by Marc Lindsay
‘I don’t even know why I’m surprised, given where we are,’ Jason growled as he continued upwards. They got to the upper landing where it branched off into three separate corridors, none of them inviting.
‘Where to?’ Selene asked. Wendy pointed to the left hand one.
‘Through there,’ she said.
‘This is taking way too long,’ Jason said frustration and anger in his voice. ‘We need to move faster.’ He strode towards the corridor with the other two closely in tow. This new corridor was smaller, more confined, even with Wendy’s light they had trouble seeing through the gloom.
‘I don’t understand how it can be so dark, even with my enhanced vision, I’m almost running blind?’ Jason said.
‘It doesn’t help when everything’s black,’ Wendy said holding her book up to one of the closest walls, its light illuminating the walls surface.
‘Oh God,’ Wendy stammered taking a step away. They all stared at dozens of children’s bodies, black and tangled, woven into the very stone. Wendy grunted and the light from the book pulsed bright lighting the entire tunnel showing the three teenagers that the bodies were everywhere, including the ceiling.
‘They’re real aren’t they?’ Wendy asked her voice strained.
‘I think so. Wendy turned the light down, I don’t want to see their faces,’ Selene said. Almost immediately the light dimmed and Wendy let out a small breath from the exertion.
‘Are you alright?’ Jason asked concerned.
‘I’m fine, just a little winded,’ Wendy replied.
‘Good, because we’re going to need you in here,’ Selene said. Wendy grinned despite the horrors around them, having Selene’s honesty about her importance bolstering the younger girl’s courage.
They came to the end of the corridor and into the edge of a large lake, its waters dark and grey, a light mist rolling across its surface. At the centre of the lake a small isle covered in more dead trees and at its centre, large stone monoliths arranged in a circle similar to stone henge. A brilliant white light at its core. In the sky above dozens of black shapes circling the isle, they recognised them from earlier. Harpies.
‘How can this be even possible,’ Jason said peering back down the corridor they had just come from.
‘It’s magic of course,’ Wendy said in awe.
‘You’re starting to gush again,’ Selene said rolling her eyes. Wendy shrugged sheepishly.
‘Sorry.’
‘I’m betting that light is the Icarus stone,’ Jason said wearily.
‘Ya think,’ Selene replied sarcastically. ‘I’m sorry, I’m just thinking how the hell are we supposed to get across?’
‘I’m thinking that you two wait here, I’ll go for a quick dip. And I’ll be bac…’
‘There is no way that you’re going there alone,’ Selene said with sudden fury.
‘I understand your concern, but I can’t think of any other way that we can all get across. This is by far the most practical way to retrieve the stone,’ Jason said. Selene notched an arrow and fired it into the lakes water. The arrow hissed upon entry, then as if things couldn’t get any worse a red tinged tentacle broke the surface blindly seeking for whatever had moments earlier entered the water, it splashed about wildly before disappearing back into the depths, only ripples on the water remaining.
I’m pretty sure that swimming across is no longer an option either,’ Selene said. Jason was about to reply but stern looks from both girls silenced him immediately.
‘It’s all good telling me what I can’t do, but you’re not giving me any options, we need that stone,’ Jason emphasised. As Selene and Jason argued about what they should do next, Wendy watched in detached fascination as a dark shape appeared on the horizon. A small boat, gliding across the water from around the isle. It was heading in their direction.
‘A boat,’ Wendy yelled out, her outburst silencing the bickering couple. The both turned and watched the approaching vessel.
‘This can’t be good,’ Jason said.
As the boat got closer they could see a single figure cloaked in a heavy robe, its features hidden. The figure was pushing the boat through the water with the assistance of a long pole.
‘Really. Could this image be any more cliché,’ Selene said.
‘There is always an order to the chaos, even if it’s not obvious at first,’ Wendy said as if reciting from a book.
‘I don’t want to know where you came up with that little pearl of wisdom,’ Selene said.
‘Sssshhhhh,’ Jason said loudly. ‘Let’s try and be professional. Whoever or whatever that figure is, it’s nearly here. So put your game faces on, I think we’ve only got one shot at this. OK,’ Jason said.
‘I think we should take him out and steal his boat,’ Selene grumbled loudly. Jason growled and gave her a please behave yourself glance.
The boat and its Captain hit the shore, its bow sliding to a halt on the smooth pebbles. The boat looked a little like a gondola, similar to those found cruising the canals in Venice. The craft had been constructed from a black timber Jason assumed grew on the isle on the lake. It was short, wide and plain with limited seating, but what really made it stand out was its magnificently detailed carved horse head mounted from the boats bow.
‘We have no argument with you, what are your intentions,’ Jason growled. There was no response from the hooded stranger, Jason looked at Selene and shrugged, with a flick of her head she motioned for him to go on. ‘We need to get to the isle, can you help?’
The hooded figure pulled its pole from the water and tapped the side of the boat with a heavy thud. Jason and the girls peered into the side of the boat and saw a skull sitting there, missing the top of the cranium it was filled with all manner of coins, silver, brass, copper.
‘I think we need to pay for his services,’ Wendy said.
‘How much is the question,’ Selene replied loudly, but the figure was silent. She reached into a pocket and pulled out a small handful of change. Selene tossed it all into the top of the skull, all except one coin which she replaced into her pocket. ‘You’ll get the rest when you bring us back,’ She said with an edge of savagery and without waiting for a reply climbed aboard the vessel, Jason was next followed by Wendy. They sat there waiting.
‘What now?’ Wendy asked. The cloaked figure pushed the boat from the shore and started towards the isle. Apart from the sound of the water lapping against the boats hull the air was abnormally silent.
‘So? How long have you been running this chartered service?’ Selene asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Jason sighed and dropped his face into his hands.
‘We met a man named Pollax who told us there was something lurking in the tower, something that wants us. Is this true?’ Wendy asked. The cloaked figure stopped mid-stroke and regarded the young girl, despite the fact that its face was obscured by its hood., the hooded figure nodded.
‘We’ve yet to see it. Where is it now?’ Jason asked. The cloaked figure turned its gaze towards Jason who could see two burning red orbs in the darkness of the hood, Jason held the creatures stare despite the fear he felt in his stomach. The figure raised an arm and pointed and for the first time they were able to see what lay beneath the cloak, a skeletal hand the colour of bronze. They looked in the direction in which it indicated. The isle ahead.
‘Of course. I’d be disappointed if it weren’t on the isle,’ Selene said in what Jason thought was an almost eagerness. They travelled the rest of the trip in silence watching as the isle loomed ahead.
They rounded the west side of the isle where they could see a small ramshackle jetty moored on a quiet cove. The boat docked and they disembarked carefully fearing the stability of the jetty with the heavy creaking of the timber underfoot. Jason turned and regarded the mysterious figure.
‘This was a two-way trip. I’m trusting you’ll be here when we get back?’ Jason said sternly. The figure didn’t say anything. ‘I’ll take your silence as agreement.’
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nbsp; As they walked off Selene patted Jason’s arm in a reassuring manner.
‘That’s it tiger, I think he’s sufficiently scared, I doubt he’s going anywhere,’ Selene said.
‘Ha. You’re hilarious. He’s our only way off this isle. I had to try something,’ Jason said.
‘I know,’ Selene replied squeezing his hand.
‘Wendy, consult that book of yours, we need to find out how to handle this Icarus stone and also what is guarding it?’ Jason asked.
‘I’m on it Jace,’ Wendy replied, immediately consulting the book. Selene looked at Jason and mouthed the word Jace, he shrugged back. They walked from the shore and towards the black woods, from the water they looked small and inconsequential, but up close, giant and eerily familiar. They passed the skeletal remains of warriors lying inert on the ground, the gleaming white of their bones could be seen under the various types and styles of armour. Jason thought he recognised ancient Greek and the distinctive helmet of a Conquistador.
‘How we going, Wendy?’ Jason asked, but the younger girl was in deep conversation with her book?.
‘Do I need to even ask you to stay sharp?’ Jason asked, her response was a raised eyebrow. ‘Okay, okay. I’m just getting a funky vibe right now, kinda like a calm before the storm.’
‘I know what you mean, we’re in deep behind enemy lines and we don’t even know what the enemy looks like yet,’ Selene said.
‘Or what our goal looks like. We just have to be prepared for the worse,’ Jason said.
‘And what is that?’ Selene asked, stopping in her tracks.
‘Getting the stone is our sole focus, but if things get……,’
‘Get what,’ Selene said, grabbing his arm.
‘If things go to hell, grab the stone, grab Wendy and get back to the boat,’ Jason said in all seriousness.
‘Like hell, I’m not leaving you here,’ Selene said anger in her voice. Jason grabbed her shoulder.
‘Hey. I’m not planning on staying. But with you two clear I’ll cut loose then catch up,’ Jason said.
‘Ah, this is your tough guy speech.’
‘Guys,’ Wendy interrupted. They turned to hear what news she had. ‘I have good news and bad news.’
‘I’ll take the good first,’ Jason said.
‘The Icarus stone is an orb about the size of my palm. We already know that it glows like a mini sun but it won’t burn us,’ Wendy said.
‘Why not?’ Selene asked.
‘Only the warmth of the living can hold the stone,’ Wendy said.
‘Makes sense. If you want to keep something safe. Place it in the middle of a nightmare that can’t touch it either,’ Jason mused.
‘What’s the bad news?’ Selene asked.
‘It’s not bad news as such, rather no news. The book hasn’t heard of anything that is supposed to be guarding the stone. Actually, I think that’s good news,’ Wendy said. Selene and Jason gave her a puzzled look. ‘Think about it. If it were a real threat, wouldn’t there be a ton of information on it.’
‘That’s wishful thinking,’ Jason said.
‘Maybe there’s no information on it because no one has lived to tell the tale,’ Selene said. The look of realisation on Wendy’s face was almost comical. Walking through the trees the isle was deathly silent, only the crunching sound of their footsteps on the white sand could be heard.
‘After everything that’s happened to us since entering the midnight garden, it’s kind of unusual that this part of the journey is turning out to be the quietest?’ Jason mused.
‘Don’t jinx us,’ Selene replied keeping her bow trained on their surroundings.
‘I get the feeling that we’re being watched,’ Wendy said.
‘Yeah we are. Those harpies up there,’ Jason pointed to the black shapes flying over-head.
‘No, I mean yes of course those things, but there’s something else,’ Wendy trailed off.
‘You’re just spooked,’ Jason said.
‘No, something’s watching us. I can feel its presence,’ Wendy said with a conviction that was almost unnatural.
‘It doesn’t matter,’ Selene said. Both Jason and Wendy turned in her direction. ‘Because whatever chooses to show its ugly face is gonna lose it,’ Neither Jason or Wendy didn’t doubt her. They could now see the arranged stone altar in the distance and the fierce glow within. The forest of black trees formed a perfect circle around the stone alter which itself was arranged in a similar shape. Even in his were-lion form Jason was dwarfed by the stone pillars of the altar, placing a hand upon the first one he approached he snatched it away as if it were fire.
‘Are you alright?’ Selene asked.
‘It’s, it’s ice cold and…’
‘And what,’
‘And, it’s humming,’ Jason struggled to explain. ‘Vibrating, pulsating,’
Selene and Wendy both placed hands on the stones, their touch lingering longer than Jason’s.
‘Whoa, I can feel it in my bones,’ Selene said.
‘Maybe you shouldn’t touch it too long,’ Jason said concerned.
‘I think it’s trying to talk,’ Wendy said, both her hands now pressing against the stone.
‘What’s it saying?’ Selene asked.
‘I don’t know, it’s like whispering in the distance, but I can’t make it out,’ Wendy said.
‘That’s enough,’ Jason said concerned, he was already uncomfortable with the way the younger girl conversed with her book. ‘I don’t trust anything in this realm. I don’t want it messing with our minds.’
Wendy removed her hands and dusted them off, looking a little stung by his words as it was obvious he was only referring to her.
As they passed the outer component of the altar they could now see the brilliant light of the Icarus stone, more warrior bodies lay around its glow their bodies warped, battered and mutilated by something with inhuman strength and savagery. All three of them were now shielding their eyes from the brunt of its impact. Selene was the first to see it.
‘Oh my God. It’s beautiful,’ Selene breathed. There were five long obelisks lying horizontal around the stone, like seats around a campfire. The Icarus stone hovered above an intricately carved base depicting images of men battling demon hordes. The stone itself was a brilliant pure white light the size of a small ball just like Wendy had said, around the stone was a glowing energy field roughly two metres in diameter.
‘How do we get to it?’ Jason asked.
‘The book says it won’t harm us, I guess one of us grabs it then we can go home,’ Wendy replied. At the mention of home, the energy field changed colour and an image rippled across its surface, a rough looking house with an ill-kempt front yard.
‘That’s my house,’ Wendy whispered. ‘I don’t understand?’
‘It changed when you said home,’ Selene replied, and as if on cue the image changed showing them Selene’s house.
‘Is that what the Icarus stone does? Act as some kind of image finder,’ Jason asked.
‘I don’t know but we’re not here to figure it out, but rather bring it back,’ Selene said.
Jason nodded and moved slowly towards the stone, his hand passing harmlessly through the energy field. Jason’s outstretched hand reached carefully towards the glowing orb, his fingers inches from the prize when a voice boomed out from nowhere, the isle shook from its power.
‘YOU SHOULD HAVE REMAINED UNDER YOUR ROCK, WHELPS,’ The Voice said. The isle continued to shake even after the words had been uttered. They all fell to the ground under its impact.
Jason was the first to recover, his were-lion shape changing to a being of solid stone, large blunt and powerful, iron grey with eyes of blazing green.
‘Show yourself,’ Jason thundered. There was silence then a deep guttural laughter erupted, followed by more tremors.
‘MEN HAVE CLAWED THEIR EYES OUT AFTER CASTING THEIR GAZE UPON ME. WOMEN HAVE KILLED THEMSELVES AND THEIR YOUNG AFTER VIEWING MY VISAGE,’ the voice said.
/> ‘Where I’m from we call that ugly,’ Selene said trying hard to put up a brave front.
‘All we want is the stone, then we’ll be on our way,’ Jason said with authority.
‘ALL YOU SHALL RECEIVE IS DEATH,’ the voice replied. Jason lunged and grasped the Icarus stone, its brilliant light dying immediately.
‘AAARRGGGHHH,’ The voice bellowed and the isle shook violently.
‘Be ready,’ Jason growled. They all tensed ready for an imminent assault. They weren’t disappointed.
The sound of rushing water was their first warning, they looked towards the lake and saw an enormous shape rising from the black depths. Despite the fact that they were expecting an attack, it didn’t stop the three of them standing there dumbstruck as a leviathan started to take shape. Wendy’s first thought was Lovecraft, the demon-god known as Cthululu, Selene’s was the Kraken from the old Clash of the Titan’s movie, Jason’s was ‘CRAP’. The giant figure was still rising from the water and from what Jason could make out only the head had emerged, dark in colour and definitely amphibian in texture. As it rose, the being slowly turned its three eyes and fixed its gaze upon the three of them.
‘Get to the wharf,’ Jason yelled, Selene grabbed Wendy and dragged her away from the watery horror. Jason with the Icarus stone in hand transformed into a centaur, realising the uselessness of his stony form against the might of a giant.
‘THERE IS NO ESCAPE FROM MY WRATH,’ the voice echoed. They literally ran for their lives back through the black trees towards their paid transportation. Jason scooped up Wendy, tossing her onto his back, thus freeing up Selene to sprint ahead. Jason cast a look back at their opponent who was now waist clear of the water, a mess of powerful limbs and tentacles. The Captain of the small vessel was waiting and seemed unfazed by the current commotion. Selene dived into the boat and waved for them to hurry up. Jason was moments behind, leaping into the boat and transforming mid-air both he and Wendy tumbling roughly into their seats.
