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by Brad Stucki

  If it came to it, could a person totally blank their emotions enough to resist?

  This little show was progressing well. Kaffen had just caught sight of Javin and his friends emerging from the brush. Nemesis ‘pushed’ just ever more slightly to make their capture even more urgent. Yes, this is going well, Nemesis thought. And then . . .

  There was confusion in the mind of Kaffen. It was almost like Javin and his friends had disappeared. Nemesis tried to focus more through the mind-lens, but there was no sign of Javin or his friends. They had been standing right in front of Kaffen. They hadn’t raised any defensive weapons that he had sensed. And Kaffen was still conscious. His confusion was deep and unsettled. Nemesis couldn’t make out what it was. It was clear he was staring at something he couldn’t comprehend. And it was right where Javin and his friends had been, but nothing was registering.

  Had Javin found a way to make himself and his friends invisible? Was that something they’d learned to do through the ‘Gestalt stones?’

  Nemesis tried to link closer, and the confusion from Kaffen only grew to the point it was too disturbing. He moved on to another of the Guards. He experienced the same thing, only not as intense. The difference in intensity was because of the emotional attachment Kaffen had with the Keeper. He tried another of the Guards. Still the same thing.

  What had happened? Nemesis pounded his fist on the table and the Article sitting there toppled with the jarring. Nemesis grabbed for it and broke his concentration. With it the link was severed and the energy snapped back like an arc of electricity, shocking Nemesis so strongly it crackled through his mind and body like a physical shock. He fell to the ground, body and mind tingling; dazed and confused.

  It took him a moment to recover. But with his recovery he began thinking about what he could do. He'd moved to avoid possible detection by Javin and his friends. But it had also put him at risk with his Masters for moving without their permission. He had to do something to produce results and, more importantly, get some answers for himself. Then there was the aspect of possible punishment if he didn't do as he'd promised. He shuddered.

  A desperate idea sprang to mind. Javin and his friends were on this world trying to find him. Why not let them? They were trying to get to him, so when he was ready, he'd drop his shielding just enough to let them detect him. They'd surely come to him then, and when they arrived, he'd have a trap waiting. They would be captured, he'd be able to interrogate them using the Articles and his gestalt stone, strip them of all their memories, and then turn Javin over to his Masters and kill his pet sidekick.

  Nemesis smiled as he closed his eyes and mentally reached for the 2nd Article of Power, reactivating it, and using it's building energy to reach out to the nearest enclave. He would gather some warriors and set them around the pyramid and some inside the portal room to capture Javin and his friends as they came through. The only problem was figuring out how overcome their apparent invisibility. Well, he'd work through that too as he set his guards.

  Chapter 18

  Javin led them back through the overgrowth to the little clearing they’d just left. They stopped briefly to catch their breath. He listened carefully but didn’t hear sounds of pursuit. It was all so confusing. What was going on?

  “They should be coming.” Kokos said. “Kaffen knows of this place. I’m surprised that he isn’t following.”

  “What is happening?” Sauros asked. “Why are they seeking to capture us? And why did they act so strangely when we were right with them? It was as if they couldn’t see us, yet we were right in front of them. And Kaffen spoke directly to you. He asked if you were real?”

  “He did,” Kokos agreed. “But I don’t know why. It’s very strange.”

  “They are being influenced by Nemesis,” Javin said, still listening for any signs of pursuit. “Remember the hold he had on the Pontu’ gi?”

  Sauros thought a moment and then nodded. “Yes, I remember.”

  Javin was referring to the time on Sauros' world where a race of people had come under the influence of Nemesis to do his bidding in taking over that planet.

  “Those people,” Javin explained for the benefit of Kokos, “were under the control of Nemesis. We don’t know how he did it, but he did. This time, though, I could feel it.”

  Sauros again nodded. “Yes, that strange tingling?”

  “This time,” Javin continued, “it was stronger, or maybe I could sense it better.”

  “It must be the power of an Article,” Sauros said. “He is learning to use them. The power of Creation and we see the hastening of the growth of the foliage. The power of Emotion and we see that he is now controlling people, though more directly this time. With the Pontu’ gi, it was as if they were in a trance. With these, they were awake, able to speak, though confused. However, once he touched Kokos, he seemed to come to himself.”

  “No, it was still different,” Kokos said. “I could see it in his eyes. He wasn’t completely himself. Kaffen never would have taken hold of me that way, and never would have accepted an order to apprehend and hold the ‘Keeper’.”

  “Again, they were under Nemesis’ control. And then they got confused. You notice when?” Javin asked them both.

  “It was when we shielded,” Sauros said, nodding his head. He could see where Javin was going. “The shielding somehow interrupted their perception of us. Almost like we had become clouded in some way. Like they could see us but not 'comprehend' who we were.”

  “The shielding is more than just physical then. It must also block us from Nemesis and what he is trying to do. Kaffen could still see us and speak to us, but it confused him. I wouldn’t want to bank on him always being that way. Nemesis will figure it out as easily as we did and figure a way around it.”

  “Bank?” Kokos asked.

  Javin stared at her and realized what had happened. “Another weird word?” He turned to Sauros who nodded again.

  “Sorry,” Javin said. “A figure of speech from wherever it is I come from.”

  “You become more confusing by the day,” Kokos said.

  “You get used to it,” Sauros said. “Now what?”

  “We can’t go back, can we? Will the influence wear off? How did you defeat Nemesis control over these . . . Pontu’ gi?”

  “I’m afraid our friend, the leader of the Pontu’ gi jolted them all asleep. He paid for it, though, with his life. Still it bought the necessary time to drive Nemesis off that world.”

  “Can we do that here?”

  “I’m not sure how he did it,” Javin said. “And it wouldn’t last forever. We need to do something like that when we’re ready to confront Nemesis and capture--”

  “Or ‘kill’ him,” Sauros interrupted.

  Javin stared at Sauros, ‘felt’ his anger at Nemesis for being the one who killed his betrothed, and realized it was one of the strongest reasons Sauros wanted to stay close to Javin.

  “Yes, or kill him. He certainly deserves it,” Javin agreed. “But first, if we can capture him, maybe we can find out what is really going on.”

  He looked at Sauros, who nodded reluctantly.

  “We can’t stay here,” Kokos said. “They know of this place.”

  “I have an idea,” Javin said. “There might be a place where they won’t look immediately at least. And before we head in that direction, we can raid the garden and stock up on water so we have supplies.”

  “They pyramid?” Sauros asked.

  “Yes,” Javin nodded.

  “The what?” Kokos asked.

  “What is the large stone structure down in the valley along the road before arriving at your enclave? It is tall and narrows at the top with a square building. It looks like it's not being used.”

  “That is the temple. We have always been taught it is forbidden and dangerous to go there until we are summoned.”

  “How are you summoned?” Javin asked.

  Kokos thought a moment. “We would just ‘know’ are all the records said.” />
  “Have your people obeyed that command? They’ve just stayed away?”

  “Of course not!” Kokos said. “There have been those who have quietly said their curiosity took them to the site. But they have also said that those whose comrades went inside didn’t come out. And they were afraid to enter themselves. That cured the curiosity of anyone for the recollection of my lifetime.”

  “Then that’s the perfect place,” Javin said.

  “What about the part where those who went inside never come out?” Kokos asked.

  “We have that covered,” Javin said.

  “Covered?” Kokos asked.

  Javin shook his head and Sauros chuckled.

  “It means it’s okay,” Sauros interjected. “Just listen to the meaning, not the word, and just go with it. It’s easier that way.” He touched Javin’s shoulder. “Let’s start. Kokos can gather the water. You and I will circle through off the trail and gather some food from the garden. It doesn’t seem to need any preparation to eat it – at least of the food we’ve eaten since being here.” He looked at Kokos.

  “All the fruit is edible raw. That’s the way we mostly eat it. The juices we consume are pressed from certain of the fruits. So if you gather an assortment, it should suite us well.”

  “Then we can make our way to the Pyramid. Once inside, we can further discuss our next actions. And I suggest we all remain shielded . . .”

  Javin nodded.

  Kokos looked at them both in turn then shrugged.

  Chapter 19

  They finally arrived at the base of the pyramid. It was much larger and farther away than Javin and Sauros had originally thought. Kokos continued to assure them they were traveling in the right direction since she was most familiar with her world. They had a much harder time making it through the thickening growth of the jungle.

  Kokos finally revealed her secret navigational abilities. During one rest stop when they had questioned her about how she knew what direction to travel, she pointed up. I am following the roof of our world. It has certain features I can track and keep my general direction. Also, as we near the temple, there is a smoothing of the ceiling almost as if it had been polished just above the pyramid.

  Javin and Sauros had looked up at that point and it dawned on them she was right. The ceiling of the cavernous world had distinct features that could be made out and they could see how they could track their direction.

  “Thank you for your insight, and please forgive us our lack of faith in your abilities,” Javin had said. He had been a bit embarrassed he hadn’t thought of that.

  “It is nothing to worry over,” Kokos had answered. “As children we are taught to do this so we never get lost.”

  As they had moved slowly through the jungle terrain, they had also talked with Kokos more about her world, its culture and people. Also its history. They learned there were 7 different enclaves, all loosely in contact with each other. There was limited trade and intermarrying and gatherings between the enclaves.

  Occasionally, there had been fighting until Koko’s great grandfather had brokered a peace agreement between all the enclaves. A court had been established for representatives of each enclave to appear to hear grievances between the enclaves. If one or two enclaves ever became a threat to the peace, the other enclaves would unite and sanction them, or as in one case Kokos knew of, the other enclaves banded together, took warriors and unseated the king and let the people of that enclave choose a new king who would abide by the peace. Since that day, the enclaves had known relative peace, though not always a strong bond of trust.

  Another thing they discussed is the length of history. On Kokos’ world the history went back only 1,000 years. Javin remarked the difference to Sauros’ world, as well as the similarities.

  On Sauros’ world, there had been 7 cities organized independently with separate kings and ‘Keepers’ but they also had a 7,000 year history instead of only 1,000.

  “Is that significant, you think?” Sauros had asked.

  “It must be,” Javin had said. There is no coincidence that both worlds are so similar in every other way.

  “The organization of each world is the same, all with the same governing structure. Each world has had the ‘record’ book which tells of the history of the people, but it also has the brief mention of the ‘Promised Ones’ and that picture we all have seen. So far, we’ve seen four of the seven races shown.

  Kokos looked at Javin. “I have seen only three,” she said. Is there another you have seen? – wait.” She was silent a moment going into her newly acquired memories obtained through the ‘sharing.’

  “I see him now. This is Chahzuu whom you said was able to break the spell Nemesis had over his people?”

  “The very same,” Javin had answered.

  “There are three more we haven’t encountered,” Sauros said. “And I have a feeling that whatever we are involved in must take us in contact with each of these races for some reason. After all, we three are now part of that prophecy.”

  Koko’s gasped as the realization hit her. “You mean . . . But I’m not . . . I wasn’t supposed to be the Keeper. It was supposed to be my brother. I’m not sure it’s right. I could make a mistake. I could ruin things for everyone because I’m not really one of the ‘Promised Ones.’”

  “Relax,” Javin had comforted her. “I think the crystals – what you call the ‘Gift’ -- would only merge with someone who was the ‘right’ one. Don’t you think?” Javin had turned to Sauros.

  He nodded in agreement.

  “I don’t know about Javin, but when I saw my crystal for the first time I ‘knew’ it was to be mine. There was no question about it.”

  “I felt that too,” Javin had said. “The crystal actually ‘found’ me. And I suspect the same thing happened for you. Your crystal found its rightful home?”

  Kokos was silent a moment remembering the secret longing she’d held to be the Keeper, and when she’d seen the ‘Gift’ emerge from her father’s breast and held out to her, she had felt as if it had always belonged to her as well. Then she felt guilty because her brother had disappeared and she received the ‘Gift’ by default. This brought her to wonder if her brother had left willingly or by force, so that she could inherit the 'Gift'.

  “I can see you are ‘feeling’ we are right,” Javin said. “It’s good we will be at a place we can take some time to sort all this out.”

  Now at the base of the pyramid they were taking a final rest before ascending the stone steps. The jungle had come right to the foot of the great edifice and they had almost stumbled over the first step as they came through the final jungle screen to realize they had arrived.

  Javin marveled again at the structure. It was almost identical to those on Sauros’ world. It was also be identical to certain pyramids he held in the back of his mind as a vague memory. It wasn’t a memory really. Just that the images were ‘familiar.’ Like he’d seen them before . . . in another jungle someplace far away.

  The frustration of his blocked memories threatened to seep through his tight control until Sauros put a hand on his shoulder.

  “We are ready.”

  Climbing the steps of the pyramid wasn't that hard and didn't take that long. They took two rest stops during the climb, but compared to forcing their way through the ever thickening growth of the jungle it was easy.

  The top of the pyramid was a flattened plateau where was situated the squared building with darkened entrances on opposite sides into one of which they must go. Javin and Sauros knew what to expect. Kokos didn't, but she didn't need an explanation since the 'sharing.' During the climb, she had occupied herself by pulling up various memories of Javin or Sauros, trying to assimilate and understand. Memories of the pyramids on Sauros' world sprang easily to mind as the familiarity of the images pulled them forward.

  "It is amazing we have these on both our worlds," Kokos said. "It’s clear we are all part of some grand plan we can't conceive of."

  "
Yet," Sauros had corrected. "We are here to gain more answers to those question, as well as protecting your world from Nemesis."

  "Finding answers to one will help with the other," Javin agreed.

  "Which entry shall we use?" Kokos asked as she moved closer to the building. Javin was looking at this subterranean world's ceiling, marveling at the oddly smooth surface high above. Everywhere else the ceiling was craggy like the craggy top of a cave, except just above the pyramid. He wondered why.

  "I don't think it matters," Sauros answered Kokos, staring at where Javin was looking, then over to Kokos.

  "It matters to me," a voice came from the darkened opening of the building they were facing.

  Chapter 20

  Javin snapped his attention to where the voice had come. Sauros had done the same. Kokos however had gasped in astonishment and ran forward.

  "Wait!" Javin called, raising his hand.

  Kokos ignored his warning and before she could reach the darkened entrance, another man of Kokos' race stepped out into the light. Scarcely had he done so, than Kokos collided with and wrapped him in an exuberant embrace.

  It was at that point the integrated memories of Kokos in Javin's mind slipped into place, combined with the transferred-memory's familiarity of the voice.

  It was Kokos' missing brother! Javin looked at Sauros, who was providing one of his rare smiles for the occasion. His fanged teeth made for a gruesome appearance. Javin couldn't help it. He smiled too and they both moved forward.

  "I take it this is your missing brother?" Javin said, for lack of anything better to say to start the official introductions.

  "It is!" Kokos answered, still clinging to him. "He is alive! And he's here!"