by S. E. Akers
Nerina opened her arms to me. “Come, child,” she urged.
I hugged her back, though I feared squeezing her too hard.
“I won’t break,” Nerina insisted, “ . . . despite my drained appearance.”
I flashed her an uneasy smile when I pulled back. I wanted to tell her how thrilled I was to meet her, but regretfully, I found myself so taken aback that my mouth ended up blurting out, “Are you all right?” And I could feel how tight my nose was crinkling too.
“I will be soon enough,” she assured. “As long as Tannerius has in his possession what I asked him to bring.”
Tanner pulled a leather pouch out of his pocket and handed it to Nerina. “These should last for a couple of months.”
Nerina patted the side of his face like the proudest of mothers would. “Bless you,” she praised. She opened the pouch and pulled out a blue tourmaline. “This hue is my personal favorite,” she winked. Then she gave the stone a squeeze, crushing it completely in her hand. Within seconds, she looked exactly like the vision I’d seen Seraphina impersonating moments ago, right down to her tight black curls and glowing nutmeg-colored skin.
Nerina gave the pouch of stones a light shake. “Arica has been supplying me with them for a while now . . . risking her life for me,” she revealed. “She is such a selfless, beautiful soul. It is a shame that her own sister cannot see it.”
Well now I officially knew where all the tourmalines had disappeared to and why. But that just left me feeling kind of bad for using them, especially all those black ones. Thankfully she preferred the blue stones. That helped alleviate some of my guilt.
Then low and behold, Nerina pulled a black one out of the pouch. “However this one will help fortify the wards guarding my prisoner . . . Lorelei’s father,” she revealed. “Though the creature’s dark powers drains their magic so quickly.”
I smiled and nodded to her uncomfortably. And now I feel horrible…
Nerina exuded a sigh. “Once the creature was captured, I wanted it brought here, so I could make sure it never escaped. I did that for Lorelei.” Nernia’s gaze turned somber. “To ensure she would never have to see its face. I fear what lies the beast would tell her in its attempts to see her turn into the thing that frightens her most. She is truly a haunted soul.” Then she took hold of my hand and gave it a couple of heedful squeezes. “You must be wary of Lorelei, child,” she advised. “I am afraid she blames the world for her fate. Her mother . . . Her father . . . Her sister . . . The creature . . . I doubt she will ever see past the pain.” The Water Guardian’s eyes brimmed with pity. “I had Seraphina stand in my place today not only because my appearance would have revealed my waning powers, but I knew she would be much harder on Lorelei.” Then Nerina roused an evocative smile, one typically reserved for the most blindly adoring mothers. “It is true that Lorelei used to play here as a child. She was so much company to me back then. I saw her as if she were my own . . . A part of me still does even today. Destiny had decreed that both Lorelei and Arica would be Talismans, but that her parents’ firstborn would be the one to hold watch over the seas and claim the Aquamarine. None of us knew that its prophecy was intended for Arica. I’m afraid that was both a joyful and very tragic time for us . . . and for all of Atlantia.”
“Atlantia,” I echoed curiously. “Do you mean like Atlantis, Atlantia?”
The Water Guardian’s eyes glinted like they were dancing on a stretch of sun-kissed waters. “The one and the same,” she revealed.
“Does it still exist?” I asked. After everything I’d discovered since the day I claimed my diamond, anything was possible.
“Yes,” Nernia replied. Her vibrant eyes faded into a light grayish-blue hue. “But not as it once stood, I am sad to say.” She turned to Tanner. “You will have to tell her the full tale one day soon, Tannerius. I have a feeling her path may carry her there before too long.”
Tanner nodded. “I agree . . . but not too soon. She has a lot more experience to gain,” he added, sounding particularly stringent. In fact, his tone would make a stranger think I was barely through my first week of training.
I hinted a wounded glare towards Tanner. Ouch…
Nerina studied Tanner suspiciously. “Did you bring the other item I requested?”
Tanner pulled out the oculus. “I did,” he admitted flatly.
“Then why am I sensing your reservations?” Nerina questioned. “From what my sources tell me, you have been training the Diamond Talisman for weeks . . . and she has banished all the creatures you asked of her.”
Tanner looked more than hesitant. “Yes,” he replied and then returned my wounded glance with one that was painfully apologetic. “But she’s far from ready for what you ask.”
A nagging feeling crept down my spine as I looked between the two of them. “Ready for what?” I questioned.
Tanner and Nerina stared at each other for a moment. It was obvious just from the track of their fixed gazes and the intense silence flooding the air that they were carrying on a private conversation. I knew precisely when it had wrapped up by the disheartened look shadowing the Water Guardian’s expression.
“Ready for what?” I repeated, this time only to Nerina.
“To send Galious back to The Darklands . . . Lorelei’s father,” she replied. “So I may grant you my stone. I cannot do it with the creature still here in this world, bound by my magic.”
I could feel my skin paling. Battling a creature to take possession of a Guardian’s stone was the last thing I’d expected to be slapped with today—on top of my run-in with Lorelei—but the draining feeling stemmed more from the fact that Tanner was putting his foot down so adamantly. A part of me was really offended, especially with him doing it right here in front of me and saying it to an actual in-the-flesh supreme Guardian, no less. He’d better thank his lucky stars that he was such an incredible kisser.
I turned to him straightaway, my brow cocked just enough to make my point. “Why don’t you think I’m ready?”
“Because Galious is special,” he answered swiftly. “I only captured the beast after amassing a centuries’ worth of fighting creatures, and I still almost died doing so.”
I stared at him feeling flat and hollow, kind of like a set of new tires that had been poked with a knife and were whistling air as they made their way down. I knew he wasn’t exaggerating, but I still wasn’t feeling all fuzzy about him making this kind of decision on my behalf.
Nerina placed her hand on my shoulder. “Would you like to see the creature?” she asked. “And if you decide that you’re ready, then I will disregard Tannerius’ council.”
I nodded. “Yes,” I insisted, though I could tell Tanner would have preferred me taking a pass. I turned to him. “I think it would be in my best interest to see it and then let me judge for myself.”
Nerina cleared her throat, shutting down whatever argument was about to shoot out of Tanner’s mouth. “And I agree as well, child,” she said, passing Tanner a scolding glimmer. She nodded to Tanner and then pointed to my frame with a sweeping gesture. “Tannerius, would you be so kind?”
“Of course,” Tanner replied and then placed his hand on my shoulder. Within a matter of seconds, every last ounce of extra water had been completely wrung from my hair and clothes, right down to my underwear.
I ran my hand through my straight, dry tresses as I glanced down at my formerly-soaked clothes. The swell of my eyes was uncontainable as every waterfall, river, ocean, and drop of rain I’d been smacked with marched a steady path through my head.
My stare shot to Tanner. “Please tell me that’s something you can only do here,” I advised.
The only thing sheepish about his shrug was the wool he’d pulled over my eyes for so long. “Do you want me to tell you that, or do you want the truth?” he countered, trying not to grin.
I couldn’t say how long I stood there mouth-cracked and mute after hearing that ruffling little-too-late admission.
Nerina finally
placed her hands on my back and began guiding my frame, tearing my eyes from his stare. “Come this way,” she requested.
Yep, I affirmed with a grumble. He’d better be glad…
The three of us headed down a long stone hall until we had arrived at an open chamber flooded with nothing but the murk of eerie shadows and the sounds of our echoing footsteps. The only light guiding us was Nerina’s own bioluminescence, shining in the form of a mystical neon blue afterglow. Tanner maneuvered beside me and took my hand. The squeeze he issued was daunting. It was still passionate but in a more fierce and protective sort of way. Now I was really starting to wonder what kind of freakshow would be waiting for us when our steps came to an end.
Nerina finally motioned for us to stop. Her eyes fell to a close as she lifted her hands in the air. Suddenly the same magical neon-blue glow that cloaked the Guardian’s frame now flooded the chamber in the form of a massive, mystical-looking dome. The barrier swept through the rest of the space, at least the length of a football field and a little over half as high. I peered through the iridescent blue structure that now stood before me. All I spied was a void, empty shell of shadows. And after Tanner’s hand squeeze, seeing nothing wasn’t the coziest of feelings.
“Will it come out?” I muttered.
“Unfortunately,” Tanner grumbled. “I’m sure the bastard is in there right now calculating which of its forms would prove most intimidating.”
“How many forms can it take?” I asked. Tanner seemed reluctant to answer, so I turned to Nerina.
“It can change its shape to anything it desires, creature or man,” Nerina replied. “Whatever suits its needs . . . However its birthed form is by far its most heinous.”
The sound of approaching footsteps soon alerted our ears. A figure was walking a casual path towards us, upright and looking like any other human from this distance. The hazy figure became clearer the closer it came. Within a matter of seconds, the creature appeared bearing the likeness of a beautiful little red-headed boy, roughly three years-old, with tears streaming from his eyes. The only thing that would have made the scene any sadder was if he happened to be holding a run-over puppy lying dead in his arms.
“Galious has a warped sense of humor,” Nerina assured, “as well a great amount of telepathic ability, but it has no powers of compulsion. However the creature can communicate and draw images from another’s head.” Nerina shook her head warily. “Sometimes it is difficult for even my wards to contain its reach. Though he cannot access mine or any other Guardian’s . . . nor yours,” she added. “So do not fear him entering your thoughts.”
Tanner approached the pitiful-looking toddler behind the mystical barrier. Without delay, the little boy’s face cracked out a sinister scowl. All he needed was a pair of overalls, a painted up face, and a sharp kitchen knife and you would swear that Chuckie had just sprung to life.
My stare bounced between the creature and Tanner. Going off the furious tremble Tanner was trying to repress with his arms locked at his chest, whatever the creature was relaying to his head had sent him into a swift rage. I’d never seen him filled with this much raw fury.
I started to reach for Tanner’s arm when he abruptly charged towards the mystical force field, now standing so close he was almost pressing his head against it. The Leviathan extended a vile smirk and then changed shapes again. However this time, he took Tanner’s form, every handsome and heated ounce of him.
Nerina walked over and placed her arm on the Amethyst Talisman. “You know not to listen to its words,” she said, soothing him with several strokes of her hand. She pulled him back and then motioned for me to approach the creature.
I headed towards the cell, my steps as controlled as they were firm. Galious casually positioned itself in front of me. Then the creature abruptly shifted from Tanner’s likeness into something just as surprising. He’d taken the identical form of my dear sweet mother, dark-roots and all.
I turned to Nerina. “If he can’t access my mind, then where did he pull her image from?”
Nerina’s eyes flared. “Lorelei,” she muttered, sounding displeased. “The creature had to have sensed her presence here with the blood-link they share.”
“That’s more stressful than scary,” I remarked while I looked into Galious’ eyes, unimpressed.
The creature rolled the face of my mother into a wicked sneer and then I watched curiously as her likeness began to tremble. The Leviathan stood there, convulsing like it was having a seizure, gyrating and twisting about in a frenzy. Then suddenly, my mother’s figure started to morph into something else, something far more savage and monstrous. Its arms and legs had taken on a more animal-like muscular shape. Charcoal-colored scales swept over its form with the rush of a flash flood, devouring every last trace of peach-colored flesh. Then frightful-looking barbs began shooting out of its hide left and right, coating it as densely as a porcupine. A jolting “snap” scored the air like the bang of a gun that sent a line of sail-like fins ripping a path down each of its limbs. Their track came to a halt soon enough, ending with the most harrowing hooked-claws I’d ever seen. My aghast eyes lifted to its face. Charlotte’s bleach-blonde hair and well-maintained 40-plus face was now gone, and in its place lay a mug so horrifying and grotesque it would keep a psychopath up all night pinching their own body with a pair of pliers in hopes of not falling asleep. I quickly clenched my teeth before my mouth could finish its free-fall to the floor. Its head was abnormally elongated and covered with the same thick, dark scales. My eyes homed in on the creature’s mouth. Stair-stepping rows of tusk-like fangs circled an orifice that stretched the size of a dinner plate. A gruesome-looking, forked-tongue slithered out of its mouth and then licked a gross line down the force field directly in front of my face. And through the entire stint of that gape-worthy horror-show, I was proud of the fact that I hadn’t cringed much at all. Then just as I started to turn away, the creature swiftly exploded in size until it filled the entire dome.
Trembling, I sprang back into a flinch when I found myself face-to-face with only its right eye, which towered over my head and stretched down to my feet. Galious pressed the glowing green orb against the mystical barrier, its core pulsing like a heartbeat. I’d seen that particular hungry gaze on a creature once before — the chimera. But even it didn’t radiate the whet desire that this thing’s eyes were burning. In this creature’s mind, I was already a corpse standing here — a ripped apart one at that.
League, My ass… I wasn’t even in the same daggone universe as this thing.
Nerina raised her hand and twisted it like she was clutching something vehemently. Then suddenly, white-hot sparks of electricity stuck the monstrous Leviathan inside the mystical dome. It twisted about in a ferocious fit, letting out a battery of savage roars and pushing against the force field. Slowly, the creature began shrinking in size with every fiery jolt. With her assault a success, Nerina turned and placed her arm around me. “Come along, Shiloh. There is nothing else to see here today.”
I glanced back at Galious a couple of times on our way out. It didn’t matter how much smaller it was when I looked; I knew I wasn’t ready for this and began seriously doubting I ever would be. Seeing something that horrendous and gigantic had my thoughts whirling about all the other creatures lurking amid the shadows in both realms. Though even the ones I’d seen in The Darklands that were larger than the balegore weren’t anywhere close to the scale of that massive mother of a beast.
No one said a word for what seemed like forever all throughout our walk. I found the silence just as stressful as I did comforting. That came to an end as soon as we arrived back at the staircase.
“My abilities to sense emotions are even more fine-tuned than Tannerius’,” Nerina assured. “I know it is not your time to face the creature.”
Suddenly I started feeling like the same disappointment I did weeks ago. “I’m so sorry,” I muttered.
“Do not be sorry, child,” Nerina smiled. “It is simply not i
n your destiny today. I am patient. One day it will be, and that is all the comfort I need.”
I believed her words wholeheartedly, but that didn’t help quell the guilt I was struggling with. The only way I could add her stone to my Guardian collection was to have all of her powers in it. And the only way she could stop them from being drained and put them back in there was for me to send Galious back across The Veil. However after seeing that beast, I doubted there was enough optimism throughout the four corners of the earth for me to go glass-half-full on that one. At least not today, and that was even factoring in a blessing from a shaman’s stone.
We didn’t stay too much longer. The downside of being in the presence of two Emotion Whisperers was that they could sense when someone was being a bit of a downer. So with our good-byes fired off, the two of us headed down the staircase en route to one of Nerina’s teleporting waterfalls. It didn’t matter that we were leaving; my worrisome thoughts about the creature bounced in my head with every bump of the steps. My only hope was that they would all rinse off on the ride out.
“Galious was the creature I faced in the vortex,” Tanner announced abruptly.
My mind drifted back to the sounds of his painful groans that I’d heard that evening, the ones that had sent me and my fears charging in there after him.
Tanner stopped his descent. “Shiloh, I wouldn’t want to face Galious again,” he admitted. “Adamas felt the same, and even he failed to capture the creature . . . numerous times,” he stressed.
“I know I’m not ready,” I admitted. “But I also know you can’t speak for me.” After his talk about “physical limitations” down in his lagoon and then nixing a match with a creature before I’d even gotten a chance to see it, I was starting to feel like I had strings tied to all of my limbs like a daggone marionette.
“I’m not sorry for my objections, but I am for overstepping my bounds,” he admitted. “I know you will have to send that beast back eventually, but I think you can understand why I’m not keen on the idea.” He cupped my face in his hands fervently. “You could charge in there today and successfully banish him,” Tanner stated, “ . . . But Galious could also overwhelm your efforts, all of our efforts, since Nerina would have to lower her defenses for you to even enter his cell to make an attempt.” Tanner may have straightened his stance, but the heaviness weighing his lids clued me in on what was about to cross his lips. “And then there’s the chance that you could . . .”