I'd never been happier to see her and my friends. They had heard our call for help and came without a thought of what they were up against.
The Lillyfords retreated back into their house, as instructed by the Knights daughter.
During the new turn of events, I couldn't help to notice the vampire's calm demeanour and he smiled with excitement. I wished I had my sword that could cut shadow with ease, but it was gone, along with its purpose.
Thea charged with Bjorn and against my warnings. The great bear passed through the creature and a hazy mist covered the area; it was like a smoke grenade had been ignited. The enemy re-joined his apparition body and grabbed Bjorn by his scruff. My friends were thrown against the windmill wall and cracked the stone upon impact. Thea fell hard and rolled across the cobbled yard.
“Thea!!!” I yelled.
I heard nothing, but a whisper, as she laid unconscious. Her last word and thought were for me and Sedgwick to flee, but it was not an option. Bjorn was out of the battle, his leg seemed to be damaged and the great bear couldn't stand.
Sammy and my guard dog Hamish were close to the farm-house front door. Their tales were up, their fur fluffed out and teeth on show; the two canines growled and snarled with a deep, threatening, rumble.
“Is this it?” questioned the creature. “I’m disappointed. I thought this was going to be a challenge... a worthy mission, for my name to be imprinted in history. You were the one who stood his ground against evil itself... where is that fire!? Show me!”
He came at me again and I waved my torch like a panicked child fighting off a spider. It gave Sedgwick some time to collect his thoughts and his device fell out of his pocket; the thing he called, a smartphone...
He retrieved it and fiddled with the glass, until he was satisfied. The Gnome directed the phone at our foe, like a gun and it flashed with a strange click. His plan worked and caused the Bat to have a seizure. The creature scrambled around the farm and climbed up the windmill, in an attempt to find somewhere to hide.
“Ha, haaaa!!! Take that you fiend!!!” triumphantly shouted Sedge, and I waved my torch around, believing it would inflict more worry for the vampire.
I ran to Thea who was still out cold; Bjorn nudged her with his nose.
“Take her and go,” I said to the Bear. He gently picked her up and placed her on his back. Kara had appeared again, and I gestured for her family to follow Bjorn; obviously, they needed to be convinced first and they reluctantly followed, with Sammy and Hamish close behind.
“Be careful,” said Kara and she left with my friends.
Sedgwick’s smartphone stopped flashing and had a permanent artificial light.
“How long can this hold out for?”
“Hopefully, until the sun comes up.”
The vampire hid behind one of the blades of the windmill and didn't dare to move.
We had the upper hand...
An hour quickly went by and in that time, we only conducted one feasible plan. It involved, one of us staying and to keep the enemy at bay, whilst the other travelled to Eve's door. If successful, the vampire would have failed, and the balance would be corrected. The animals could go home and help the green spirit in his attempt of holding off the encroaching darkness; Iobar, the Timekeeper was the final puzzle. There was one flaw in our plan and it heavily relied on the device. Sedgwick said the battery didn’t have long, which wasn't good news for whoever stayed behind. I felt it was my duty to stay and give Sedgwick the privilege of opening the door; it was only fitting for the last Druid to redeem his species honour.
He argued, but I was adamant. I needed to see this thing burn in the sun; the countless lives who’ve suffered, all because I let Dante out, years ago.
Sedgwick had the Key and he gave me the smartphone. It shone brightly on the trapped beast. I gave my thanks to my friend, we were sure, it wasn't goodbye. The guardian of the ley-lines set off on one last mission and I was left to defend him.
The vampire's heavy breathing was very distinctive in the quiet night; dawn was approaching and within a few minutes it would’ve been over, but I still had questions. I wanted to know how he came to be, how he managed to cross through into my world. He was reluctant at first and kept silent, until my constant prodding unhinged his mouth.
“Fine!!!” he yelled. “But you will be disappointed...”
“Tell me?”
“I came the same way as the rest.”
“Ullpli would have not allowed that.”
“I cloaked myself from his detection. His guard was down for a brief moment and I took it.”
“How did you cloak yourself?”
The device light flickered.
“By draining the blood from another. It gave me power and the ability to change appearance, and it has kept me from being erased from time. Dante gave me permission to kill his captive. The former Timekeeper of Eve fell under my lips.”
The sun slowly came up from its slumber, ten minutes to go.
“Can your weapon last?” snarled the creature.
He was right, the phone began to fail with every passing moment and eventually, it died out. The windmill blades became night once again and the vampire lunged from off the top. He came down like a ton of bricks and his fangs flashed within the darkness. My time was surely up, but I found comfort in the thought of Sedgwick opening the ley-line to Eve.
But - he never made it to the tree...
Out of nowhere my friend jumped in at the last second and guarded me. The wings of the Bat enclosed us both and I felt blood, drop onto my hands. The vampire flew back, with a shiny object in its hand; the Druid’s Key.
I held Sedgwick and kept his head up on my arm. He couldn't talk, but his eyes told me everything and I reassured his actions: “You have nothing to forgive - it has been an honour, my friend. Rest well.”
In those final moments, he inhaled his last breath and Sedgwick was gone, just like that. My heart sank; the last of Druid’s was no more, and again, I’d lost someone important to me. I wanted vengeance, I wanted my enemies head; not just the vampire who gloated with his prize, but every evil creature who lingered within the void of Maylok.
Those minutes felt longer than I could ever imagine. Iobar fluttered down and landed on the Gnomes chest. He hopped up onto my hand and tweeted.
“You've lost, Lucius... Dante will be freed... and his power restored! And I will be praised!”
My thoughts drowned out the creature and my travels with Sedgwick unfolded before me. My mind stopped on the words of the Crow, those few words, which confused us both.
Look to your friend, he hasn't shown his true form, yet.
I observed Sedgwick, but my gaze fell upon the small Timekeeper. He was perched on my hand and glowed brightly. Iobar transformed into a beautiful white bow and it kept part of the bird’s features; he utilized them in a spectacular design of feathers.
The vampire was stunned.
I stood up with a purpose and pulled the string back. A strong light shaped like an arrow appeared. I held the fletching steady and aimed.
I'd let go with an emphatic roar and watched the arrow pierce my enemies’ black heart. The vampire screamed and was still; he wailed in horror.
Dawn had come at last and the sun rose in the sky. I watched the Maylok servant burn in the warmth and watched the flames finish the job; the creature was thankfully no more.
The puzzled Key dropped from the baked hand and tinkled on the floor. I picked it up and watched Iobar return to form. We went to our fallen friend.
Chapter Sixteen - My Return
I felt a change in the world, one that breathed easily and flexed it tentative muscles from the encroaching evil. The danger outside was no-more, but there was still chaos in Eve.
Sedgwick was placed comfortably within my home and laid on the finest bed made from Egyptian silk; nothing but the best for the Gnome.
Time was at the essence and our mission had not ended. Ullpli still waited and we had to move, Sedgwick would have un
derstood.
We gathered the animals and tasked the ones who still partially kept their abilities to herd the others and follow me to the tree. I rode on the back of Snufkin, with Thea and she held my waist tightly. My Grandfather stayed behind with the Lillyford's after I explained my extraordinary situation and adventure through time. Egbert promised to guard my friend, whilst we were away. Iobar was reluctant to travel, but he knew his duty and settled on the head of my shire-horse.
Along the way to Ashton Forest, Thea had many questions about my adventure through time. I answered with the detailed tale of the pasts we visited, but the future was something I wasn't allowed to talk about for obvious reasons. She came to know of Sedgwick's heroics, saving me from certain doom, on two occasions and his vital aid to the cause. I told her of his past and the Druid’s thirst for knowledge, which came at a high price and the timekeeper’s importance that led me onto the one subject I was nervous about. From the demise of my parents, and its sinister truth that has shaped my destiny into what it is now; to William Frankfurt and his journal, which has been a coincidental help and finally, to the realisation of our enemy’s existence. Dante was still alive, but weak and resided in the darkness of Maylok. I felt there was one more journey ahead, one more task before I could rest, but this tale was still far from over.
Thea held the Druid’s Key and examined it in her hands, as we passed by the stream where we first saw the Minions shadow. Our company was kept from straying into the woods and soon we were gathered around the wooden door.
I had dreamed for the end for so long and hoped I could’ve shared it with my fallen friend. I stepped forward and Thea handed the key back.
A few leaves fell from above and floated across my line of sight. I looked up to see the Crow, perched on a thick branch. I smiled and he nodded.
I placed the puzzled key in the lock and turned it. The door clicked and clanged with each turn, like a grandfather clock.
I twisted the square handle and it finally budged.
The outlines of the door lit up.
The carved shape of Ullpli changed and the character bowed; the ley-line was open.
Inside, were the stars, the sky of constellations that vanished within the blackness of space. It was quiet but beautiful.
One by one, we herded the animals into the tree and watched them disappear into thin air; they left a residue behind which faded within a few seconds. My old travelling companions were last. Flit happily hopped along, and I stroked his head before he leapt in; the Watson's were next; then Thistle the hare; Chef Doodle Pigmy, who snorted with a goodbye; the Mayor of Hethenheim, Elia the Ape; followed by Bjorn, the great sea bear captain and the Lord of Hethenheim. Iobar was last.
“I thank you, for keeping us safe from the prison and to correct the time-zone within Eve. Ullpli certainly needs your help, and it will be valued in high regard. I hope to see you again, soon.”
The little Timekeeper tweeted his farewell and changed into his clock form, whilst he entered the telluric current to Eve. Within that second, he was exchanged by a familiar face, who looked tired. The Green Man smiled at us both and embraced Thea.
“I thank you, Lucius. Again, you have come through for us. I didn't know how long, I could have held on for, but my animals will correct the balance between light and darkness, for now.”
“I didn't do it alone.”
“Sedgwick... his sacrifice will not be in vain.”
“I hope not. Too many people have been sacrificed for this cause.”
“You speak of your parents.”
“Did you know?”
Ullpli was strangely hesitant but answered: “Yes... but I couldn't say because your heart would have been at risk. You have always been on the edge of light and darkness. For which side you chose was up to you...”
“I know who I am and what I need to do.”
“That’s good to know,” replied the Green Man. “I’d felt a Timekeeper enter my realm moments ago.”
“Iobar, he was Sedgwick's idea. We thought he could help the cause. It appears the former timekeeper of Eve was killed by the vampire.”
“Iobar is very important. I believe he will have everything back to normal in no time. I can feel it already,” said Ullpli.
He closed his eyes and inhaled and exhaled.
Ullpli looked at my pocket and smiled again. “I see you found my journal... I do apologise for leaving you both behind with the Hectanzile, but I was young and eager to see this world you spoke of.”
I couldn't believe what I was hearing, I thought it was a joke at first until his features sparked a familiarity between the priest and him. The Crow had predicted our meeting, whether he knew of Ullpli's true identity remained to be seen because the bird had vanished from the trees.
“You've had quite a journey, William.”
“William!? You're the Priest!” shouted Thea, excitedly. “Why did you leave the journal in the bark? It was risky...”
“It helped me all those years ago and I thought it would be useful to Lucius. After all, if I didn't give you my journal, I wouldn't be here, before you now.”
“Time is a fickle old thing,” I said.
“Indeed, it is.”
“Will you tell me of your travels?”
“Perhaps another time. There are more important things to discuss.”
“Dante?” I reluctantly said.
“I’ve seen something lurking in the blackness. A vision within his forgotten world. Dante is still alive.”
“I know... The Crow has explained, why the Entity still remains in Maylok and I feel, my journey has not ended here.”
“He is not in Maylok. I sense a Shadow in the realm of the Celestials. There he gathers his power, to conduct an attempt of resurrection.” William stepped forward and placed his hand on my shoulder: “I ask you; will you fight once more? Will you both, come with me to the Celestial World and finally finish this war?”
I decided my fate back on the farm and I knew my answer, despite my knowledge of being used by two Ethereal being’s. I was the piggy in the middle and the man, who really didn't have a choice in the end.
Thea agreed and wanted to be there too; she had as much right as me.
“Yes,” I replied.
“Then we go to Eve. The Celestial door is in the Divided High Grounds, where she awaits our arrival.”
“Who is waiting?”
“The Light - Lira.”
The time had finally come to meet the one, who originally intended to use me as a vessel. I had mixed feelings about the situation, but my thoughts were elsewhere. The Green Man decided to take the last Druid back to Eve, were his kindred rested in the Sanctuaries.
Ullpli vanished into the stars, along with Thea and I followed, but before leaving, I placed Williams journal back into the bark of the tree...
To be continued
Celestial’s World Coming Soon
About the author:
Robert Ian Wilson was born in the summer of 1988 at Leeds St James's Hospital, West Yorkshire, England. He currently resides in the Wolds of Lincolnshire, studying at the Open University and working towards a degree in Creative Writing. Growing up in an artistic family and being an avid film enthusiast, greatly influenced the development of his craft. His works include the dark fantasy series, The World Trilogy. The titles Egbert's World and Lucius's World were well received within the science fiction and fantasy community.
www.robertianwilson.wix.com/author
Lucius's World Page 11