The End of Days (The Soul Stone Trilogy Book 3)

by Matt Moss

  “Sounds like a fine plan and all, but you sure don’t seem pressed for time. Every day we wait is another day Victor and the Religion grow stronger,” Torin said.

  “And another day for us to train and prepare,” Arkin added.

  “Arkin’s right. We’re not ready and need more time,” Lyla agreed.

  Torin breathed out his frustration and looked to the trainees in the distance. “Alright. Day by day.”

  “Come on, Arkin. Everyone will be thrilled to see you,” Lyla said and tugged him along.

  As if sensing them coming, Joko turned and greeted them with a smile before they got there. He shook Arkin’s hand. “Hello, Arkin. Good to have you back, my friend.”

  “Hello, Joko. Good to see you again.” He pointed to the people. “How’s this lot doing?” Everyone greeted Arkin with cheer as they rushed to gather around. He embraced them all and laughed with joy, thankful to be back among his family

  Joko laughed and raised his voice. “Good. Slow going, but they are learning. Hello, Torin. How was the trip? How was your meeting with Maximus?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “That good, huh?” Joko asked, a hint of humor in his tone.

  Torin gave him a tired look. “I’ll tell you all about it after we’ve had a few drinks.”

  Joko slapped Torin and Arkin on the shoulder. “This is a good day. You are here with us. And you are still breathing. That is always a good day.”

  More people from the camp ran to Arkin and greeted him with praise upon seeing the commotion. He answered everyone’s questions in turn, but soon became overwhelmed. “That’s enough for now. I’ll meet with you all after I discuss matters at hand with Torin, Joko, and Lyla.” As they walked away, Arkin leaned in close to speak to Lyla. “It’s like I’m some kind of hero to them or something. I’ve never experienced that before. To be honest, I don’t deserve it and feel rather embarrassed.”

  Her hand slid into his as they walked. “Don’t be. You are a hero, Arkin; our hero. You bring the people hope, and that’s what a hero does.”

  Inside Torin’s war room, they talked in private.

  “Has anyone heard from Moses? Did he stop by while I was away?” Arkin asked. He looked at their faces and knew something was wrong. Their lack of words rang as loud as a bell, and Lyla could tell that he already knew the answer. He looked down, trembling with pain and anger as he thought of his master. “Where is Moses?” he asked.

  Lyla put a hand to her mouth and turned away, stifling a cry because she knew how much Moses meant to him. To all of them. Though I barely knew you, a part of you will always be with me. You’ve touched all of our lives, Moses.

  Torin walked to put a hand on Arkin’s shoulder in comfort. Arkin looked to Joko for an answer. “Tell me, please.”

  Tears welled in Joko’s eyes as he gazed into Arkin’s. “He’s gone,” he replied, his voice grim with the pain of remembrance.

  Arkin looked up and closed his eyes, jaw clenched, trying his best not to break down. He leveled his eyes back to Joko. “Who?” he growled through clenched teeth.

  “Victor,” Joko replied and dropped his head. “It is my fault. I failed to stop him.”

  Torin’s grip tightened on Arkin’s shoulder. “Arkin…”

  Arkin shrugged it away and stormed for the door.

  “Not again,” Lyla pleaded. “Don’t run off and leave us again.”

  Arkin spoke to her in leaving. “I just need a minute.” He left the hut but didn’t go far. In the middle of the camp he stood. People came up to him and before long, the whole camp was gathered around, asking him questions and praising his return.

  “Almighty bless you, Arkin.”

  “Thank God you’re back. It’s so good to see you again.”

  “Victor will get what’s coming to him. He’ll pay for what he’s done.”

  Arkin closed his eyes.

  Breathe.

  The people faded away, dissolving into the sands of time, replaced by the void. He stood alone, amidst the endless darkness. A tear fell from his eye as he recalled his master and the lessons that he thought him. He cherished the time spent with Moses and longed for more; for one more chance to see him again. For one more chance to say goodbye.

  “Breathe, Arkin. Everything is going to be alright.” a voice called out through the darkness.

  “Moses?”

  The grandmaster appeared in front of him and the world came into view, bursting with colors. Like old times, they stood in the north with fresh snow on the land—the icy, cold river rushing beside them, and the green patch of grass around the nearby hot spring that he loved to jump in after lying down on the frigid ground.

  Moses stood tall, nodding to Arkin with pride. “You have completed your task. The tribes are reunited and your training is nearly complete. I’m proud of you, my apprentice. But there is still much more you must do.”

  “I did as you told me,” Arkin replied, smiling and holding back the tears. “Tell me what I must do next. Why did you leave?”

  “You know what you must do,” Moses told him. “I left because it was my time. Your time will come…one day, just as everyone’s does. We live as though we are immortal and, somehow, think death alludes us. But the truth is that death is all around, ready to sweep us up in a moment. True peace comes when a man is ready for death because it sneaks up like a thief in the night. I realized that at the end. So how do we overcome despair and ready ourselves? We live intentionally. And we live with purpose. After realizing that, the act of living brought on a whole new meaning for me. Life became more precious.”

  The grandmaster smiled. “There’s some folk here who have been waiting to talk to you.” He held his arm out in invitation, and Paul and Levi appeared.

  Arkin nearly lost all composure, and would have if it wasn’t for the impossibility of it all. Still, his soul was overflowing with thankfulness. “Father?”

  “Hello, son,” Levi replied with love. He looked to his father, Paul. “Quite a man he’s become, wouldn’t you say?”

  Paul grinned. “A fine, young man. A man who stands for what is right. Decent. Strong. Good looking. He gets that from his mother, you know?”

  “We’re not so bad looking, are we?” Levi asked, looking to Paul and Moses. Both the older men shrugged and looked away. Arkin laughed and Levi threw his arms up in defeat.

  “Your mother is a good woman, Arkin. I know the past is cloudy and hard to understand, but you need to know her heart.”

  “I know, father. I’ve already met her.”

  “So she’s already charmed her way into your heart, just as she did mine,” Levi noted with pride. “I loved her, and she loved you. She still does. Always keep her in your heart.”

  Arkin nodded. “I will.”

  “Ahem…keep us in your heart, too,” Paul added.

  Arkin laughed, choking back the emotion that wanted to pour from every fiber within him. “I will. You will always be in my heart.” He looked at all three of them one last time before they faded away like rolling fog. “Wait. Don’t leave me. Please, don’t leave.”

  Levi was the last to go. He stepped closer to his son. “Keep God in your heart. Always. I love you, Arkin.”

  Wait. Don’t go.

  He found himself among the crowd again, his eyes opening back to reality. But his feet were above the ground. The people stared at him with wonder as he levitated there. Having come back to his senses, he dropped back to the ground and marveled at what he had just experienced. He closed his eyes once more.

  “I love you too, father,” he said out loud.

  Lyla cautiously approached him from behind. The people parted and made a path for her. She put her hand on Arkin’s shoulder. “Arkin.”

  He turned around, tears streaming down his face. He smiled at her, nodding his head that he was alright. She wrapped her arms around him and held him tight, conveying comfort through her touch better than any words ever could.

  He kiss
ed her on the lips. “Come on. We have much to discuss.” He spoke to the people before leaving. “Grab something to eat, and drink plenty of water. I’ll be overseeing your training in a bit.” The people cheered and clapped their hands in eagerness as Arkin and Lyla left.

  “Arkin, what was that? I saw your feet leave the ground. How long have you been able to do that?” she asked.

  Arkin hadn’t even noticed as he was lost in the moment, visiting with his loved ones once again. “That was the first time that I know of. I don’t know how it happened.”

  “You’ve reached another level of soul tapping.”

  “I have? What’s that mean?”

  “I’ll fill you in later.”

  Arkin pushed the door open and stepped inside. “Sorry about that,” he told Torin and Joko.

  They waved him off. “No apologies needed,” Torin said. “Moses was a special man and meant something different to all of us. He lived life the way he saw fit, and never judged others for not seeing things his way.”

  “He never expected things from people. Just taught,” Joko said in fondness. “He taught me how to live.”

  Arkin smiled at that, recalling his recent talk with the grandmaster. “Then let’s make him proud,” he stated, looking to the other three people in the room. “There cannot be freedom when there is tyranny.”

  “Speak,” Torin said in enthusiasm, jumping from his seat.

  Arkin continued. “It’s time we live free. For everyone to live free.”

  “Yes,” Joko agreed and stood.

  Arkin looked to Lyla and she nodded her approval in reply. He looked to Torin. “So we need a plan—a course of action—something besides just waiting on the tribes to join us. We need something aside from meeting once more with Maximus. I think our solution to this is pretty simple.”

  Torin crossed his arms. “Let’s hear it.”

  Arkin looked into each of their eyes. “We train. We train like never before. We put the work in, and everything else will take care of itself.”

  “It is the best we can do,” Joko stated. “Wise words, Arkin.”

  Torin nodded in approval. “I like that plan. Well, what are we doing standing around clucking like a bunch of hens, then? Let’s go to work.” He marched out of the room with Joko close behind.

  Arkin stepped close to Lyla. She gazed up into his eyes and smiled. “The people adore you and look to you to lead them? Are you ready?”

  Arkin pursed his lips, then spoke. “No. But I’m going to give it my best shot, anyway.”

  TWENTY-THREE

  Rico went to the market in search of the perfect bouquet of flowers.

  He ignored the merchants who tried to sell their wares to him, and their loud, obnoxious calls. His eyes browsing the shops in passing before moving on to the next. He wanted the rarest fall blooms, arranged in the most perfect way. Nothing else would suffice, for Jenny deserved the best.

  Purple, blue, pink and red hues caught his eye and he paid full price, not even wanting to haggle with the merchant. “High priest’s blessing to you, good sir. Thank you,” the merchant said.

  Rico snorted at the blessing but still showed his appreciation. “Have a nice day.” His feet were as light as a feather as he strolled through the inner city. He passed by a troupe playing a well known tune, and tossed a coin in their bucket as he paused to listen. The song stayed in his head, and he whistled the melody as he made his way to the outskirts—moving along the edge of the outer city until he found his destination.

  Before knocking on the door, he straightened his clothes, brushed back his hair with a hand, and looked presentable the best he could. Clearing his throat, he held the flowers ready and gave three quick raps on the door.

  Jenny opened the door, and cocked her head to the side with a smile. “You shouldn’t have.”

  “For you, this is the least I could do. But if this doesn’t please you, I could you give you something else?”

  She pulled him by the shirt. “Get in here,” she told him with a grin.

  They held each other tight and kissed with a fiery passion; one that Rico had never known in the past. He’d had many girls before, but none like Jenny. She was different, and he fell for her since living in Kingsport. “I love you, Jenny.”

  She touched his chest. “I love you, too. Are you hungry?”

  “I could eat,” he said, and kissed her cheek.

  She kissed him back. “Stay right here.”

  He watched her walk away. Then, again, began whistling the tune that he’d heard in the street as he walked to the window, the warm sunlight streaming in. “Where are the kids?” Rico called out.

  “They’re at a friend’s house,” she called back.

  He found it odd that they weren’t at home in the safe-house, like usual, but disregarded the thought as quick as it came. She returned with a tray of assorted vegetables, nuts, and cheeses. She picked a piece of walnut from the plate and fed it to him. “Hold this,” she said and gave him the tray. He watched as she laid a blanket down on the floor next to the big bay window that let most of the light into the house. She smoothed it out flat, looked up to him with a smile, and patted a spot next to her. “Come over here. I won’t bite.” He shook his head and threw a nut at her. She flinched and giggled, picked it up, and threw it back.

  He sat the tray down, not hungry for food. He hungered for her and met her on the floor. He laid her down softly and they made love for the first time. After they were finished, they each stared at each other in the sunlight, tracing the coutures of each others’ bodies with their fingertips. She propped her head up and sighed, gazing into his big, brown eyes. “Don’t ever leave me. Promise you won’t.”

  “Jenny, I don’t ever plan on leaving your side. For better or worse, you’re stuck with me,” he said, telling the truth. There was nothing left waiting on the outside for him. His will to fight was gone. His lust for power, no more. He still abided by Victor, but that would soon come to an end. He was done with it all.

  “Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  She kissed his lips and jumped up to dress herself. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

  He marveled, watching her every move. She gave him a look. “What are you looking at?”

  He stood and pulled her close. “The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” Again he kissed her, and fought the urge to lay her down once more. She pulled her boots on. “Get dressed, lover boy. It’s such a nice day, and it would be a shame if we were laid up inside all day.”

  “It wouldn’t be a shame at all,” Rico replied. “Some might say it would be a shame not to be.” She slapped him on the butt and walked away to finish getting ready. With trepidation, he grumbled and threw on his clothes. “You know it’s safer here in the house,” he called out.

  “I’m not living my life cooped up in hiding. Besides, I’ve got you to protect me,” she called back.

  The sun was high and the sky was blue as they walked along the docks. Most of the sailors were at sea, and the boardwalk was empty for the most part—their walk uninterrupted by the curses and shouts that usually accompanied the docks. “I love the smell of the ocean,” she mused, turning her face to the sea, the fresh breeze blowing in her hair.

  Rico stared at her, mesmerized by her beauty, at a loss for words.

  “It reminds me of the times that…” she paused and looked into Rico’s eyes before continuing. “The times that Thomas would take me around the harbor. We would talk about our future and share our dreams with one another.” She looked back to the water, smiling in remembrance.

  Rico held her from behind. “Thomas was a good man, and I know you miss him still. I want you to hold onto his memories. Keep your dreams with him.” He turned her around and gazed into her eyes. “And make new ones with me.” She kissed his lips, caressing his face with her hand. He held her close and spoke a promise. “I will give you a life as grand, or more so, than you had before. This I promise,” he swore, gazing
into the shimmering horizon.

  She pulled back and touched his nose with a finger. “I know you will. We will make our dreams come true.” They walked across the docks and through the market. Rico paid for a savory pastry that she greedily ate, unashamed of her lack of manners. He liked that she didn’t care about what other people thought about her. It wasn’t for lack of respect that she was that way, but more a sense of what really mattered and what didn’t. She paid the small things no mind, and found an odd humor in people who put so much weight on them. “Everyone is walking their own path, each of them with their own trials and struggles that only they know. I say to go a little crazy, and live like nobody’s watching,” she said, licking her fingers clean.

  Rico shook his head and smiled. “You are an amazing woman, Jenny.” She curtsied in her brown dress that she hand-stitched herself. He looked down and saw that her sandals were worn down, practically destroyed. He made a note to buy her a new pair; maybe a gift for when he sees her tomorrow. She would like that.

  They left the market and strolled down main street to smiles and greetings from strangers on the street. “Everyone’s awfully nice today,” Rico noted.

  “It’s because we’re glowing, dear. It’s nice to see two people find love in such a crazy world.” Her hand swung in his as she began to skip. He joined in, laughing and skipping with her down the street like no one was watching—happy and carefree like a couple of kids. She spun around his outstretched arm and they danced in the street.

  The dancing stopped as a guard pulled Jenny from his hand, wrangling her towards the temple steps. “Hey! What the hell is going on?” Rico said and jumped towards the man who took Jenny. Five more guards stepped between them and shoved Rico back. “This woman is an enemy of the Religion, and we have orders to detain her.”