by Lee Magnus
“Hey Trey! Let’s get ice cream after this!” Seth joyfully hollered as he wandered aimlessly around the room.
“Ice cream would be wonderful! Great idea!” exclaimed Trey clapping his hands like a toddler at a birthday magic show.
“Seth! Get over here! Now!” Clievan yelled again before storming toward the winged feline.
Trey sat on the floor. A ball and set of jacks appeared in front of him. “Ah, Jacks! I didn’t know this game still existed.” He bounced the ball gathering a few jacks. He did it again but deflected the ball across the floor.
He casually glanced up at a pale dark-haired woman staring with colorless eyes. She wore a long plain green dress with full sleeves that cinched at the wrists with neat white ruffles protruding over her hands. He ignored her presence, grabbed the ball, then went back to his game. A puddle of salty liquid formed from the drops of his flushed face.
After several rounds of jacks, Trey stood watching a large white cat with golden tipped dragon wings fly around the room and a weird looking short man with amphibian hands hanging from the ceiling. The jacks disappeared from the floor.
“That’s strange. Do cats usually have wings?”
He walked excitedly over to Seth and asked, “Do you want to play a game with me?”
“Yes!” Seth replied enthusiastically then landed next to Trey.
“The object of the game is to get the little man off the ceiling. Lift me up and I’ll tickle him until he falls.”
“Yes! Yes! That will be fun!” replied Seth.
He lifted Trey toward Clievan.
“Are you ticklish?” Trey asked Clievan.
“No! But you are!” Clievan replied laughing hysterically as he reached down accosting Trey’s ribs with fat sticky fingers.
Trey squiggled and squirmed until Seth dropped him to his feet.
“You got me you sneaky gecko-man!” Trey said while everyone laughed.
Trey skipped several steps then spun in the room paying no attention to the staring woman. He continued to spin. Laughing, spinning, laughing until he fell into a heap unable to catch his breath.
The laughter subsided. “What’s this in my pocket?” he said curiously. Awareness crept into his consciousness while his elated smile faded.
He clutched the disk and the image of the trim bearded man appeared, instantly bringing brief clarity to the situation.
“This is the distraction spell. I have to shut it out.”
He burst into laughter and ran around the room, dodging Seth and Clievan as if he were running for a touchdown – spinning and stiff-arming imaginary opponents.
He fell to his knees, then looked up at the woman who continued to stare intensely.
I must shut her out! He willed his mind to obey.
He remembered Simon and the Keeper. He launched in the air onto his feet. And then jumped again – and then again.
“Hahahaha! Whoo hoo!” he said as he jumped up and down as if on a trampoline looking like a psychotic monkey with his arms flailing around his head.
“No! This is not real!” he shouted steadying himself.
He began to fade away again. His mind drifted. His had grasped an object in a different pocket. He removed a bag. He twirled it on his finger for a few seconds before opening it. He turned it over, releasing the object from its dark encasement. A crimson cloud in the shape of a cyclone fell onto his hand.
He disappeared.
The Etherios
“You do not belong here,” said a voice in the darkness.
“I can’t see. Where am I?” Trey said with full clarity.
“Somewhere between all worlds.”
He sensed he had no body as if he were floating in a dream. But this was no dream and he felt no fear.
“I’m sorry to be ignorant, but can you please tell me where my world is?”
“Maybe Ragnistant was correct. You are intelligent but not so bright.”
“I certainly do feel that way. Who’s Ragnistant again?”
“Yes. Ragnistant. I thank you for sending his spirit back to me. It was an unfortunate mess when he escaped.”
“You mean the Keeper?”
“Certainly.”
“I’m in the Etherios?”
“Certainly. But didn’t you already know?”
“Yeah. I think I did.”
“Why can’t I see?”
“Human eyes can’t perceive this dimension. Only when you join us in spirit form can you realize this realm.”
“But I can feel it.”
“Can you?” the voice replied unimpressed.
“Yes.”
Trey gradually felt things in greater detail. He felt he was in a vast chamber, bordered by a protective field made of light which aroused all senses other than vision. He suspected what existed outside the field was danger and death. He sensed the size and shape of the entity – human size with similar features but somehow formless as if it were loosely held together in a familiar energetic silhouette. He wondered how much he should share with the entity.
“Who are you?” Trey asked.
“That is none of your concern.”
“How did I get here?”
“You used Ragnistant’s key.”
“I don’t remember. I was in a room, then I was here.”
“You were in a protector’s realm. The key shouldn’t have worked. No magic is allowed other than that which was created in the sealed realm – and the key was created here.”
“Yet, here I am.”
“Certainly, you are.”
He felt a closeness – like the bond a mother has with her unborn child. Not with this entity – someone else, someone he knew was here – somewhere.
“My grandfather is here, isn’t he?”
“Certainly.”
“Can I see him?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“He doesn’t want to see you?”
“He knows I’m here?”
“Certainly. Everything here knows you are here. We are all connected. You have caused quite a commotion.”
“I feel it – the connectedness.”
“Certainly. The longer you stay the more connected you become, until you become part of us.”
“Then I can’t leave? I can’t be separated?”
“Certainly.”
Trey felt the connection growing and knew the entity was right. He could not stay here too much longer.
“Grandpa can’t be separated now, can he? He’s been here too long?”
“Certainly.”
“Why won’t he see me?”
“Your grandpa, as you call him, is here for a reason. He cannot be disturbed.”
“Disturbed? What could he possibly be doing here that I could disturb?”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
Trey felt a greater sense of his grandfather. He almost knew where he was as if he could reach out and touch him.
“If I can’t see him, then tell me how to get back.”
“I cannot.”
Trey perceived the area beyond the light barrier containing galaxy like swirling forms confining various entities within each. He took a chance to gather more information. “Outside of this room, all worlds exist?”
“Certainly.”
“So, it isn’t a place of spirits and demons. It’s the place of everything.”
“Naturally.”
“This key enabled, Ragnistant to travel throughout the Etherios and eventually to Airhame? How did he get it?”
“You already know the answer.”
“Khaitu helped him acquire it.”
“Certainly. Containing everything, the Etherios also restrains evil spirits and demons eager to set chaos loose throughout the multiverse. Through Khaitu, they can succeed.”
Trey was now certain he could locate his grandfather. His connection to the Etherios continued to broaden his consciousness throughout its expanse.
“I must go, before I’m unable to le
ave.”
“That is an uncertainty. We cannot allow you to leave with the key and without the key you cannot leave.”
At that moment is when Trey realized the entity was intentionally entertaining his questions to trap him in the Etherios.
“I’ve been faced with this predicament before. A friend helped me escape then just as one will help me now.”
He sensed the key in his non-existent palm. He sensed his grandpa one last time then said, ”I am not staying – and I can see you.”
Colors collided in his perception. He felt himself move and not move at the same time as if the Etherios swirled about like a globe at his fingers. Feelings of confidence were replaced with calmness as his consciousness spun. Feelings of sadness were replaced with love.
“Here!” Trey thought.
He propelled himself through brightly lit clouds of gas and stars as he plunged into his grandfather’s ethereal domain. Everything stopped. Inescapable darkness remained. A dim distant light slowly grew brighter. It became larger as it approached. It morphed into various shapes: first a floating orb then a majestic flashing falcon followed by something bear-like running on all fours then it slowed and raised onto its hind legs before settling in front of him in the form of a fit lively elderly man in a white panama hat.
“Grandpa!”
“Trey. How good it is do see you.” He said in a Cajun accent – maintaining a small space between the two.
“Why are you here? The Keeper! The stone! How could you do that? What – “ he said anxiously before Grandpa calmly interrupted.
“Trey. Calm.” Grandpa said as he waved a palm-faced hand in a lowered arc.
Trey quieted as he felt at ease. His questions faded as they became less important.
“You ave many question that can no be answered now. I will dell you what you need do know before we run out of time. Logos will not be far behind. I am ere of my own choosing. I am now part of dis place, you cannot release me.”
“I didn’t say that’s why I – “
“Hush, boy. You mus listen. My friend, Don, unintentionally ported himself here. The only one I knew dat could help was Ragnistant. I made a deal wit him to free Don. For dat I was to acquire the stone and remain here in his place. Ragnistant kept his word but didn’t return Don to his world.”
“Why didn’t he do what he promised?”
“Ragnistant is a demon. No demon can be trusted. He thought it was entertaining to send him elsewhere.”
“Where’s Don now? He’s the dad of someone I know.”
“He is in a place called the Highlands. Is not so bad dere I hear, however, plenty of peril still exists. He can help you if you can find him. But I’m afraid you don’ have enough time. Commerand is riding swiftly toward the Oasis.”
“What is the shape? The shape of the key to the Highlands?”
He regarded Trey proudly.
“You are a brave boy. It’s an M.” He made the shape with his forefingers and thumbs. “It has outstretched ends and de center bend is about ‘alfway to da bottom.”
“I’ll bring him home.”
“I know you will try.” He looked away briefly then back as if the next words were laborious to say. “You mus’ know, Khaitu will be freed.”
“No! I can’t let that happen!”
“Dere may be nothing you can do. It has been prophesized.”
“You say that as if it has already happened.”
“Time is not as you perceive it. Even in dis place, time doesn’t exist.”
“I don’t understand. Does that mean I can’t change what happens in the future?”
“You will understand soon enough. The future is malleable which means you may ave some impact on minor instances.”
“What if I impact many minor instances that together have a great impact?”
“You are a smart boy. Now shut up. You mu’s know, one among your group you can trust above all others. Ano’da will deceive you. I do not know which. Hopefully, you will determine who is who before it happens. Trust your intuition, it will not fail you. You are de chosen one. I love you. I hope we don’ meet again. Do not come back to dis place. You mus’ go now! Turn the key in your palm! Logos is coming! Go, Trey! Before is too late!”
Trey moved in for a hug, but Grandpa raised a hand that stopped him.
“We must not interlace our energetic essence.”
“Oh. Okay.” Trey said, dismayed. “What do you mean? I don’t understand this whole prophesy thing. What is it that I will do?”
“But you already know,” Grandpa replied in a calm less Cajun-sounding manner – unlike his urgency before the attempted embrace.
Trey barely sensed the love that guided him here.
“I’ll stop Khaitu?”
“Certainly.”
“But you just said he would be freed. How can I stop him if I’ve already failed?”
“You already know the answer to that question. We must be moving on now. Come this way.” Grandpa turned slightly issuing a hand in the direction for Trey to travel.
“But Grandpa. There’s so much I don’t know.” Trey looked around, slightly confused. “Something has changed. Is this the way I get home? You said to use the key?”
“Yes. Home is this way.”
Trey felt no Love as he did when he arrived. He now felt anxious and fearful. Grandpa returned to him but now Trey could see the imperceptible form from before.
“Logos! Where’s Grandpa?”
“My, my. Aren’t you a quick learner. As I said before, we are all connected.”
Logos raised his arms then swiftly swung them as if chasing a curve ball – propelling Trey through the Etherios. Lights and galaxies blurred his peripherals. A rapidly approaching cluster of gas and multi-colored light loomed ahead – or more precisely, Trey rapidly approached his intended prison. He felt Logos pushing him.
Gaining his wits in the fast-moving scenario he said, “Not today, Pal!”
He turned the key in his palm then crashed onto a hard surface like Travis Pastrana missing a landing. He rolled into a lump against a firm colorless wall.
The Eye of Kartho
Trey laid motionless for several seconds before he realized where he was. His mind had already mostly left him. Just before he lost it completely, he stood, sweating profusely. He closed his eyes, then cleared his mind of all obstructions and invasive illusions. He cleared his mind of Grandpa and Logos. He cleared his mind of his future and impending doom. He opened his eyes, walked forward, then stared directly back at the woman. Her eyes faded to a bright green, then a door appeared behind her.
He looked back at the other two realizing they were still caught in the spell.
“I have to do this on my own, and quick before they heat to death.”
After taking several steps through the doorway he turned to find the woman staring at him with colorless eyes. “I guess I’ll have to continue blocking her,” he said somberly.
A grey-haired man with a long beard sat behind a desk in the diminutive room. On the desk sat twenty-four blank tiles.
“Do you accept the challenge?” asked the man in a cold, ghostly voice that spiked the hairs on the back of Trey’s neck.
Trey paused a moment to look around then asked, “What is the challenge?”
“Do you accept the challenge?” the man said in the exact same tone as before.
“What are the rules? What am I trying to do?” he asked more urgently.
“Do you accept the challenge?”
Trey hung his head, wishing he would wake up and end this ludicrous dream.
“This must be the puzzle. I suppose I am to solve it before moving on. This should be easy. I’m good at mental challenges.”
“Can I at least have some ice cream before beginning?”
“Do you accept the challenge?”
“Yes,” he answered hesitantly. “I accept the challenge.”
“You have five minutes to complete the challenge.”
The man sat back in the chair, then closed his eyes.
“What happens after five minutes?”
No response.
“Hey old man! What happens after five minutes?”
The man didn’t move.
“Thank you for being so helpful,” Trey said sarcastically.
The tiles came to life, moving around in geometric patterns before resting in a square with one piece missing in the fifteenth position.
Trey checked his watch.
“I see. It’s a 5 x 5 sliding puzzle. But the tile images keep changing. How can I possibly solve this puzzle?”
He took a few seconds to watch the tiles, hoping to find a pattern.
“That tile changed from a green eye with long lashes to a brown eye with a narrow pupil. That one changed from a soft looking paw to a cloven hoof. That one changed from a wing to a spiked shoulder. I think I understand. The tiles represent the same piece in the puzzle, but the image constantly changes to make it tougher. This shouldn’t be too hard now that I figured that part out.”
Trey began shifting pieces – working from the top left corner to the bottom right.
He checked his watch. “A little over three minutes left. Plenty of time.”
He sang, rather enjoying the task, “This goes heeere. Move that one theeeree. Slide this one baaack and that one forwarrrrd.”
Smiling, he matched tiles of blue wings to tiles of bulky arms to tiles of snake bodies.
I have two minutes left.
He moved a tile into place then suddenly froze. The joy of the activity sank from his face. The portion of the completed puzzle began to change one image at a time rather than random images as before. An image of a four-legged winged creature with a massive beak changed to a red and white zombie dog with rows of jagged bloody teeth changed to a hulking one horned ogre holding a large club changed to a six-eyed serpent with dripping fangs.
The images continued to cycle.
“The Protector. I must choose the form of the Protector. You have got to be joking!”
He checked his watch. I only have one minute left.
Trey hurriedly continued to solve the puzzle.
Twenty seconds.
“All that is left is to slide this last piece and the puzzle will be complete. Clievan said Nick mentioned the dog. It’s the scariest looking one of them all. I think I’d rather take on the ogre. He looks slow and stupid. Why the dog? It does not look like the best option. I already beat a big snake. I don’t think I want to do that again, but maybe.”