares to fantasize of saving mankind from its promised fate—a fate that is written in the stars, that cannot be altered by any mortal.” His booming, wicked laugh shook the walls. “When the stars are aligned, Krytoes will enter your pathetic world and show you the real meaning of power. The human world will tremble before him!”

  Eric glared at Dragot as uncontrollable, roaring hatred flooded through him. He felt no fear or intimidation. All he could feel was black, searing rage. Just at that moment, something changed deep inside him. It was as if he was no longer inside his body, but instead was watching himself from a distance. He moved towards the demon without hesitation, unable to control his own actions.

  “Written in the stars, you say!” he exclaimed. His voice began to gain intensity as he marched methodically towards the floating image. “The world of men will unite against the darkness, demon!” He raised his hand into the air when he stood right in front of Dragot. His voice boomed far too loudly for any human. It was deafening and echoed off the walls. “You think humanity fears your pet Krytoes? That we will tremble before him?”

  Dragot’s eyes held the look of panic. He drew back, but he had nowhere to go.

  “HE...WILL...TREMBLE... BEFORE...ME!” Eric clenched his hand into a fist and twisted it in the air. Whatever connection Dragot had to this room, whatever gateway he had been using, was instantly severed. The image disappeared in a blinding flash of green.

  Eric instantly collapsed to the floor. Everyone rushed to his side.

  Jade sat next to him and placed his head on her lap while urgently calling out to him. After a minute or two, his eyes fluttered open. She hugged him so tightly he thought he might pass out again.

  “Do you remember anything, child?” asked Berkeni in a rush. “How did you do that? Forming a gateway is difficult enough, but to sever it so easily… How did you do it?”

  “I...I remember everything, but it wasn’t me,” Eric replied with a puzzled look on his face.

  Everyone now shared the same confused expression. That is, everyone except Morcel. This whole time his face had remained quite level and calm. You would have thought he had seen this before.

  Eric continued, “Well, it was me, but I couldn’t control my actions. I didn’t know what I was saying or doing.” He stood up, still a bit wobbly, and dusted himself off.

  “There is something else here in the room!” said Berkeni in a sudden panic. Weapons were drawn once again within seconds of the urgent notice. Heads were on swivels as they tried to look everywhere at once, not looking forward to any more surprises.

  Azek was taking all this quite seriously now, after what he had just witnessed. He could no longer deny his own eyes.

  “It’s alright,” said Eric, his eyes calmly scanning the ceiling. “It just wants to use you as a vessel. Everything will be fine, I promise.” Why did I say that? Why do I know these things all of sudden?

  Berkeni eyed him with a sheepish look and a tight smile. He could now clearly feel the presence, and agreed with Eric’s assessment. “You certainly have the gift, don’t you, child?” said Berkeni, placing his back to the wall and closing his eyes. He stood there for a momen
t, not moving or saying anything. Then, after one or two blinks, his eyelids began to flutter rapidly, faster and faster like a hummingbird’s wings, until they just stopped.

  Eric motioned to Jade with a nod of his head in the direction of Berkeni.

  She hesitated at first, but when Eric smiled at her, she knew it would be fine. Jade crept over to the small man, looking into his glazed-over eyes. Then, as his head slowly turned towards her, his eyes seemed to clear, as if seeing her for the first time.

  “Jade, sweetie, is that you?” came the quiet voice with a familiar tone, a voice she thought she’d never hear again.

  “B-Ben?” she said in choked whisper. Her lip began to quiver, and a single tear escaped and ran down her cheek.

  “Sweetie...I’m so sorry, but I don’t have much time.”

  Jade’s mind spun relentlessly. There were so many things she wanted to say and to ask, forgiveness being the first. Is this real?

  “Sweetie, I just need you to know that I’m alright. More than alright. Everything is fine, and I don’t want you to ever worry about me.” The voice began to lose strength, as if it were being drawn away.

  “Ben? Ben, please don’t go!” she yelled as she shook Berkeni back and forth by his shirt.

  “Never blame yourself for what happened that night, Jade. You coming into my life was the best thing that ever happened to me,” the voice said as it faded away.

  Jade turned away, her eyes filled with tears. But not every tear was born of sadness. She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. When she turned, it was Ilirra, whose eyes were no dryer than her own. She knew it was inappropriate, not the proper way to behave in the presence of a queen, but Jade couldn’t help herself, and embraced Ilirra in a tight hug that was returned with just as much warmth.

  “Ladies, it’s time,” came a soft, patient voice from behind. Berkeni put a hand on each of their shoulders.

  Jade reluctantly let go and started to move towards Morcel, whose face still looked as if he had been watching clothes dry. “I can’t imagine how all this must seem to you, so I won’t hold you to your oath. If you don’t want to accompany us, I understand,” she said as she nervously poked a finger into her palm.

  “Little lady, after what I’ve just witnessed,” the warrior said with one eyebrow raised, “you couldn’t possibly stop me!”

  Jade smiled and clapped her hands together. The chants by Berkeni started up behind her.

  Berkeni kept up the mindless song as a blue spot began to form on the wall. The spot began to grow and grow until it gave the appearance of a giant mirror. But instead of the room’s reflection being shown, they could see the dead forest. It was crystal clear, and seemed so close. “Hurry now. It won’t last long.” he groaned in a strained voice.

  Morcel grabbed a handful of bags off the floor and was the first to jump through. Eric and Jacob each gave low bows towards the queen, who in turn touched her forehead, then her heart—a show of high respect and honor. The boys leaped though the wall without a moment’s pause.

  Jade picked up the last bag and turned to the others.

  Berkeni threw her a silver ring, which she juggled briefly before putting on. “As long as you wear that, I can always find you, my dear. Now go!” he said with a smile that was at odds with his sad eyes.

  Jade did not bow or curtsy. She just tilted her head, flashed a warm smile followed by a wink, then leaped through the gate. Once she passed through, it snapped shut almost immediately. It was done.

  The three adults stood silently, watching the wall that no longer seemed special.

  Finally, Azek slid over to face the Queen.

  Her eyes stayed locked on the spot the others had just traveled through.

  “It was best you did not tell her, my lady,” he said in a voice that was hard as stone. “Always remember, it was for the greater good.”

  Ilirra’s eyes burned white hot as she turned to meet his gaze. “For the greater good, you say?” she hissed in a soft, dangerous whisper. Then, like lightning, she struck him across the face with a closed fist. “For the greater good?” she screamed, striking him yet again. She shrieked the phrase over and over again as she continued to land rights and lefts. She seemed crazed, like she had just lost her mind.

  Azek took every hard blow without ever attempting to cover his face, fully accepting the onslaught.

  The queen collapsed in his arms. Limp as a noodle, she leaned all her weight into him.

  He held her close with tender care, yet did not utter a single word. No mere words could possibly soften her agony. His eye was swelling shut, and warm blood ran from his mouth and nose. Still, he embraced her with a sense of complete understanding.

  She found just enough strength to raise her head, then looked into those dark hawk’s eyes. “How many times can one endure losing the thing they love most in this world?” she said in a shaky voice so weak it could hardly be heard. So full of pain it was. The fire in her eyes was gone, replaced by pure suffering and anguish. “How can you be so calm, so cold?” She embraced Azek tightly as she inched her way up his body to whisper in his ear, “Taken from me again… I’ve sent our only daughter to her doom.”