by Yajat Sharma
“You have got it all wrong, like all the others,” the Scavenger sighed. “You don’t know the real story.”
“I am not interested in any of your stories.”
“I can prove it,” the Scavenger asserted. “Do you remember the two halves of the Lightning Sword the Twin Assassins had?”
“Of course!”
“Then you must know that only the person who never did one evil thing can join the Lightning Sword.”
Mascae nodded.
“You say I betrayed you. As a sworn servant of Arcane and his descendants, I have sinned.”
“Absolutely.”
“So I cannot join the Lightning Sword.”
“Obviously.”
“So then what’s this?” the Scavenger said, pulling out his sword, which glowed in the dark.
Mascae gasped, “The Lightning Sword! But how?”
“You are a soul now, Mascae. Your divine powers can be easily kindled. Just touch my Lightening Sword and you can reel back to that fateful day. Why not find the truth for yourself?”
The Scavenger raised his Lightening Sword. Mascae floated over it and vanished in an instant.
“You think he will return?” James asked.
The Scavenger nodded. “Yes. Truth ultimately prevails.”
A minute later, Mascae reappeared in his physical form.
“I am shocked. For centuries, I misunderstood you.” His voice sounded regretful and enlightened.
The Scavenger moved forward and hugged Mascae. Tears started flowing from their eyes. James could not stop his tears as well.
After a minute, the Scavenger spoke, “Let’s forget the past. You need salvation. The divine powers have chosen us as the medium.”
“Wandering all these years around this place has been like torture. I need salvation. The misunderstandings have now been cleared. Please help me out, dear Scavenger.”
“Please accompany us,” the Scavenger said.
They all joined hands. The Scavenger chanted a spell and the trio disappeared.
They appeared near their friends.
Archer asked, “Where is Mascae?”
The Scavenger looked around, but he too could not spot him.
“Did he leave us?” James asked.
“I am there, guys,” a voice came beside James. “Wait!”
Within seconds, Mascae appeared.
“Hi,” Mascae grumbled.
The Scavenger turned to Mascae. “You will get salvation only after you heal and close the Golden Wound!”
Mascae shook his head. “I can’t.”
“How can he talk?” Archer asked. “The riddle said the soul is mute.”
“The riddle, huh! It seems you haven’t understood it well. Being mute doesn’t mean that I can’t talk. It means that I can’t remember a few things related to my salvation. I can’t remember how to close the Golden Wound.”
James clicked his fingers, “Oh…! Don’t worry. The riddle provides the way. You need to drink the nectar from the Shrine of Youth!”
Mascae nodded. “Oh, that’s wonderful. Thankfully, I know how to get to the Shrine of Youth. Follow me.”
The Scavenger summoned the chariot, and they climbed in.
James felt a drop of water on his head and winced in pain.
He looked up at the sky. Dark indigo clouds slowly covered the sun and more drops began to fall.
“Find cover,” the Scavenger yelled. “Rain in the Dark World is poisonous!”
“There’s no cover!” Archer shouted as he looked around. The Scavenger knelt in the chariot and fumbled with a panel, pressing a button. A rectangular opening revealed itself in the middle of the chariot, big enough for them to enter.
“Get inside that,” he said, ushering them into the underground room.
James fell and descended on soft silk cushions in the small but well-furnished room. The room had carved chairs of ebony, upholstered with silk, and a matching table, on which sat a chestnut brown box in the shape of a walnut shell.
A large control panel and a big screen on the wall showed where they were heading. The Scavenger sat down on a chair and operated the controls.
James plopped down on a chair and curiously examined the walnut-shaped box. “Well, this is curious.”
“Who cares about that!” Matt said, looking around impatiently. “I am hungry.”
“You can eat whatever you want out of that box. Just put your hand in, imagine the food and pull your hand out,” the Scavenger explained.
Matt rushed towards James. “Give me that!”
It seemed like they were in a dreamland. Stuffing cheese-and-mince pies, strawberry cakes and dumplings, the children had a great feast.
Eating the delicious food made everyone drowsy. It didn’t take much time for them to fall asleep.
Suddenly, a considerable jerk shook the chariot. “Hey!” James cried indignantly as he was awakened from a peaceful sleep.
“What happened?” Archer asked, seeing a worried Scavenger.
“The chariot crashed into a Crostux, and a big one! It got killed with the impact, but the chariot skidded to the side, disturbing some monsters. They are now attacking us.”
The Scavenger continued, “Put on your armours; we need to fight. Who can man the chariot?”
“I will do that,” James said, scurrying to the Scavenger.
“It’s easy,” the Scavenger said as he wore his armour. “You will figure it out. We can’t let the monsters inside our chariot at any cost!”
The children took two swords each and followed the Scavenger above.
Hundreds of monsters were attacking from all sides, launching themselves at the chariot.
The Scavenger slew a monster that had climbed the chariot. “Do anything you want – just stop them. Use your powers!”
“Aye, aye, sir!” Daniel gave a mock salute.
The Scavenger then commanded, “Matt, take down the flying monsters.”
Matt nodded and started to summon powerful winds.
“Archer, if you see a monster coming too close to the wheel, throw fire. The traps will be activated. Don’t worry; the chariot won’t burn. Go!”
The Scavenger drew his Lightning Sword and leapt into battle.
A creature growled and ran towards the wheel. Archer blew fire and warded him off.
Suddenly, spears shot out from the chariot and headed towards the monsters. Immediately after, a cannonball launched from the chariot. Archer realized that James had quickly learnt how the control panel worked.
The monsters were huge in numbers.
The Scavenger shouted in panic towards Archer, “We can’t fight them. Tell James to speed up the chariot. We have to get out of here!”
Archer raced down below.
“James,” Archer shouted, “Increase the speed. We need to escape.”
James searched for a speed button when he saw the words ‘Rocket Propeller’ on a button.
Archer almost fell as the chariot burst out of there like a bullet.
“Tell the others to come down,” James said as he pulled the levers. “I am activating a force field on the chariot. It will protect us and will throw off anyone who tries to climb the chariot.”
Archer went above and found, to his dismay, that despite all the efforts, the chariot was swarming with monsters.
Archer quickly ushered the Scavenger and his friends inside to safety. As soon as they were in, James activated the force field and put the chariot in auto-drive mode.
“How come there are so many?” Archer asked.
“I don’t know,” the Scavenger said. “I am surprised myself.”
“Maybe Mascae will know…” Archer said, and frowned. “Hey, where’s Mascae?”
The Scavenger’s face paled and his fist clenched. Thoughts of Mascae leaving them crossed his mind.
“Hey, hey! I am here! On the bed,” an indignant Mascae called.
“Why aren’t you visible?” the Scavenger asked.
Af
ter a moment, Mascae appeared.
“We have left the monsters behind. The force field threw away whoever was on the deck,” James said, after returning from the deck above. “Also, dusk has fallen.”
The Scavenger let out a sigh of relief. “Good riddance.”
“How much time will it take to reach the Shrine of Youth?” James asked.
“Tell us, Mascae.” the Scavenger glanced at Mascae who was playing a computer game with Daniel.
“Busy,” Mascae said in a tense voice.
“Yippee, I win!” Daniel said, joyfully punching the air.
Mascae jumped in anger. “Again! Let’s play again.”
“Ex-King of the Dark World, jumping like a kid.” James rolled his eyes and asked Mascae about the hours left.
Mascae scratched his chin. “Hmm… half a day more? But I don’t mind. I am enjoying this video game. These amazing things were not there in my times.”
“I should straighten my legs then,” James muttered and collapsed on a sofa.
13
Archer had a dreamless sleep. He was woken up by the Scavenger.
“Come on! We have reached the Shrine of Youth,” Mascae said, looking out of the window.
Archer sat up groggily and found everyone putting on their armour.
The chariot spluttered to a halt.
The children looked around, but couldn’t see anything except trees.
“I can’t see any shrine,” James whined.
“It’s not visible to an untrained eye,” Mascae said haughtily. “But for trained ones…”
Mascae got off the chariot, followed by the others. He went towards a tree and floundered around it until he found something hidden in the coarse and flaky texture of the bark. He pressed it. What followed was a crunching sound as a clump of trees sank, and a large temple of pure white marble surfaced. It was a beautiful shrine with intricate designs etched upon its outer wall.
They all walked up to the large door and pushed it. It creaked open. There was lush green grass inside. In the middle of each garden stood a fountain spouting fresh water. A path lined with white cobblestones led to a statue. It was the statue of Lord Arcane.
The Scavenger knelt silently in respect. The children followed him and bowed.
Archer saw that water slowly trickled down from the hands of the statue and dripped into a vase.
The soul of Mascae also came up to his father’s statue and bowed his head in silence and then glanced at the vase.
“Go on,” the Scavenger said. “Have your fill.”
Mascae held the vase to his mouth and drank. Suddenly, he collapsed, making the vase fall. The Scavenger was quick to catch it. He eased Mascae down. Mascae was unconscious for a few fleeting seconds, and then he opened his eyes.
“Ah, now I remember it all,” Mascae said.
“Then I guess we have to go to the Tomb of Death once again for the rainbow,” Archer said.
The Scavenger shook his head. “No need. I discussed it with Mars already. I know where we can find the origin of a rainbow.”
“Where?” Archer asked.
The Scavenger was silent for a while. “Arcane used to tell me that a rainbow is a form of good energy. He also told me that there is always a rainbow in a pure person.”
“I’ve got it!” Matt said. “Lord Arcane was a pure person. So wouldn’t he be the best origin of a rainbow?”
The Scavenger nodded. “Yes. And my guess is…”
The Scavenger looked at the statue and then to the vase. He took the vase and touched it with the right hand of Lord Arcane’s statue. A bolt of colourful light shot out from the vase. It was a rainbow at the end of which a portal was visible.
The Scavenger grinned. “Here’s our ride. Come on, let’s go.” He jumped in and everyone followed.
Archer was floating in a fire, with no sense of direction. He saw the light up ahead and drifted towards it. Then, as had happened before, a massive fireball shot towards him. A figure appeared just when the fireball was about to hit Archer. The figure raised his hands and shot light to the fireball. The fireball broke into pieces.
Suddenly, Archer was conscious, aware of everything. He looked back and found the figure turning and running away.
“WAIT!” Archer called.
The figure turned, and Archer saw who it was. It was the soul of Mascae.
Mascae looked relieved and happy.
“My role is complete here, boy,” Mascae said, looking away. “Tell the Scavenger that I am sorry I misunderstood him. Thanks to you all, I have attained salvation.”
He turned back. “Father, I am coming!”
The soul of Mascae entered the light and disappeared.
Archer landed on solid ground. He looked up and found his friends and the Scavenger looming above him. He realized that he was the last one inside the portal with Mascae.
“Where’s Mascae?” the Scavenger asked.
Archer took a deep breath. “He left us… He said he had completed his work. He told me to tell you that he was sorry he misunderstood you. He also thanked all of us for giving him salvation.”
The Scavenger was silent. “Mascae was a good man and a good ruler… He may be gone, but we will honour him by restoring peace to the Dark World.”
Everyone observed silence for two minutes in Mascae’s honour.
The Scavenger spoke. “For centuries, his soul wandered. Now, his miseries have ended. He will be back with his father again.”
Everyone smiled at the thought of father and son enjoying their lives for all eternity.
Archer examined the dense bushes and the ancient, giant trees around the spot where they all were standing.
“I thought the Trail of Fire would take us to the second piece of the Crown,” Archer said, puzzled.
“Yes. And that’s exactly where you are,” the Scavenger smiled.
“So where is it?” Daniel asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe in the bushes… or the trees, or -”
No, it isn’t! A voice boomed all around.
“Who are you?” the Scavenger demanded, clasping the hilt of his sword, ready for an attack.
I am the protector of the second piece of the legendary Arcane Crown of Magic.
“What’s your name?” the Scavenger snapped.
Aren’t we rude? I am called the Joker, the Master of Cards, the Tickler, the Chess Master and the Fat Priest.
“I don’t care who you are. I just want the second piece.”
But it just can’t be so easy. You need to pass three tests. If you lose in any of the tests, oops! You will be fed to the animals here. They will be more than eager to eat fresh meat.
“We accept!”
There was a momentary silence before the voice spoke again.
The first test is a riddle! I just love riddles. They are exciting and -
“Will you just get on with it?” The Scavenger cut short his blabber.
Here you go…
It gives us warmth, it gives us light,
We light it in the darkest night,
Do not take it easy, for it has might -
James got the answer to the riddle even before it was over. “It’s fire!”
My, my, that was quick. Now for the second test. I will sing a song for you. Once you hear the song, you will have to find a thing that the riddle in the song will mention. And, beware, I am not going to repeat it. Just remember what you can. So, here it is…
Listen, O friends, listen careful-e
If you get confused, don’t blame me
You won’t get the chance again,
Don’t try to give me pain.
Look around, and notice the trees,
One of them has what you seek,
But you won’t get it, unless you say please
To me, Oh yes, to meeeeeeeeeee!
To pass the second test, you have to think,
Combine the puzzle pieces and connect the link.
You have to rack your brain,
This forest is full of dangers,
There’re some park rangers,
But hidden very deep,
Protecting a trunk to peep.
Get that,
And you will be blessed,
Go and hurry; I don’t have time,
Escape a monster, covered with slime
You will find the place on the cliff,
You have to be a master sheriff.
You have time till sundown, don’t fail.
Or you will be drowned, by deadly hail.
The voice went silent.
“What was that?” Matt asked, looking at James expectantly.
James nodded. “Don’t worry. I have captured the lyrics in my mind. We have to find a trunk of sheep, which are protected by guardians. And the place is in the Cliff, wherever that is. We have to get that trunk to the Joker before sunset, and if we don’t, we will drown by a hailstorm. Also, there’s a slimy monster involved…”
The earth rumbled, a growl erupted from the bushes, and a monster about ten feet tall tumbled out. It was covered with slime and its features were indistinguishable.
“RUN!” the Scavenger yelled. The monster was hot on their trail.
“Where to?” Archer shrieked, racing fast. He was thankful now for the training sessions the Scavenger had made them undergo.
“To the Cliff!” the Scavenger shouted as he whizzed past the trees and bushes, manoeuvring their path to fool the monster.
The Scavenger’s strategy was working.
The monster was slowly catching up with them. It was a rare species – a type of Cartoraz. The only way to defeat it was to dry its protective layer, the slime.
The Scavenger knew the Cliff was at least a two-hour run and the monster would surely catch them at this rate.
He directed the children away from the monster and waved a sword at it, provoking it to make it come after him. The Scavenger raced towards a tree, but just before he could hit it, he jumped and stretched his legs forward, and that gave him momentum to somersault backwards, landing behind the monster. The monster was coming with full speed. It couldn’t stop, and it crashed against the tree with great force. The tree toppled and fell on top of the monster.
The Scavenger instructed fast, “Daniel, I want you to bind the tree with roots, vines, branches, trees… anything... to keep the monster under.”
