“Good job Matt!” George yelled out in encouragement as Rene looked on with impassive indifference.
“Candidate Rising, you have completed the Trial of Earth. Do you wish to enter the second ring?” Rene asked with the same ceremony and waited for my answer.
“Yes,” I said after regaining my breath.
“Then enter the second circle, Candidate Rising.” I stepped from the first circle onto the white-colored stones of the second. Rene waited to make sure that I was ready, then bellowed, “Let the Trial of Air begin.” He turned over the time crystal.
The white stone illuminated with growing intensity under my feet. There was a rushing noise, like wind in tall grass, and a breeze rose up until it was tugging at my shirt, clutching at my clothes. Its strength mounted and I fought against it but the pressure continued to build and build.
I felt the maelstrom around me until the power of the wind was too much and I was pulled heavenward. I was whipped like a rag over the white stone, round and round, and it was difficult to keep focused. The nausea intensified as the dim lights swam around me like carnival lights on a Tilt-a-whirl.
I tried to focus on a single point somewhere in the distance, and for some reason, I saw Devon Pazuzu staring at me from the stands. His glare was so malicious I concentrated on it, allowing it to give me the steel I needed to get through this test. I didn’t know why he hated me, but I could tell by the look in his eyes that he did. I also realized that this trial was not going to stop me no matter how I felt, so I did the only thing I could. I clenched every muscle in my body and tried to focus on his deep, dark eyes, promising him I would go on.
At that, I used my body to channel the air around me, using it to soar. I used the flow of air rather than fighting it. The wind’s strength continued to grow. I was blown around like a leaf in the wind. But now, I moved my body to guide the flowing air and control its effect on me. I found that I could glide as I circled over the white stone much like George had in that chasm with Pele and the menehunes.
I screamed in triumph as I felt myself taming the tornado, circling faster and faster over the white stone beneath, like a surfer at Pipeline, rising and falling in the wind-swept vortex.
“Yeah!” The word escaped my mouth with joy. I was jubilant and would enjoy the moment. The motion took me faster and faster and I dove, taking advantage of the strength of the wind. It was like surfing without any water to drown me. I felt free and alive.
There was the same bong, and the winds gently died. My feet touched white stone, and I stepped lightly to a stop. I noticed more people had come to watch. Some of them clapped from the stands. I had no idea where they had come from.
“Matthew, you show off!” George yelled, and many laughed.
Rene remained as impassive as ever. “Candidate Rising, you have completed the Trial of Air. Do you wish to enter the Third Circle?”
“Yes!” I cried out defiantly. A cheer rose up from the surrounding onlookers. Aunt Emily smiled from her seat. I glanced over at Ricco, and if looks could kill, I’d be dead. But Pazuzu still stared. His hawkish expression was even creepier than before.
“Then enter the third circle, Candidate Rising.” I stepped from the second circle onto the orange-colored stones of the third. Again, Rene waited until I was set. “Let the Trial of Fire begin,” he said and turned the Time Crystal over again.
The orange stone flared to life and plumes of flame burst through cracks in the stone. I jumped and moved to avoid the torch-like bursts. One of the flames got too close and a sound like newly opened plastic was paired with the smell of burnt hair. I reached up to find that the hair on the left side of my head was curling with the heat of the close call.
The flame spouts increased until there were too many to avoid. I could feel my skin searing as I ran from place to place. My shirt smoldered and my jeans were on fire. I ran, and the fire grew hotter. Wildly, I tried to escape, but there was nowhere to go.
Finally, there was nowhere else to run and I remembered Burney Falls, and the power I controlled, the flames that rose into the air. I’d had enough of running anyway. I stood there alone in the wall of flame and said a single word.
“Enough.”
And the flames obeyed, much like they had at the falls. I gathered its power, taking away its ability to burn and setting it to work for me instead. It swirled and I basked in the maelstrom, the fire burning until I cast it out and it skyrocketed upward, exploding against the cavern ceiling far overhead.
I didn’t know I could do that, but my pendant did. I’d forgotten it was there. It was such a part of me. But I realized it was actively helping me, assisting me, giving me energy and power when I needed it. It made me feel better that I wasn’t alone in the rings of stone. It warmed against my skin; almost as if it were telling me, Of course I’m here. Where else would I be?
The flame lit spectacularly, illuminating the large group of onlookers. They clapped and awed appreciatively. I even noticed Dr. Bigfoot, from the transport place, was watching as well. With a smile, I nodded at the hairy guy and he nodded back. Then I heard the murmurings of a single word that ran like wildfire through the stands, Mashiach. The noise of the crowd rose until it was a chant.
Mashiach
Mashiach.
Mashiach.
Only the glare of those around Pazuzu silenced the growing chant.
The bong sounded and the flames disappeared.
Rene stared at my smoking jeans and made a motion with his hand. The heat disappeared. “Candidate Rising, your control of fire was to be expected, knowing your lineage.” I didn’t know what to make of that, but the corners of his lips lifted upward and I didn’t want to ruin the moment. Besides, up until now, I didn’t know what was going on, so why start now? “But,” Rene continued. “I think you will find the next Trial to be much more difficult.” He rose from his seat, his eyes piercing in its intensity.
“Candidate Rising, you have completed the Trial of Fire. Do you wish to enter the fourth circle?” Rene reverted back to the same expressionless ceremony although I thought I saw just a bit of a gleam in his eyes.
“Yes.” I was exhausted with the effort of the last challenge. Doing whatever I had done with the fire was really hard work. I felt weary to the bones and could use a little nap.
“Then enter the fourth circle, Candidate Rising.”
I stepped from the orange stone to the blue circle and waited. “Let the Trial of Water begin.” Rene turned the crystal.
This time, there was a noticeable pause as sparkling blue walls illuminated over the edges of the circle. Below me, the stone flashed to life and water seeped through its cracks, wetting my feet.
The chamber filled quickly, reaching my ankles in seconds. It soon reached my knees, then my waist. In a matter of a minute, it was up to my neck.
I floated off the stone and let the water slowly push me along a slow current. I swam, trying to keep my head up until the water level reached the very top of the walls.
I reached up and felt a solid ceiling to the enclosure. The water surface continued to rise and I had nowhere to go. I was trapped and quickly found myself below its surface.
I pounded at the ceiling, trying to break through. The memory of almost drowning at the bottom of Burney Falls as I clawed for my life returned with a vengeance.
I panicked.
I jerked haphazardly, trying to will myself through the ceiling, but it was no use. Then I noticed that the water was pouring out over the side of the translucent walls and if water could escape, I’d be able to escape as well. I swam toward the outer wall as my lungs began to burn, trying to keep calm, but my chest was on fire and the logical part of my mind was slipping away. The reptilian part, the part that was only interested in survival, remained. I swam with the ferocity of an animal.
I was just about to reach out for the outer wall when I looked down and saw that the stone I floated over was completely dry. How could that be? I was swimming above it. The reptilia
n brain screamed at me to break through, to get out, but the human in me said no.
At that moment, I understood why it was so important for humans to complete the test, why we as a species needed to prove to the galaxy that we could become one of them.
Each of us had the reptile brain within us that needed to survive at any cost. Instinctually, our primitive self would do anything to live. Our species would do anything to survive. It would destroy our world and continue on to the rest of the galaxy in order to continue, to propagate. Even if by doing so, we sealed our own fate and the fate of everything else in the universe.
I knew what needed to be done as my chest burned and my vision blurred. In the end, I decided that I would be human and I would not cross the circle, come what may. With salvation just beyond the bluish-lit wall, the burning in my chest finally consumed me and I gave in. My body overruled my mind and I gasped, taking a huge breath. But instead of water sweeping down into my lungs, precious oxygen rushed in, filling me. I almost cried as I floated, breathing what felt like water.
I laughed and swam languidly over the blue stone, even going so far as to wave at Aunt Emily.
But suddenly, real liquid poured into my mouth and down my throat, filling my lungs, suffocating me. I thrashed and kicked as the very real water flooded in. I tried to scream but was unable to.
There was a shriek in the distance and George was at the edge of the enclosure, standing completely on the rings.
“Matthew!” he yelled, the water muffling the sound. He banged at the enclosure, trying to find a way in, trying to get me out. I pounded against the ceiling but began to see stars. My chest heaved and I gurgled strangled screams just as I had under Burney Falls, struggling for air that was just not there. My body was about to give in. I was about to drown.
“Matthew!” I heard a voice again, a female voice. Abruptly, the blue walls disappeared and the water, real water flooded out of its enclosure, flowing onto the cavern floor and rushing out, carrying me with it, leaving me on my back in a wet mess.
George was by my side in that second.
“Matthew! Are you okay?”
I bent over, gagging and sputtering until I spat up a torrent of liquid. George tried to help me up, but I waved him away until I was able to speak. Rene and Aunt Emily stood there, the worry on Aunt Emily’s face clear.
“That was not supposed to happen?” I asked between coughs.
“No,” Rene answered.
“He could have died,” Aunt Emily said.
“You okay?” George helped me to my feet.
“What happened?” Aunt Emily asked Rene.
But before Rene could answer, there was a voice from the stands.
“You all see what is happening? They are interfering with the test.” I looked up. Devon Pazuzu faced the crowd, many of them nodding in agreement. “You see how he protects them?” Pazuzu called out to those behind him. “He would have all of us believe that this is the Mashiach?” He said, the word a sneer.
Rene looked grim as he helped me to my feet. “There was outside interference,” he said. But there was doubt on his face.
“It is just as I’ve said. They are trying to fool us to believe these rabble are worthy to Rise.”
“There was tampering. I will request an investigation,” Rene said.
“Investigate? What? Investigate the fact that this brat has failed. He is tainted but you would have us believe otherwise. I, for one, will not believe your lies, Rene. You were always so taken by these vile creatures and even now, you cannot see them for what they are. The scum that the Universe should be rid of.”
Rene stared at Devon Pazuzu. I realized that although he was speaking to us, the words were meant for all those in the stands behind him.
“You investigate, Rene. You investigate and I will be diligent in making sure that the traditions are followed.” Pazuzu left the amphitheater. Ricco followed closely behind. I watched as he put his arm around Maya. She looked down at us and shrugged his arm off; her face angry, her lips set firmly. She pulled away. I lost her as she disappeared into the crowd.
My attention came back to Aunt Emily and the large towel she was handing me. “So what happened?” I asked as I wrenched the water from my shirt and began to towel myself off.
“The test replicates water but as you already figured out, it isn’t real. Someone put real water in the enclosure. Only someone with a water talent could do that,” Rene said.
“Pazuzu could do it,” Aunt Emily said.
“Devon Pazuzu,” Rene said. “It seems the game begins anew.”
“What game?”
“The game played to save the Earth, Mr. Rising. The game I’ve played against Pazuzu and his Kind for many millennia.”
Before I could ask another question, a large man in a blue uniform walked toward me. It was the same blue uniform my father wore and I immediately didn’t like him.
“Rene.” Taking off his hat and placing it under his left arm, he nodded at the old man but his eyes never left mine. I didn’t know who this guy was, but the way Rene would not meet his gaze or mine led me to believe he made Rene uncomfortable.
“To what do we owe the pleasure?” Rene asked awkwardly.
“Rumors have been going around about this young man, and I came to substantiate. You know, normal Section 9 procedure. A pity, his failure,” he said.
“I will speak with the Council; there were extenuating circumstances. He will be retested.” By the crinkling of his face and the way he wouldn’t meet the man’s eyes, I could tell Rene didn’t like him.
“I’m sure the matter will be rectified one way or the other,” he said. Turning toward me, he extended his hand. “Colonel Hearst, and you are?” I glanced over at Rene, who nodded. I shook his hand.
“Matthew. Matthew Rising,” I answered although I was aware he knew exactly who I was.
“Rising? You John’s boy?” the Colonel inquired.
“Yes.”
“Very impressive, young man; of course, up until that last part. Water, it’ll get you if you let it,” he said. Now that he was closer, I noticed his short-cropped hair was so blond it was almost white, and his teeth were large, like teeth from a denture commercial. He reminded me of a gigantic Ken doll, and I found that even more irritating.
“Yes. Well there was some kind of sabotage,” Rene said.
“Section 9 will be very interested in your progress,” Colonel Hearst told me, ignoring Rene, his eyes boring into mine. “By the way, Rene. The Council has convened.”
Rene’s brow rose as he glared at the Colonel. “I wasn’t informed.”
“Well, need to know and all that. They insist on your appearance, you and Emily. Can we expect you tonight?” the Colonel asked. I could tell he was taking perverse pleasure in being the messenger. I could also tell by the way Rene bristled that he was not someone that was simply called for.
Rene nodded. “Inform the Council I will be there. I will inform Emily of their request.”
“Matthew.” The Colonel nodded and left.
“Who was that guy?” I asked Rene.
“I’ll tell you later,” the old man said. “I will speak with the Council concerning today’s incident,” Rene said to himself. “But until we get resolution, you will resume your training in the Elements as soon as I return. That, at least, we can do,” he said and stormed off, not looking back.
George was talking with a group on the far side of the rings. He must have been telling a joke because they laughed. They seemed to know him and from the looks of it, they had known each other for a long time. That made me realize just how out of place I was. Once again, I was the ha’ole, a foreigner in a place I had even less understanding of.
Dad had dragged me all over the world to locations I had no idea where I was, in countries that I didn’t even know what language they were speaking. I’d always been the outsider and I was so tired of it. Tired of watching the mothers hugging their children, fathers staring at their sons with
proud eyes from the stands. That was something my father never did. Not once could I ever say he looked at me with pride. More like anger and maybe a bit of disgust.
It wasn’t easy being the son of a military man, especially one who had an unknown agenda. But now he wasn’t here and I was forced to face another world I didn’t know anything about.
Maya caught my eye as she approached. It sent me on edge, like a bird watching a cat stalking it. Her dragon tattoo was even more lifelike than the first time I’d seen her. She stared, sizing up her prey, as if calculating if she could swallow me whole. Waiting for me to say something, her forehead furrowed with impatience. I was surprised at just how much she looked like Kayla.
Finally, I think she reached the conclusion that I wasn’t going to say anything.
“What are you doing tonight?” she asked, smacking her lips as she spoke.
“Don’t know. Why?”
“Ricco asked me to tell you he’s sorry about what happened in town.”
“Who? The asshole with the Humvee?”
She stared at me like I was a dimwit. “Yeah. Listen, he can be a real pain in the ass. But, after your failure today, maybe he can give you an alternative to being cast out.”
“Cast out?”
“You don’t know?”
“Know what?”
“You failed the test. The Council will be forced to purge you of any knowledge of the Malakhim. I’m surprised no one told you?”
“George mentioned something about that.”
“Ricco can give you another option,” she said.
“Now why would I want anything from that guy? He’s an asshole. I don’t even know why you’re hanging out with him. Besides, Rene told me he’s going to go to some Council and have me re-tested.”
Her eyes hardened. “Yeah, the parents of every failure say that. Come to the party. Ricco will tell you the truth of what’s really going on.”
“Yeah, you know what, I don’t think so.”
Fallen Angels Page 15
