by Ritu Ghosh
“Aaron!” Brandon came towards him “It’s you” he jumped on Aaron and hugged him. “I knew you would come for me” The stones had stopped moving and were now fallen on the floor everywhere.
“Brandon, you are alright. Thank God” Aaron hugged him back.
Jane and Flynn came running at the sound of them and stood near them.
“But how did you stay alive here with these monsters outside?” Flynn asked as he saw Brandon.
“My stones saved me!” said Brandon. “Look Aaron, this is what I wanted to show you that day” and then he made the stones move around him.
“How did you learn to do that Brandon?” asked Aaron in surprise.
“He is a natural Aaron. He was born with such powers. You can say it is a gift from your mother.” Jane gently pulled Brandon close to her and patted him on his head.
“May be you can get us out of here too” said Flynn.
“Sure, no problem” he stared at the stones again and they started to encircle him. They came to the main door and watched Brandon do his magic. With great speed, the stones hit the door and broke the lock. The door opened and they came back to the dark passage.
“We have to find a way out” said Jane panting as she looked in every direction for the Krigan. They had taken just a few more steps, and they saw the giant spider at the end of their path.
“Food escaping..” it hissed.
Smaller spiders came out from every direction. They were half the size of the giant spider. They poured out of the holes and cracks. Flynn closed his eyes and began to pray.
“What do we do now?” Jane asked. She was scared.
“There is only one way through this” Aaron pulled his sword and stared to attack the smaller spiders one by one. Jane joined him too; she held her thin sword and tiny lights stared to come out of it which killed the spiders immediately.
“Flynn, I need your help” Aaron screamed as he was not able to get all of them. Flynn opened his eyes finally. He took a deep breath and gathered his courage. He pulled the knives out of his belt and started to throw them randomly at the spiders.
“This one is for Sandra” he said as he hit one of the spiders.
Brandon was also hitting as many spiders as he could with his stones. He made a barrier around himself with the stones, to keep the spiders away.
“This is not helping, there are so many of them” said Jane. She was getting tired.
“Then we have to do something else” Aaron said. He looked around and found the Krigan standing at a distance hissing. Aaron made his way towards the Krigan through the spiders. “Let’s cut this from the root.”
Aaron and the Krigan stood facing each other for a moment. Aaron tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword. Sweat dripped from behind his ears. He looked into the many shining green eyes of the Krigan that glowed now. He knew that this was his only chance to escape. Kill or get killed, as Dan had told him.
With a swift movement, Aaron hit on one of the legs of the Krigan. The Krigan went off balance and cried in pain as its leg fell off. This made the Krigan very angry, it made a louder hissing voice and its fangs came out of its mouth. Aaron backed a little. Jane, Flynn and Brandon were still fighting the other spiders.
The Krigan regained his balance, dark blood dripped from its wound. It came close to Aaron and tried to bite his neck. Aaron moved his sword towards the Krigan’s face and pierced its eye. The Krigan went mad with pain. It tried to trample Aaron under its legs but Aaron pulled himself out and ran to the other side of the dark uneven passage, away from the other spiders. The Krigan followed Aaron instantly. Many smaller spiders went along with the Krigan.
Aaron ran through the dark passage, he fell many times as he hit the ditches and fallen rocks on the floor. All his hopes of escaping had died. He came to the end of the passage and there was no way he could go any further. There was no turning back. His path was blocked. He could hear Jane calling his name many times. The Krigan stopped in front of him and the other spiders slowly advanced towards him. Aaron stood there sweating with his sword in his hands. He waited for the Krigan and the other spiders to attack. There was nothing much he could do now.
The Krigan hissed. “Kill… kill…food for all…”
The smaller spiders came close to Aaron and tried to bite him. But Aaron killed them with his sword. Many spiders were dead. Finally, the Krigan came towards Aaron with its fangs out. With its two legs, the Krigan hit Aaron on his legs. Aaron slipped and fell hard on the ground. His sword fell next to him.
The Krigan hissed with its fangs pointed at Aaron as it jumped over him “Die..” it said.
Suddenly, the Sicil stone fell out of Aaron’s shirt and there was a bright explosion of light which blinded the Krigan, it screeched. Aaron quickly grabbed his sword and held it strait above him as the Krigan landed on him. The sword drove right through the Krigan. It dropped dead on Aaron.
Aaron felt dizzy, he was hurt. He could hear the footsteps of Jane and Flynn coming towards him.
“Aaron are you ok?” Jane was very worried “Aaron say something”
Flynn and Brandon knelt next to him on his either sides. Finally, Aaron coughed and said “I can move if you lift this thing off me” and smiled.
With all their strength, they picked up the body of the Krigan off Aaron and threw it aside. Aaron finally could breathe freely again. Flynn helped him get up on his feet. Jane hugged him and said “I am so glad you are not hurt” Aaron hugged her back and Brandon chuckled. They separated quickly.
“What was that bright light?” asked Jane.
“It’s my mother’s gift to me” he gave Jane a mischievous smile as he showed her the pendent.
“We still need to find Sandra. I hope she is fine.” Flynn reminded them.
“This will show us the way” said Aaron and took the pendent off his neck. He held it in his hands and whispered to it. “Find Sandra” The Sicil stone began to glow. It then left Aaron’s hands and stared to float in the air. They followed the Sicil stone. The spiders were all gone and the entire path was clear now. The stone was floating through the passage and lighting the path for them. It led them to a small door and then fell on the ground. The stone was glowing faintly now.
Aaron picked the pendent up and put it back on his neck. He opened the door and looked inside. With the faint light of the Sicil stone they looked for Sandra.
“Sandra, Sandra” Flynn called many times but nobody replied.
“No... Sandra” Jane said with a trembling voice. She was kneeling next to someone lying on the floor.
Flynn came running to Jane. “Jane did you find…”
Flynn’s eyes fell on Sandra. She was lying on the floor. She was all blue and cold. Flynn sat beside her and shook her many times. “Sandra wake up.. Sandra…”
Jane looked at Aaron. Aaron gave out a sigh.
Jane gently touched Flynn’s shoulder. “Flynn, she won’t wake up. She is poisoned.”
“No, don’t say that. There has to be something we can do. You know what to do, right?” Flynn asked as his voice broke.
“Flynn it’s too late. The poison has spread to her entire body. There is nothing we can do. She is dead.” Jane said and broke into tears. Aaron stroked her back softly.
“No!” Flynn said as his voice died in his throat. He sat silently for sometime next to Sandra holding her cold hands.
“We should go Flynn. What if the spiders come back?” Aaron said in a low voice and walked Jane out of the room. Brandon followed them.
Flynn knelt on top of Sandra. And held her face in his hands. He kissed her forehead and said “I wanted the kiss at the dance and I knew you wanted it too.” Flynn lowered his head and kissed Sandra on her cold lips. Flynn’s tears fell on Sandra’s cheeks, he stood up. He looked back once more before he finally left the room and joined the rest of them.
“This is the way out” said Aaron as he followed the Sicil stone again. Flynn was silent. Jane clutched on to little Brandon’s hand
s as they walked. They came to a big wooden door.
“We need to open this door” Aaron said looking at Jane.
Aaron and Flynn tried their best to open the door. They kicked, pushed and even tried to break the lock. But the door didn’t budge.
“I think this is a job for someone else.” Jane said and winked at Brandon who happily pulled out a few stones out of his pocket. He concentrated on the stones and made them hit the lock of the door. After a few attempts, he was able to break the lock. Light came in from the broken door and flooded the room. It was morning outside. They broke what was left of the door and came outside. They were in a forest now.
“Where are we? What is this place?” Flynn asked Aaron.
“I don’t know. Let’s check it out” Aaron said pulling out the map from his pocket.
The path to the Troll Mountains had disappeared on the map. Only one tiny spec remained.
“Arktor” Aaron said with a smile “We have made it to Arktor. At the end of this forest, is the kingdom of Arktor”
“Do you think the others are alright?” asked Jane.
“I don’t know. We must go to Arktor and wait for them” said Aaron.
They started to walk through the forest making small stops to rest as Brandon couldn’t keep up with them.
“Aaron, Brandon doesn’t look very well. He hasn’t eaten anything for days. He looks very weary” Jane told Aaron as Brandon sat down unexpectedly on the ground. “We have to find water and food for him.”
But it was too late. Before they could do anything, Brandon collapsed on the ground.
“Brandon!” Aaron rushed to take him in his arms.
Aaron ran though the forest carrying Brandon.
“Hold on Brandon, we are almost there.” Aaron said as he ran.
Flynn and Jane followed him.
Chapter 21
The Palace of Thodin
In the palace of Arktor, Alfadon was having a council with king Thodin. Ony and Belster had retired to their rooms after the big breakfast.
“Thodin, I fear an attack of the Lurgs is near. Arktor may be in danger” Alfadon said pulling a puff on his long pipe.
“If there is an attack, we will be ready for it. My army has been fighting with the Lurgs for years Alfadon. There is nothing to fear” said Thodin.
“This is not a normal army of Lurgs I am talking about Thodin. This time Mordok is with them, he has power of the Dragons. His army is much powerful than what you have fought before. These monsters are bred only to destroy and kill. They have no mercy and no rules” said Alfadon.
Thodin looked grim and worried.
Alfadon continued “Mordok is now controlled by the Evil Force, not a single nation is going to survive the wrath of the Dark Lord. He wants to turn the world into his Dark Kingdom. He will now make sure that you join him or surrender”
“I will never join the Dark Lord” Thodin said with anger in his eyes. “I will fight to death before any such thing happens”
“Then prepare your armies Thodin and wait for the Dark Lord to attack. Stay more alert at night. The enemy can attack anytime now” said Alfadon.
Alfadon then told Thodin everything about his journey, about the Fairyland and the missing stone of Merthyl, about Mordok and the Northern Kingdoms.
“Help, please help us. We need help” these words were repeated by someone outside the palace. Alfadon and Thodin rushed to the window to look outside.
Aaron was standing there with Brandon in his arms. Alfadon came down immediately.
“Alfadon!” They all exclaimed. All of them were happy to see Alfadon after a long time.
“Alfadon, I need help. Brandon fell unconscious in the jungle.” Aaron said in a hurry.
Alfadon took Brandon from Aaron and rushed inside the palace. Aaron, Jane and Flynn followed him.
Alfadon went to a big room and put Brandon on a bed. Thodin arrived shortly with the palace doctor who examined Brandon for some time.
“There is nothing to worry. He will be fine in no time. He collapsed out of fatigue” the doctor said. This brought relief to everyone.
After a while, all of them left the room leaving Brandon to rest and came out into the hall.
“Aaron, meet Thodin. The king of Giants and a good old friend of mine” Alfadon introduced Aaron to Thodin.
“Ah, I get to meet you at last. I’ve heard a lot about you” said Thodin bowing to Aaron.
Thodin looked a lot like Ony except that he wore royal robes and had a crown on his head. He also wore a long pendent with a symbol that Aaron remembered seeing somewhere before.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you sir” said Aaron. He bowed to the king. Alfadon introduces Jane and Flynn as well.
After talking for a brief while, they were taken to the royal dining hall where they had the best food of their life. Flynn ate a little of everything that was laid out on the big tables.
“Where are the others? Are they out of the Dungeons?” asked Jane. Aaron and Flynn gave her a blank stare. “I will go and ask Alfadon” she said and left the breakfast table. Aaron and Flynn still ate.
Ony and Belster walked into the dining hall after talking to Jane.
“Good to see you, I hope the path was not hard” Ony winked at Flynn. Flynn smiled with his mouth full of chocolate tart. “And you found Brandon. I can’t believe it, nobody has ever gotten in and out of the Troll dungeons before. I have to say you are the bravest kids I know”
“We are not kids!” Aaron snapped.
Ony laughed loud grabbing onto an apple tart.
“Where is Sandra?” asked Belster suddenly. “She was not with Jane”
Aaron and Flynn stopped eating and looked down. None of them could say anything.
“Why are you not saying anything? Where is my daughter?” Belster got impatient.
“She didn’t make it” said Jane who just walked back to the dining room.
Belster stood still for a moment. Tears began to form in his eyes. Without moving, he said “Why didn’t you tell me the moment you came in?” said Belster and came towards Aaron with rage. “It must be your fault that she is not with us”
“Its nobody fault Belster” Ony came in between. “You brought her into a war. What did you expect?”
“I trained her well. She could protect herself, but these worthless kids with no training came back. They must have done something to kill my Sandra” Belster was not able to keep a hold on himself.
“Belster” said Alfadon “Hold your tongue, how dare you speak like this about any Defender?”
Belster shrugged and stood with his head hung down.
“Sandra has died a warrior’s death. The Gods of the heavens will have a special place for her Belster. Do not mourn for her” said Alfadon. “Every Defender is more worthy than you think. As far as the training concerns, it comes later. First, the Defenders are born with wits and courage. And these young Defenders have proven themselves well”
He turned towards Aaron “Come with me Aaron, Flynn and Jane; we should have a word with king Thodin now”
Alfadon left with the three of them but Belster stood there with an unspoken grief in his heart. He eyed Aaron and said to himself “I know it’s your fault”
Alfadon led them to the king’s chamber. Thodin was sitting alone on a big couch “You wished to speak to the young Defenders my majesty” Alfadon smirked.
Thodin got up and gave them a great welcome. After all of them settled down in their seats, Thodin began. “You all know how the Defenders have protected our world from the Evil Force” Everyone nodded.
“But now, there is a bigger danger that is coming our way. The Dark Lord has received the ultimate life giving elixir that will bring him back to life again. He can come back to his previous human form anytime, and he has become more powerful than ever. We have to be ready for anything now.” added Alfadon.
“But we are ready, aren’t we?” asked Aaron.
“No you are not. Not until all of you pas
s the test” said Thodin.
“What test?” asked Flynn.
“The test of the true Defenders” said Alfadon “Which will be held in the Kingdom of Light”
“We have to take you there but before that, we should get you prepared. The time has come for another big war. Before the Evil raises its head again, we have to be fully prepared” said Thodin
“Your training is more important than ever now. Today, you shall take rest. We will begin from tomorrow” said Alfadon.
As they all got up to leave, Thodin caught a glimpse of Aaron’s sword “What is the sword that you carry?” he asked.
Aaron took the sword along with its sheath and held it in both hands in front of Thodin.
“This is the sword of my great grandfather Logan, passed on to me” Aaron said.
“Of course it is. But do you know whose sword this originally was?” Thodin said looking delighted.
Aaron shook his head.
“The sword you hold in your hands is the Sword of the Heavens. This sword was originally given to the Giants by our Gods. You see Aaron; the Gods of the Giants were the weapon makers for the other Gods. When these Gods saw the evil that we Giants had to deal with, they sent seven swords down from the heavens for the seven rulers of the kingdoms of Giants. Over the ages, only one has survived and you have it in your hands. This sword holds powers that even we don’t know about. The legends say that if it’s in your hands, you are invincible. Take good care of it Aaron”
“But I though it belonged to my Great Grandfather, Logan” Aaron was confused.
“Yes it does, but this sword first belonged to my grandfather Rohanin. This was a valuable treasure of Arktor. Logan met him during one of his visits to Arktor. There was a monster attack on Arktor at the same time and Logan saved my grandfather. My grandfather was so impressed by Logan’s skills that he rewarded him with the Sword of the Heavens. Later, Logan killed the Dark Lord with this very sword.”
Aaron listened in awe. He looked at Alfadon who assured him that all this was true.
“We shall meet again in the fighting arena tomorrow. Then you can show me what can you do with this sword” said Thodin smiling. He said farewell to all.
