The Middle Realm

by Charmaine Theron

  “You’re going to pay for this,” Elektra spat the words out at Gruff. “You’re nothing but a…”

  Scrawny clamped his hand over Elektra’s mouth.

  The captured mare flattened her ears.

  Gruff waved his hand at Scrawny ordering him to release Elektra.

  “You say I’m a what?” Gruff asked.

  Elektra retorted venomously, “A coward!”

  Gruff threw his head back and howled. “A coward. In what way?”

  “You captured me without a fair fight. You throw orders around while you stand back and your pathetic friend risks his life instead of you – someone whom you clearly care nothing for.”

  Scrawny shook his head, his grimy hair falling over his protruding eyes. “Don’t fall for it – she’s tricking you.”

  “Untie her,” Gruff demanded.

  Scrawny squeaked, “We shouldn’t.”

  “Do it.”

  Scrawny’s eyes flicked from side to side nervously as he untied Elektra.

  “If I win… then you free my horse.”

  Pandora snorted appreciatively.

  “And if you lose?” Gruff tilted his head arrogantly.

  “It is what it is… we’re your prisoners to keep,” said Elektra.

  “That makes no sense, you’re our prisoners already,” Scrawny said. “You’re fighting for nothing.”

  “I’m fighting to prove that I’m not a coward. And anyway, you’re going to lose, girl.”

  “Girl?” Elektra scoffed. “The name’s Elektra.”

  “Hektor’s daughter!” shrieked Scrawny. “You can’t fight her. She’s… she’s the daughter of the commander – the commander of the Arete Army.”

  “Your name precedes you,” Gruff muttered.

  “Yes it does,” Elektra replied confidently.

  Scrawny tutted, “This is a bad idea, a bad idea – Lord Drakon won’t be pleased.”

  “Oh shut up,” Gruff snapped. “All you do is complain. Make yourself useful and give her your sword.”

  The other guards edged away as Gruff placed his feet on the outer etchings of the symbol. Elektra swished the sword up and down to get a feel for it. Scrawny backed away toward the podium, where he hopped up onto the marble platform hoping that he’d be out of harm’s way.

  Gruff circled in a clockwise direction and Elektra followed, keeping her distance. Pandora whinnied. Gruff’s eyes darted to the mare and Elektra lunged forward at him during his moment of distraction. But he was quicker than she had anticipated and he knocked Elektra to the floor, the edge of his sword slicing over her back. Elektra’s sword clattered on the stone. She scrambled backward, scooping it up before she righted herself.

  He’s toying with me, Elektra thought. But two can play the same game.

  Elektra raised her sword and charged Gruff. Just before she reached him, she vaulted over his head and landed nimbly on the other side. Taken aback by her unexpected move, Gruff whirled around but not before Elektra attacked. The tip of her sword pierced the side of his belly. Gruff collapsed clutching his stomach.

  Scrawny let out a terrified scream, turned and fled the amphitheatre.

  “You’ll live,” Elektra said pompously. “But remember, my horse goes free.”

  Gruff nodded, keeping his word. “Free the horse.”

  The guards hesitantly untied the ropes from around Pandora’s neck. The mare trotted to the cavern’s ledge where she vanished into the black mist.

  Elektra tossed her sword to the ground.

  “You’ve learned to be a great fighter… like your father,” Gruff admitted.

  As he finished his sentence, the guards swarmed around Elektra, arresting her. Moments later, they marched her to the dungeons.

  Chapter 35

  The Dark Guardian’s Curse

  Ash blinked. The air around him was misty and, above Mount Hieros, the enormous black cloud swirled. He tried to sit up but his arms and legs were bound and his sword was gone. Tall columns rose heavenward above him like rigid soldiers standing guard.

  “Throw him in the dungeons,” a familiar voice ordered the warriors.

  Turning his head sideways, Ash’s eyes locked onto Raven’s dark, narrow eyes. She raised an arched eyebrow and a feeling of dread tugged at his stomach. He recalled the moment when he’d discovered that Raven had impersonated Naomi. Had she really faked Naomi’s personality, her unfailing strength and composure? Was there not a tiny trace of morality hidden deep inside her dark soul?

  Water splashed out of a nearby fountain and Ash immediately focused on the movement. Curling his fingers inwards, he summoned the water. But the droplets remained motionless. His senses were dulled. Had he lost his powers? What had the mist done to him?

  “The four elements…” Raven pondered. “Quite impressive that you can control them.”

  “Not anymore,” Ash retorted. “Drakon did a fine job of removing my powers.”

  “Drakon’s only making sure that the Guardians can’t use the energy source from the Sphere… which I might add… makes you just an ordinary boy,” Raven smirked.

  “And you’re nothing but an evil girl…” spat Ash, “…who deceives her own friends.”

  “You’re still harping on the past,” Raven sneered. “And you were never my friend to start with – namby-pambys are not my type.”

  “Let me loose, then we’ll see who’s weak,” Ash replied scathingly.

  “A contest…. that could be interesting.” Raven narrowed her eyes. “But we don’t have time for that right now.”

  “Ha… so you’re backing out,” Ash said. “Just as I thought.”

  “I don’t need to prove myself to you. I’ve already proved myself to Drakon and he’s the only one who counts.”

  “And you believe that he’s looking out for your best interests?” Ash laughed mirthlessly. “The last time I checked, Drakon was only concerned about himself – he’s power-hungry. You’re just a stepping-stone for him.”

  “Your words mean nothing to me,” said Raven.

  “The Fallen will never accept you. They were Drakon’s first followers… you were only ever a recruit to be used in the war.”

  “Speak for yourself! The Seraphians will never accept you now that Maksimos has returned. He’s the greatest Guardian that ever was – you’re nothing more than a failing shadow in his footsteps.”

  “Whatever Drakon’s telling you, he’s lying… he hasn’t told you the entire truth. Opening the Hecate isn’t the answer.”

  “What does it matter? It’ll all be over soon.”

  “Raven, listen to me—”

  “Shut your mouth.” Raven kicked the side of the cart on which Ash lay. “The dungeons,” she yelled at the guards. “Take him to the dungeons.”

  The guards surrounded the cart shoving Ash off it. He crashed to the ground and, while he was down, Raven kicked him in the ribs. The guards heckled him. Ash buckled over but did not retaliate because, if he did, it would only result in further bodily harm. Two guards seized his arms, dragging him to his feet. He stumbled between them toward the stairway.

  Finally he was returning to Aether, but not in the way that he had imagined. But now that he was here his hope was renewed that Aether could somehow rekindle his powers. He was sure that the Dark Guardian had placed a curse on him.

  Inside the dungeons, the air was oppressively thick. The mist had permeated the entire City, seeking out the Guardians and eliminating their powers.

  Kyros, who was normally the loudest one, was now the quietest of them all. Perched on the end of his unsteady bed, he deliberated in silence.

  On the other hand Maksimos paced up and down. “Guards… guards… I order you to release us!” he demanded as he rattled the cell door. Only after he had used his energy in a futile attempt to summon the guards did he settle down next to Kyros.

  Ash sat on the floor of his cell. His ribs ached as he eased himself into a cross-legged position, staring hopelessly at the stone wall in front of
him. Chance and Zack were also among the detained, but the guards had separated Ash from anyone that he knew, throwing him inside a small cell in solitude. Thanos and Galene’s prison cells flanked his.

  The murmurs soon died down and a disheartening silence spread throughout the dungeons as realisation set in. The Guardians and Hajaran soldiers were locked away. There was no one else on the outside who could rescue them. The rebels, who had wanted to fight alongside the Hajaran Army, weren’t skilled enough to fight on their own. It would be a whitewash.

  Ash couldn’t tear his thoughts away from Elektra. Had she escaped Drakon’s wrath or was she a prisoner here too? He had persistently called out her name earlier, but this had unsettled the prisoners further, so he’d stopped.

  A scraping sound emanated from Thanos’s cell. “What a waste of time, so much time,” he muttered, breaking the silence.

  “Nothing’s a waste of time,” Galene responded.

  “You didn’t think that the other day,” Thanos snapped.

  “So you had a plan and it didn’t work out – another idea will come to you.”

  Thanos emitted a throaty gurgle. “Like what? Throw stones with my bare hands at the guards and make a run for it?”

  “Our gifts are not all that we have. Thanos, you’re wise, and your steadfastness will always lead us in the right direction. And, Kyros…”

  “Yes Galene?” Kyros answered from the other cell.

  “You’re strong and can fight like a bear. Ash, you’re smart and analytical, which helps with strategising. And Maksimos… you’re a great leader.”

  “But it would be better if we had our powers,” Ash admitted despairingly.

  “Our powers shouldn’t define who we are. If we use our abilities together we can defeat Drakon,” Galene reassured them.

  Maksimos cleared his throat. “Thanos, Drakon said that you had agreed to perform the ritual.”

  Taken aback by the accusation, Thanos retaliated, “Betraying my people to slither with a serpent… now that’s something only you’re capable of.”

  “I was only questioning—”

  “What? What Drakon said? And you’d believe a weasel like him? You’ve been gone far too long. You can’t just waltz back here and make accusations like that!”

  “Perhaps with our powers gone we won’t be able to open the Hecate,” Galene intervened calmly, as she tried to defuse the tension.

  “Drakon would never have risked using the counter-spell if that was the case. He knows what he’s doing. We’re Guardians in every respect so we’ll still have our connection to Aether. The only difference now is that we cannot use our element energy. Somehow, the mist has inhibited our powers,” clarified Thanos.

  “So they’re not… not totally gone?” Ash asked. “Only inhibited?”

  “I guess so. There’s an old legend scribed about the Nyx – the Night Mist – once it has fed off our souls it’ll send us to hell. Looks like it’s a false legend… possibly only created to scare the Guardians off,” Thanos chuckled.

  “And speaking of powers,” added Kyros, “Ash, you failed to tell me something important.”

  Ash’s mind had drifted. He couldn’t stop worrying about Elektra. Where was she? What had happened to her? His natural instinct was to escape the dungeons and find her, but he didn’t know how to do that, not without his powers. He felt helpless. Raven was right; he was only an ordinary boy without them.

  “Ash!” Kyros said. “Are you listening?”

  “Um – what?”

  “Since when could you control all the elements?” Kyros probed.

  “I-I can’t remember to be honest,” stammered Ash.

  Kyros ran his hands through his long hair. “Well you shouldn’t keep secrets from your mentor.”

  “It might have happened that one day – remember, when we were in the Skeletos desert – I moved the sand and no one believed me,” Ash revealed.

  But truthfully he wasn’t sure if he had done that. The first time that he had consciously experienced his elemental magic was in the rock temple. But if he admitted this it would arouse suspicion in Maksimos and he’d realise that Ash had been in the temple at that time.

  In the cell next door Thanos stroked his beard. “The oracle once told me… what were her exact words? Yes, now I remember… He’ll be of great value to all, but even greater importance to the Guardians,” Thanos recited, his voice booming down the tunnels.

  “Who would be of importance?” Maksimos asked, and a troubled expression creased his brow.

  “She predicted this long before the Dark War.” Thanos waved his hands and kicked his booted foot at the mound of stones, sending them clattering to the ground. “Ash is the only one who can save us. The only one who can go up against Drakon.”

  Ash snorted. “In case you’ve forgotten, I’ve lost all my powers.”

  “The August Moon,” Galene reminded them bleakly. “We only have two days left to do something…”

  No one answered and a feeling of dread settled over them.

  Ash climbed onto his makeshift bed. It swayed beneath his weight. He lay down and clasped his hands over his churning stomach. Shutting his eyes, he wished that this nightmare would end. The sooner he fell asleep, the faster tomorrow would come. And they’d be closer to their doom.

  Chapter 36

  The Third Portal

  Keys clanked against metal waking Ash with a start. He rose and walked stiffly over to the iron-grated cell door. A guard was outside. Next door, Thanos peered through the bars, eyeing the guard fixedly. As the guard unlocked Ash’s door, fear flickered in the man’s eyes. Ash inclined his head. Was the guard scared of him? The man’s scrawny hand shook as he turned the key and swung the door open. Ash stepped out and trudged in front of the guard, disappearing into the labyrinth of dimly-lit tunnels.

  Drakon waited on the marble podium, his hands clutched in front of him. Raven flanked him and the Fallen had assembled around them. Ash stared at the bronze locket around Drakon’s neck. If only he could control the air it would be so easy to retrieve the locket.

  Drakon smirked at Ash. “Would you care to join me?”

  Ash’s shoulders slumped and he bowed his head.

  “We’re going on a little day trip,” Drakon said cheerily.

  This is the end, thought Ash. There was nothing more that he could do. He’d done everything possible, but without his powers, Drakon was unstoppable. They might as well relinquish the Guardianship and perhaps Drakon would let them live if they performed the ritual. What had Kyros previously said – ‘Ye, the One, shall rule them all.’ It would be Drakon after all; there was no doubt about that.

  Just then Ash had an idea and, in that moment he knew what he had to do. He lifted his head and stared boldly at the Dark Guardian. He didn’t need his powers or even his sword; he believed that, as an ordinary boy, he could accomplish anything that he put his mind too.

  The journey to the sacred temple didn’t take long. Drakon left Ash outside with the guards while he entered the temple to speak to the oracle.

  Lykou crouched on the mossy pathway, licking his paws inconsolably as if tending to invisible wounds. Ash knelt and clicked his fingers. Lykou popped his head up, but the wolf’s steel-blue eyes reflected aloofness and he snarled instead. Ash reeled back in shock, tripping on the pathway and twisting his ankle.

  “Ouch,” he yelled, as the pain spiked up his leg. Even though his ankle had healed it was still weak.

  The guard raised his spear, warning Ash. Meanwhile, Lykou slunk off into the surrounding woods.

  “Damn! I need to sit down.” Ash indicated the temple where four uneven steps led up to the wooden doors.

  The tall guard eyed Ash distrustfully, but the other guard shrugged and replied, “No harm in it.”

  Ash hobbled over to the steps, flanked by the guards. After plonking himself down he rubbed his ankle. The guards stepped back and ambled to their positions.

  The muffled voices of Drakon and t
he oracle filtered through the crack in the wooden doors. Ash shuffled backward until his back rested against the door and he closed his eyes, concentrating on their words.

  “It’s time now, Drakon…” The oracle’s voice sounded different, softer, and more feminine.

  “Once we open the Hecate we’ll break its hold – all will be restored as before,” Drakon replied in a low tone.

  “It’s been going on for over two centuries. It might be easier said than done.”

  “There’re many prophecies. If only our forefathers could have entrusted us with the truth then we’d know for certain what the outcome would be,” Drakon said.

  “They did it on purpose to protect the Guardianship. To make sure that the Guardians never wanted to open it,” the oracle pointed out. “But sadly there’s a bad seed among us.”

  “I should have warned them long ago – now I’m forced to open it,” Drakon replied, justifying his choice.

  “The others would never have believed you anyway. It made them see what it wanted them to see.”

  “But how wrong they’ve all been,” Drakon interjected. “I have to do this – there’s no other way.” Drakon’s voice had an urgency to it.

  Ash tilted his head, pressing his ear closer to the door.

  Drakon continued, “Raven informed me that the third portal is here.”

  The oracle inclined her head. “Right beneath your feet.”

  “You knew all along,” said Drakon.

  “I didn’t want to make it too easy for you. Where’s the fun in that, darling? I was going to tell you if she didn’t succeed.”

  Ash shuddered. Was his imagination playing tricks on him? The oracle fancied Drakon.

  Drakon laughed. “You haven’t changed one bit.”

  Ash leaned too heavily against the door and it creaked. Footsteps shuffled closer. Drakon heaved the door open and Ash tumbled at his feet.

  Pushing himself up, Ash rubbed his eyes. “You woke me,” he said, as he feigned a yawn.