Born In Flames

by Candace Knoebel

  She took another breath and then glanced down at her leg. “We’ve got to fix this fast,” she said, the blood continually oozing from the injury. “I need you to combine your energy with mine for a moment. I’m too weak to heal this on my own.”

  “Okay…” I replied, not sure exactly how to do that.

  “Just focus on healing my leg and say ‘Mendaro.’ I’ll do the rest,” she explained.

  I nodded and focused on the open wound, letting the energy flow through me once again. I imagined it sealing from the inside out, healing and returning to normal as I chanted “Mendaro” over and over. I felt her energy flow into mine as the leg began to heal in front of us.

  “It’s working,” I declared excitedly.

  Then she stood up, testing its sturdiness. “All healed,” she said with a smile.

  She walked over to Zane. He lay there limp and lifeless though we both knew he was still very much alive.

  “Stand back. I don’t want you to get pulled in,” she said as she began to weave another portal. I was still smiling distractedly inside, feeling like I had finally done something to control at least a small aspect of my life. No one but myself made me get up and do what I did.

  When the portal opened, I helped Lexi pick Zane up and throw him into it. “I’ll be right back,” she said, jumping in after him. I paced the forest, avoiding the puddles of blood that had formed from either Lexi’s leg or the blunt trauma to Zane’s head.

  What the hell was happening? I couldn’t do anything but think of how proud Fenn would have been in that moment. To see me finally take a stand for myself.

  I practically caught Lexi as she fell back through the port.

  “Thanks,” she said. “He won’t be back for a while. We might have enough time to find all the keys before he makes it back. The problem is, now he knows what you look like. And that you’re the one,” she finished, pointing to my necklace. She didn’t look too pleased. “Next time we may not be so lucky, and he may not come alone.” A smile slowly formed on her face. “We make a good team,” she said. I couldn’t help but smile as well, letting myself bask in my moment of glory.

  “Now let’s get moving. We have a date to catch.”

  Chapter 23

  Our Cozy Little Meeting

  WE FOUND SOOTHE ALMOST AN hour after the time we were supposed to meet him. He was farther into the forest, resting on a rock near a waterfall.

  “Hey!” Lexi shouted over the sound of the crashing water. “Come over this way so we can hear each other a little better.”

  Soothe leisurely rolled his eyes as he hopped off the rock and strode casually towards us. “I can hear just fine,” he replied when he was in front of us. “You’re late.”

  “Well, I’m not shouting,” she retorted. “And of course we’re late. Zane spotted her.”

  For a brief second his eyes lit up, like he was concerned and ready to take action, but then his face resumed that cold, blank expression.

  “Indeed,” he replied. “That’s truly unfortunate. And before she had a chance to find all the keys. My-my savior, you truly are proving your worth, aren’t you?” he sneered.

  I frowned. “Are you going to help me find the rest of the keys or not?” I bit back, hoping that having Lexi with me would help.

  “Do you still have the map?” he asked in return.

  “Yeah, it’s right here.” I reached into my bag and pulled it out.

  Lexi gasped. “You didn’t tell me you had that,” she chided as she took it from my hands. She unfolded the worn hide, her face lighting up in awe.

  I shrugged. “I figured you knew. I mean, weren’t you told everything before you came?”

  “Well, yes, but no one said anything about this. I mean technically you shouldn’t even have this. If we were back in our realm, you’d have to face The Fates and explain why this is in your possession. Do you know what this is?” she asked, her voice heightened.

  “Judging by your face I’d say it’s something pretty important,” I guessed, glancing over at Soothe.

  “It’s a portal map,” he answered dryly. “They’re very rare and impossible to find. There are a total of four, one for each of The Fates. It shows the way to any object you seek to find. In your case, the keys. This is the most coveted map you could ever find. When I left, there was only one missing. This one.”

  Lexi cleared her throat. “Scouts were sent out with another map to try and find this one shortly after it was taken,” she said quietly.

  “Well they won’t ever find it, now will they? The maps only work in the realm you’re in,” Soothe reassured smugly.

  A bleak expression replaced Lexi’s confidence. “Before I left, the scouts went missing.”

  Soothe’s face paled. “Let’s pray it hasn’t fallen into Zordon’s hands,” Soothe concluded.

  “I can’t even begin to piece together how any could be stolen right from under The Fates’ noses,” Lexi wondered.

  “What if the other map is with Zordon?” I asked, a part of me not wanting to hear the answer.

  “If that happens,” he said gravely, “then finding the keys and returning home will be the least of your worries.” His face fell. “And every sought after object in our realm is now in danger.”

  There was a long moment of silence as we all digested the reality of what Soothe had said. I haven’t even made it back and already my future was looking hopeless. I thought about Fenn and how he was over there, possibly dealing with the danger that seemed to be my destiny. I needed to get the keys, fast.

  “Look here,” said Lexi, pointing to an X that hadn’t been there before. It looked like it was around Mily’s house.

  “That must be where I found the first key,” I said, suddenly excited. “Only it’s missing too,” I added.

  “It’s not missing, Aurora. It is where it should be. That is a part of The Fates’ magic…to protect what is theirs. Trust me,” said Soothe.

  “Well, why don’t I see where the other keys are?” I asked. “There isn’t an X anywhere else.”

  “Have you used the second sun’s light?” asked Soothe.

  “Second sun?”

  “Yes, that’s where the Hall of Knowledge is. I’ll show you,” Lexi reassured. “So we don’t need your help after all,” she said to Soothe. “This map will get us the rest of the way.”

  “I do have a question though,” I interrupted. “It’s about what you said that night at the diner, about the last line of the prophecy,” I said, fidgeting uncomfortably.

  “Yes?”

  “A death will come to He that breaks the barrier…what does that mean? It’s the last piece that I can’t figure out,” I admitted.

  “What do you think it means?” he asked in return.

  “Well, at first I thought it had to do with the portal I came through and that maybe Fenn or I would die if we tried to go back, but now I’m not so sure. I mean, if I’m supposed to protect the dying race, then why would I die so early on? And, it says he, which I am a she. So basically, I have no idea,” I finished.

  “But you see, Aurora, I cannot tell you what it means. That is not a part of my job,” he said artlessly.

  “What about the missing piece? You weren’t supposed to withhold a piece of the prophecy so it appears that rules mean nothing to you,” I retaliated.

  I saw a quiver of a smile at the corner of his mouth.

  “You’re wiser than I assumed,” he said quietly. “Rules do apply to me,” he said slowly, “as does your purpose. As you already know, I gave up my ability to protect you. In return, I simply ask that you trust me when I say I cannot tell you. Now is not the appropriate time for that,” he finished solemnly.

  I paused a moment, then sighed. “Fair enough.”

  “Well then, now that that’s settled,” said Lexi, stepping in between us and facing Soothe. “Are you coming or staying because we have keys to find and one night to find them.”

  He turned back to the cave and stared at it for
a moment before facing us. “Staying,” he said. “I have a feeling we will run into each other again,” he finished with a wink in my direction.

  “Then if you’ll excuse us, we will be going now,” she said, tugging my arm in the direction away from him.

  “What now?” I asked.

  “Now we find the next key.”

  Chapter 24

  Aloha Hotel

  “WHERE EXACTLY ARE WE GOING?” I asked, trying to keep up with her pace as we trudged through the forest.

  “To find the next key,” Lexi replied as she opened the map. “But we can’t do that until we make it out of this forest. We have to be directly under the sun.”

  “In all my life, I have never noticed a second sun,” I said under my breath as I shambled along behind her. The far off sound off the waterfall was calling my name due to the afternoon heat that was steadily rising.

  “You usually can’t see it,” she verified. “You just know it’s there. I mean, it’s the Hall of Knowledge,” she said as if it was common knowledge, “the place where all Mages hope to cross over after death. And technically, it’s not a ‘second sun’. It just appears that way if you are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of it. I’ve read that it was created from the purest light.” “Sounds complicated,” I grunted. I quit focusing on swatting at the shrubbery and looked up. The edge of the forest was just in sight. “Finally,” I mumbled, wiping the sweat from my brow. We exited the forest and came out into a lush valley. The grass was slippery from an afternoon shower.

  “Show us the keys” said Lexi, holding the map up to the sun. The rays banned around her and the map, shining through the ink on the hide. Suddenly all of the scribble made sense. Somehow, the light made the lines of the ink impress upon the grass, becoming a sort of holographic image. And where the X was, a small sliver of light shone through. It was much like the beam of light that came from the key when I found it.

  So the map was real.

  “See,” she pointed, “it’s showing the other keys.” Her finger was in between the ruins and the cave. They were surrounded by a pulsing glow.

  “The altar and the cave,” I stated. I mindlessly twirled the loose-fitting ring on my finger and thought back to what Bob had suggested. “Was Fenn’s ring created from that altar?”

  She nodded.

  “Why?”

  “That’s easy enough. He’s your protector. Why do you think the Natives worshipped the fifth brother? Because he sacrificed himself for something more, he protected the Draconta. Astral felt it was worthy of holding and restoring Fenn’s memories.”

  I slowly nodded as it all took shape in my mind. Fenn, the fifth brother, both looking out for someone (or something) other than themselves.

  My lips puckered in sadness. “Why couldn’t Astral have instructed Fenn to hold-off on putting the ring on in the letter he gave us?”

  “Astral has a reason for everything he does,” she consoled, “maybe I was wrong about him wanting you to stay here. Maybe he intended for it to happen this way so you would have no choice but to return.”

  “It sure is a cruel way to make me choose,” I said, my voice almost inaudible.

  She patted me on the back sympathetically.

  “So what are we waiting for?” I asked, suppressing a sigh.

  “Not a thing.” She smiled softly and started in the direction of the ruins. “They should be just over this hill.”

  She was wrong.

  It wasn’t “just” over the hill. We walked for what seemed like forever. When we finally reached the other side of the hill, the excitement to get to the ruins had all but left me.

  To add to it, Lexi’s shoulders slouched over in disappointment. “Great,” she muttered darkly.

  “What?” I asked as I came up behind her. “Oh.” The ruins were full of tourists.

  “There’s no way we can get in and out without anyone noticing,” she brooded.

  “Can’t you just perform a spell? Soothe did something like that before,” I offered.

  “Magic doesn’t always take well in this realm Aurora. And look at the numbers. The ruins is crammed full of people. I would deplete my energy if I attempted that.”

  I huffed, shaking my head sadly.

  After a long moment of not knowing what to say, I asked, “What now?” It was inadequate for the situation, but the best thing I could think to say.

  She frowned. “I need to think. Come on, we’ll grab our things and find somewhere other than your motel room to sleep since it’s known.” She folded the map and handed it back to me.

  This time I was the one patting her on the back.

  Back in the room, I started packing a spare change of clothes and my Oraculus. The sun was already starting to set as Lexi slumped over, staring blankly out my motel window. Defeat seemed to have poisoned her. I had to do something.

  I quickly jumped on my computer and searched for a place to stay, just to get us moving. There was a hotel right off the ruins that would be perfect. I selected it and waited for my authorization code, when an ad popped up.

  My face immediately lit up.

  “You know,” I said craftily, “Bob had mentioned checking out the tour that is offered for the ruins.” I peeked sideways at her with a hopeful expression.

  She looked at me, her expression still blank.

  “And I was thinking, maybe it would be a good idea.” I gave her a meaningful look, hoping it would sink in.

  She stared at me for a moment, puzzled. And then slowly, as the thoughts turned in her head, awareness seemed to overtake her bummed mood. “We would always be near people,” she began to formulate, “so we would have the protection of safety in numbers.” Then she frowned. “But what about the people?” she reminded.

  “We could separate from the group and get the key when they head for the cave. We just have to get it before the next tour group gets there,” I explained. She was beaming now.

  “We can meet back up with them near the cave since it showed up on the map for the third key and is where we need to be when the full moon hits. Your powers and memories will be restored and we’ll be able to make it home,” she concluded happily.

  Back to Fenn.

  With our plan underway, we drove the stolen car back to the beach and then boarded the bus that would take us to the hotel. We talked about our plan in depth, ensuring that there would be no hiccups. I felt confident that we would make it.

  But I still had a lingering question that I had been meaning to ask. “What exactly is Zordon after?”

  “Oh,” she said, seeming surprised by my subject change. “Well, rumor has it that Zordon is planning an attack against the Draconta, hoping to gain control of the Stone of Immortality. I fear it will have a devastating effect on our people and dragons,” she said sadly as she paused and stared out the window. Softly she finished, “and Zordon’s rumored army gathering will leave us all with no choice but to run.”

  “The chosen one fated to protect the dying race,” I repeated out loud as it dawned on me.

  “Huh?” Lexi face scrunched in question.

  “A part of the prophecy says that. That has to be what it means. That has to be my purpose, to protect the Draconta. Maybe I can prevent all that from happening,” I reassured.

  “It’s not that simple, Rory. The army he is supposedly going to gather is one that many fear.” She leaned into me and whispered, “The Dark Saar.”

  “Who are they?”

  “They’re Mages who never crossed over to the Hall of Knowledge because they never found their balance of light to escape the darkness that follows us. The worst part is, they can only be killed by humans so the Draconta don’t stand a chance against them. That’s if Zordon’s lucky enough to recruit them.” Despair weighed on her face.

  “There has to be a way to keep that from happening, and I swear to you, I’ll find it,” I said, squeezing her arm. The bus slowed as it turned into the hotel parking lot.

  “I know that, Rory. You
are the progeny. It is your destiny to save us from him,” she said encouragingly as she stood up, motioning for me to follow. I grabbed my bookbag off the seat and threw it over my shoulders. When I stepped off, the air smelled of native Jasmine, dazzling my senses.

  “This is it,” I muttered, sliding on my backpack and following the greeter who placed Leis around our necks. To add to the atmosphere, the path we walked along had little rocks with speakers built in that serenaded us with tropical themed music.

  “I wish that my home was as luxurious as this,” Lexi remarked, amazement filling her eyes. Her look reminded me of Fenn’s eyes filling with joy the day we stepped foot in our new space. I hoped to see that look again, sooner than later.

  After quickly checking in, I pointed Lexi towards the elevator. Like a kid in a candy shop, she bolted towards it. This ought to be interesting, I thought, wickedly amused.

  “Push that square thing called a button,” I said, pressing my lips together to keep from laughing. She pushed it, excitement bursting out of her pores as it lit up.

  “Ding, third floor please,” I said cheerfully as we boarded the elevator.

  “This feels kind of like porting. It’s so quiet in here. What’s this called again?” she asked as we ascended.

  “An elevator.” I scoffed, still laughing at her wonder.

  The elevator chimed as the doors opened, revealing an oasis with banana leaf inspired carpets and sheer white fabric draped across the ceilings and lights. Tropical music played softly, reinforcing the mood.

  We found our room and I handed Lexi the key. She looked at me, clearly baffled. “You slide it in there,” I said, pointing to the slot. She shrugged and then did as I said. The green light blinked and she pushed the door open to our paradise.

  She gasped, her hands clasping over her mouth. “This sure beats cobblestone and jewels,” she said taking it all in.

  “It better, I booked us a suite,” I muttered.

  “Suite?” she questioned.

  I shook my head, deciding not to go there. Instead I asked, “So is that true? I mean, about dragons liking shiny things? It isn’t just lore?”