“Here we are,” he said handing a lantern to Zyphera, Leath, and Mathias, “These will help brighten this god forsaken darkness.”
“What were those things?” Thad wondered in amazement as he gazed at the bright stones nestled in the bottom of Mathias’ lantern.
“They’re Prism Stones,” Traiden replied replacing the pouch.
“Prism stones, what are those?” Thad asked, eager to know more.
“You mean Gabriel never told you about Prism Stones?” Traiden asked, shocked that Gabriel did not revel this important info to Thad. He thought for sure they would have been anxious to see if Thad could harness their power.
“Nope,” Thaddeus replied shaking his head.
“Well allow me to enlighten you,” Traiden smiled. He always enjoyed having a new student. “Legend tells, over hundreds and thousands of years ago, a great rain threatened to wash all life from your planet. It rained for almost sixty days. The land and the waters merged. Cities drowned and almost all life on earth, save the water breathers, was extinguished. After the rain subsided, a bright sun shone through the clouds forcing them to dissipate. A great rainbow filled the sky. Suddenly a rogue bolt of lighting struck the rainbow causing it to shatter. It fell towards the earth in a million pieces. The survivors gathered the rainbow and found they contained a certain magic. Since a Rainbow is one of God’s most beautiful creations, it is believed that the shattered pieces were a gift from God to aid them in rebuilding and protect their world. It did not take long for the other worlds to find out about the stones and begin harvesting them for their own worlds,” He explained.
“So how many stones are there?” Thad asked. He imagined that after such a long time, they would be a rare find.
“Let’s just say that they are not in danger of depletion anytime soon. Besides that, most stone have a long life span and can be used multiple times before their energy burns out,” Traiden explained.
“So how do the stones produce fire?” Thad questioned, mesmerized by this new information.
“There is a stone for every color of the rainbow, and every color has a specific meaning and attribute,” Traiden explained as he reached into his bag and pulled out eight stones, one for every color of the rainbow.
“But there is no white in the rainbow,” Thad stated taking notice of the eighth stone.
Traiden grinned, “You are very observant. In a moment I will explain.” he continued “Now, Red, Blue and Yellow, are primary colors known as “The Trinity”. They are the building blocks for every other color,” He paused for a moment to look at Thad.
“Don’t stop” Thad replied eagerly, waiting to gobble up more information.
“Red is a physical stone. With this stone we can feel different things, and provide sustenance such as energy or strength. Red is also a thermal or Heat stone so it provides warmth. Now blue, is a spiritual stone. It helps us to open our mind to the unknown possibilities around us. Blue is also the water and air stone. Yellow is our Mind stone. Yellow gives us wisdom, control and provides order. Yellow stimulates all other characteristics and provides great energy. You understand so far?” He asked looking at Thad from the corner of his eye.
“Sort of,” Thad replied, his face scrunched in partial confusion. “What do the secondary colors do?”
Traiden loved Thad’s enthusiasm. “When the Trinity colors are combined they create Orange, Green, indigo and Purple. Orange is a combination of Red and Yellow. When it was created it took on the Thermal attributes of Red, so the fire, and the energy and control of Yellow. So it gives the user the ability to control fire.”
“That is way to cool!” Thad exclaimed.
Traiden grinned. “Green is a very important stone. It is the nature stone. Green retains the water attribute of Blue and all of Yellows. It can bring forth nature from even the most barren of lands.”
“So it could help in countries that are struggling with famine?” Thad interrupted.
Traiden nodded his head and continued. “That leaves us Indigo and Purple. Indigo has only one purpose, and that is to increase the energy of blue ten fold. When Purple and Green are used in the presence of indigo their energy increases.”
“What does purple do again?” Thad asked.
“I haven’t told you yet,” Traiden smiled, “Now quit interrupting.”
“Oops sorry,” Thad covered his mouth.
“Anyways, Purple is the most valuable and rare stone. It is a combination of every attribute that Red and Blue posses. Purple integrates these energies for healing. ”
Thad stared wide eyes at Traiden. “So you’re telling me that Purple can heal me?”
“Yes, depending on how severe your injuries are,” Traiden replied.
“If I break my arm it can mend my bones?” Thad speculated, shaking his left arm at Traiden.
“Not entirely,” Traiden grinned. “It works to assist more than completely heal.”
“Wow. Where can I get one of those stones?” Thad grinned.
“Well there is a catch.”
“Of course, there is always a catch,” Thad sighed dejectedly.
“Not everyone can harness the power of the stones. For many it takes years of training just to be able to produce a spark of fire, or a small blade of grass.”
“Why is that?” Thad asked curiously.
“That I am not sure about. I think it is a combination between ones body chemistry and a willingness to open their mind, body and soul.” Traiden replied honestly.
“Can I learn how to use them?” Thad asked in a hopeful tone.
“Hard to say,” Traiden shrugged “It isn’t a natural gift.”
At that moment, Leath’s ears perked up. He moved a little closer to the pair.
“So can the stones do bad things as well?” Thad wondered, thinking that in the wrong hands the stones could be a very dangerous weapon.
“I am glad you asked. The stones are energy. Like everything they are composed of equal amounts of dark and light, good and evil, ying and yang. That is why I carry the white stone,” He said gently lifting the pure white stone from the palm of his hand. Even in the darkness you could see it sparkle. “Like everything in creation there is an opposite, Male and Female, Darkness and Light, Day and Night, Good and Evil. White naturally occurs in every color because it is pure. Carrying the white stone helps keep the energy pure.”
“Are there any black stones?” Thad wanted to know.
Traiden’s face turned solemn. “When the prism stones fell from the sky, it is believed that portions of the rainbow fused together creating a black stone, a single very powerful black stone. When used with any stone evil warps their abilities. Instead of healing it creates sickness, instead of life it brings death, it makes fire burn uncontrollably. Should anyone posses the black stone and use it would unleash a Pandora’s Box on the entire universe.”
Thad once again felt the burden of his role. His destiny, the watchman inheritance, encompassed protecting every animate and inanimate object, across the universe. Should his judgment fail just once….. He didn’t want to think of the consequences; it was too much to bear. “Where is the Black stone?”
Traiden shook his head. “Legend says, upon seeing the evil plummet towards earth, the angel Lucifer fell to retrieve it. Upon touching the stone it consumed him. Where he collided with your planet is thought to be its resting place, but even the keeper’s have failed to locate the stone.
“But I thought they knew everything?” Thad mused, finding the information puzzling.
“Just because the Keeper’s record history doesn’t mean that they have the ability to see every action a person makes or its consequences,” Traiden explained.
Thad’s mind whirled with wonder, amazement and even fear. Everything he knew, everything he ever believed in was different. He yearned to learn more about this strange new life he had been thrown into to, but struggled with ideas he knew growing up. He wondered if any of it was real. Perhaps he had fallen and struck his
head and was lying in a coma, or maybe this was all a dream. As much as the doubt of this reality held a small corner of his mind, the understanding that this was all too real held an even larger spot.
“Don't want to break up this fascinating lesson, but we must get a move on,” Mathias interrupted, gently nudging the pair forward.
Thad stumbled along behind the others reviewing the history lessons he’d learned. Every new piece of information thrilled and challenged his mind. In his absentmindedness he slammed into Traiden’s backside.
“Ouch,” He yelped rubbing his head. “I think you need to lay off the work outs. It felt like I hit a brick wall.”
Traiden laughed as Thad emerged nursing his face.
Up ahead he could barely make out Mathias’s and Zyphera’s silhouettes. “Why’d we stop?” Thad wondered, sauntering up beside them. “Holy cow!” He exclaimed realizing they were standing at the edge of a giant crater. Looking down, he took in the breath taking scene of a city built in the center of a smoldering depression.
"Not much further now,” Mathias said eyeing the city. “How are you holding up?” He asked, his question not directed at anyone in particular.
“Doing good back here, a little scratch won’t stop this furious fighter,” Leath called out. He masked the pain rippling through his side with every step he took. “Been through worse,” he said keeping a brave face.
“I admire your bravery,” Zyphera whispered smiling at Leath. “The worth of a man is not measured by how much pain he endures, but by admitting he is in pain,” She added.
Leath mumbled something under his breath and hobbled closer to Zyphera. He wrapped his arms around her and planted a big kiss on her lips.
“Once a tough guy, always a tough guy,” Thad said shaking his head. “I am good back here as well. Ready for anything,” he replied.
“Good, our descent into the crater will be a shock to our systems. Because we are in the belly of an ancient volcano, the somewhat clean air we are currently breathing will slowly be replaced by a deadly mix of gases. If we are exposed for too long it will end in our deaths,” Mathias explained. “The integrity of the rock is also a concern. The rock which forms the path to the city is heated from the lava that runs a few hundred feet beneath the surface. At any moment the crust could give way. Every step you take could result in your death.” He spoke with his eyes locked on the city. “Are you ready?” He asked.
“Ready,” They replied in unison.
A much anticipated reunion
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the corridors as Merrick rushed around trying to find Madron. He had looked in the great hall, in the lord’s bedroom, he even checked the loo. He’d stopped at least a dozen servants but no one had seen him. He was about to give up when he found his master in a small library that housed no books, just empty shelves and cobwebs.
“My lord, he awaits you in his chambers,” He panted.
Madron nodded in acknowledgement.
“Is there something bothering you master?” Merrick asked, noting his master’s lack of enthusiasm.
“Hmmm…..what……oh no, I am fine, just half asleep I suppose,” Madron answered, waving off Merrick’s concern “You say he is waiting in his chambers?”
Merrick nodded.
“Very well, I am off to greet our new guest.”
Merrick watched as Madron absently walked down the hall. He could tell something was wrong. He lingered in the room a moment longer, as he closed and latched the door, a small breeze swept into the room. The dust resting on one of the far bookshelves shifted. An image appeared. An image no one has ever seen. An image Madron kept secret in the darkness of the musty library.
Madron slowly walked up the eleven flights of stairs to the Professor’s prison quarters. The entire climb he contemplated weather or not he had it in him to be the gruesome person he had been know as. Then he remembered the years he spent on the desolate and harsh planet of Hadius. He had to search out the darkest regions of his soul for his very survival.
The hatred which burned inside kept him alive and constantly searching for a way out. He swore that should his freedom ever be granted or if he ever found a means of escape, his ultimate goal would be to seek revenge ten fold on those who were responsible. Finally the object of his goal was within his grasp.
He stood brooding in the doorway of the Professor’s quarters. He hesitated for a moment before grasping the tarnished brass ring doorknob. He twisted it, releasing the old rusted bolt from its prison inside the doorframe. With an eerie creak the door swung a few inches inward. Madron let go of the handle and pushed the solid oak door the rest of the way open. He stepped inside. A small glow lit the far side of the room where a tiny candle struggled to survive. The shadows around it seemed determined to snuff out its sputtering little life.
“You took your time coming here,” Bartholomew’s voice echoed from deep within the room.
Madron squinted into the darkness looking for the Professor. He found him hunched against a wall, almost hidden behind the door he’d just walked through.
Bartholomew pushed the door closed. He approached his capture without fear. “You don’t look very happy to see me?” He spoke with confidence, looking straight in Madron’s eyes.
Madron flinched as Bartholomew inched towards him. “You’re just as arrogant as ever,” Madron spat as he regained his composure.
“Arrogant,” scoffed Bartholomew, “You have the nerve to call me arrogant. You’re the one who has an army of the world’s deadliest creatures bowing at your feet and you call me arrogant.”
“I have come by their allegiance honorably and have earned their respect, which is more than you could ever say. You lie and cheat. You used the goodness in people hearts to achieve what you wanted.” Madron fumed. “I may have sold my soul to the devil, but I have done it with a clear conscious.”
Bartholomew laughed. “Sold your soul with a clear conscious eh. That’s a new one.”
The two stood nose to nose each ready to slice the other with a barrage of words and accusations.
“Since we’re being honest, have you told the boy the truth yet?” Madron challenged.
Bartholomew turned away.
“That’s what I thought,” Madron snickered. He opened the door, slamming it behind him. He didn’t need to torture the professor by whipping, burning or cutting him. He knew how to inflict the greatest amount of pain without even lifting a finger. Force him to remember those same memories that have scared Madron’s heart. The very same memories he kept locked away in the farthest reaches of his mind. Now it was time to unlock the gates and bring the justice that was so rightly his.
After Madron left, Bartholomew crawled into a small corner. Waves of uncontrollable sobs crashed over him. “What have I done, what have I done,” He sobbed. “Lord, forgive me for I cannot forgive myself.”
He cradled his bloody legs against his body, resting his face on his skinned knees. He tried to reason with himself, justify the events that lead to this moment. “I had to do it. Can’t you see I had no choice? You must believe me. I did what I did for the greater good.”
Tears ran down his cheek, dripping onto the dirty floor. His mind fought an emotional battle till his body could take no more and pushed him into a restless sleep.
“Dddaaaaddddyyyy” screeched the little girl running down the driveway, her twin brother on her heels.
“How is my little girl!?” Bartholomew smiiled scooping the girl into a big bear hug. “Did you miss me,” he asked as they rubbed noses.
“Of course I missed you daddy,” she answered flashing her pearly teeth.
“Hey dad,” Her brother called out excitedly, “what did you do today.” He was always curious about the life his father led.
“Today,” Bartholomew began, scooping the boy up and holding him on the opposite hip his sister was perched on, “I rescued a small clan of Avesapien from a group of nasty scientist that were trying to experiment on them.”
“That is terrible,” the little girl said in horror. “I don’t understand how people can be so awful to another being, human or not,” she said shaking her head.
Bartholomew chuckled. He was always amazed by her grown up perspective on the world. His son on the other hand was a typical boy.
“So did you kick some serious butt?” His son asked; his face a light with anticipation.
“You know I did,” Bartholomew replied.
“When I grow up, I am going to be just like you dad.”
Sentry Rising Page 25