“Yes. You decided to go there, because you were looking for something. What were you looking for?”
“I wasn’t looking for anything, I was…” Terrance noticed the view out the window. There again in the distance were mountains. Beyond them…there was something. He knew it. But he didn’t know how to get there. “I don’t know what I’m looking for. I just know it’s…important.”
“And you’re on the path toward it now. We all are.”
Terrance looked down to his hip, where the sword had been. “Except that I threw away my sword.”
“You’ll find it again.”
“The faeries are gone; it’s not like they can get me a new one.”
“They never gave you the first one. Terrance, you still need to understand how powerful you are. I know it often seems like a hollow assurance, with the whole world trying to make you feel small.”
Terrance chuckled. “And Talia. I’m not even sure why she came to rescue me.”
Vivian smiled. “You know she’s infatuated with you.”
Terrance thought of the awkward kiss. “She’s…confusing.”
“Ever since you spoke up when they were going to feed her to that creature below your office building, she’s had a thing for you,” Vivian explained. “I think she’s expected a lot out of you since then—and I get the sense that you haven’t felt that you’ve been what you believe you should be.”
“Even when I had my sword and tried to use it, I was useless. I want to help—I want to fight this fight—I just don’t know how I can be of use to anyone.”
Vivian looked him in the eyes. “In this world, everyone has an idea of the courageous warrior who fights with great skill and easily slays all foes. To win this fight, that is not the warrior we need. We need someone greater.”
Terrance frowned. “I don’t know how to be that person.”
“I don’t believe you.”
He could see from her face that she meant it, but that didn’t mean much, considering what he was planning to go up against. And every time he looked at her children, he was reminded that he got their father captured and that there was no real assurance things would ever be right for them again. But he had to try to help, and he was determined to do so. He just needed to somehow find that warrior within himself.
And then a thought struck him. “I saw something…in a computer program…an old one. It was a message, and I think it was meant for me.”
“What did it say?”
“I’m not sure…it was ‘dest less than home,’ which doesn’t seem to mean anything. Or ‘dest under home,’ maybe.” The cavern! “I think I’m supposed to find something in the cavern beneath my apartment. My destiny, maybe.” He had a thought about himself with sword in hand, finally the warrior he was supposed to be. “Or maybe it was just some junk code I’m making too much of.”
Vivian put her hand on his shoulder. “Go and do this.”
“But what about the rescue mission?”
“You’ll catch up with us, I’m sure. But if this quest of yours will help you, then you need to go do it now.”
“Okay. But I’ll be back to help you get your husband.”
She smiled. “I know you will, Terrance. I do not doubt that.”
Felicia stuck her head into the room. “Krampsky is here.”
“Good,” Vivian said. “Let’s see what he’s found out.”
They headed back to the exterior balcony of the tree, where a middle-aged man in a police uniform was standing next to a griffin. Karen was closely watching the creature. “Does it bite?”
“And claw,” Krampsky said.
“We’re finally getting the police involved?” Terrance asked.
Krampsky looked down at his uniform. “Oh. Uh…no. Please know that none of this I’m doing here is in my official capacity as a police officer. I just didn’t have time to change after my shift. Anyway, I can’t stay long, because the fighting is getting fierce out there. They are not letting up this time; we lost two from our group during a recent assault. I’m not sure where they’re going with this. I’m guessing they’re hoping we’re demoralized after what happened with the crystal palace and that they can beat us into submission.”
Talia smiled. “They’re quite scared of us.”
Krampsky nodded. “That’s one way of looking at it. Anyway, we confirmed that your people are being held in the fortress on the mountaintop. And we’re hearing that they’re planning a public execution.”
Terrance finally saw a little bit of worry creep into Vivian’s expression. Her children paid no attention, though, giggling and watching what looked like a monkey jump from branch to branch above them.
“Things are changing,” Vivian finally said. “It shows that we’re getting to them.”
“So we plan a rescue?” Felicia asked.
Vivian nodded. “Of course. I think my parents should be able to watch Grace and Daniel, and then we’ll get going.” She looked at Krampsky. “When we’ve retrieved the others, we’ll help with the fight in the streets.”
“I’m not sure how long they’ll keep this up,” he said. “They’re trying to wear us down with constant battle, but they’re now so bold about it that many more people are starting to notice. I don’t know what their endgame is.”
“Theirs is nothing but a path of destruction,” Talia declared. “We will help them along.”
Vivian looked at the group. “Everyone ready to march into the heart of enemy territory?”
“My schedule is clear this time,” Donald said.
“I just need to call my parents again and I should be good,” Felicia said.
Talia’s hands went to the hilts of her swords. “I am always ready.”
“I’m still not really sure what’s going on, but I’ll help,” Karen said.
“I can get to that other thing later,” Terrance said. “I’ll do what I can to help.”
Vivian shook her head. “No, you have a personal quest to do. We won’t be heading out right away, so perhaps we’ll meet up with you again before it goes down.”
“Okay.” He had no idea what the quest was going to be like, but he felt certain he would be more use to them after it. If he succeeded. He really didn’t have any idea what he was heading into.
“Good luck.” Krampsky climbed back onto his griffin. “The forces of evil can’t attack us so relentlessly forever; something has to give. But it won’t be us.” With a flap of its giant wings, the griffin took off.
“You have a quest?” Talia asked.
“Yeah…I think so. Um”—Terrance peered over the edge of the tree—“how does one get down from here?”
“Follow me.” They all followed Vivian back into the tree. She led them to an alcove in the wall that appeared to have a pit inside.
Terrance peered down it. He felt a gust of wind blow up from below, but he couldn’t see anything. “What do we do here?”
“I want to do it!” Daniel exclaimed and jumped into the pit. Grace giggled and followed him. Terrance looked at Vivian, who just nodded.
He jumped into the pit and began freefalling, just as one would expect to do when falling down a pit so deep you can’t see the bottom. He flailed his arms wildly—not that there was anything to grab on to—and he could see lights flashing by, perhaps windows he was falling past. He could only imagine what he looked like from the outside. But as he fell, he felt more and more wind rushing up against him. Eventually, he even felt his fall slow down, until he was actually descending so slowly that he was no longer panicked. That’s when he could see a grate below, from which the wind was rushing up. It was slightly slanted, though, and as he neared it, he was pushed out an opening to the side and landed in a pile of leaves, where Daniel and Grace were playing. Terrance looked around and realized he was at the base of the giant tree.
“Again!” Daniel shouted.
“Look!” Grace exclaimed, pointing at Cloppers, who was standing near a wall. The children raced over to see the unicor
n.
Terrance climbed out of the pile of leaves as one by one, Vivian, Donald, Felicia, Talia, and Karen landed there.
“Who exactly put this all together?” Karen asked, looking more than a little annoyed as she brushed leaves off.
“Just one of many, many mysteries,” Felicia said.
“Mommy! Can we ride the unicorn?” Grace called out. She was standing next to Cloppers, patting his flank.
“He’s not a pony at a fair for children to ride for five dollars,” Talia said, and then paused. “Then again…I don’t see why they can’t.”
Vivian walked over to Cloppers. “He’s friendly, right?” The unicorn reared when she got near.
“You have to be a maiden to approach him,” Talia said.
Vivian looked offended. “I’m married.”
“He doesn’t care,” Talia answered.
“He doesn’t seem to like you, Mommy,” Daniel said.
Vivian rolled her eyes. “Yes, I guess I’m not getting a unicorn ride.”
Talia picked up Grace and put her on Cloppers’ back, then Daniel. “So, what are we down here for?”
“We’re seeing Terrance off,” Vivian answered, looking at him. “You might as well get going. We’ll be working on our plan for a bit before we head out.”
“Okay…I guess I’ll see you guys soon…I hope.”
“We’ll try not to destroy all evil before you meet back up with us,” Donald said.
Terrance thought for a moment about what he was potentially taking on, and he felt excited. He remembered how Erica had gotten her bow from her personal quest, and Terrance could only assume some new weapon waited for him to make up for losing his sword. This was his time to finally become a warrior. “I know I need to do this. And then I’ll be back, and there won’t be any more hesitation from me again.”
Vivian paused as she watched her children on Cloppers’ back as he trotted around. “Just remember who you are, and everything will work out.”
Terrance felt he was still finding out who he was. “I guess I need to get back to my apartment.” He turned to Talia. “What were the directions you gave to Lance?”
“Avoid nymphs.”
Chapter 35
The Iron Chariot seemed pretty indistinguishable from a bus, but it did get Terrance to within a short walking distance of his apartment. As he arrived, the sun was beginning to set. He looked at Lance’s apartment above his own and wondered if he should check to make sure he’d gotten back all right, but decided to first relax on his couch for a bit, as it had been a busy day. When he entered his apartment, he found his couch already occupied.
She was in a new black outfit. It looked like a leotard with fishnet stockings, and on her face was a mask that resembled a demonic maw with sharp teeth, covering her mouth and nose. Still, she was quite recognizable by her eyes and the blonde hair tied in a ponytail.
“You look like an evil ninja,” Terrance said. A sexy, evil ninja.
“Night Mistress,” Shannon answered, still sitting on the couch. The TV was on, showing some guy explaining his paint choices for a room. Apparently Shannon had been watching HGTV while waiting for him. “I got a promotion,” she said. “I’m even quicker and stronger now.”
“Well, I’m the same speed and same strength.” Terrance noticed the sword strapped to her back and wondered what her purpose was here.
She slowly stood up. In her hand was a blue bag from Best Buy. “I got you a gift. I know it must have been pretty hard the way I played you, and I wanted to apologize.”
She handed the bag to Terrance, and he opened it. Inside was Legendary Quest. He had almost forgotten about that game, but he really wanted to play it.
He left the game in the bag and set it down on the coffee table. “So what exactly are you sorry for? Since you destroyed the faeries’ palace, I can see all your friends and minions out everywhere hunting people down. Is that what you’re sorry for?”
“I’m sorry that you feel hurt, as you don’t quite understand—”
“Oh, I understand perfectly,” Terrance said, his tone firm but not angry. “And you understand as well. I know that your trying to leave the Darkness wasn’t a complete subterfuge from the beginning. But you got scared. I’m done with the fear, though. I don’t care how powerful the forces of the Darkness seem, I will stand against them.”
Her eyes showed shock. “I thought you said you were done with all that!”
“I was wrong. I’m not going to stand idly by. And I’m certainly not going to join you.”
Her eyes narrowed. “So we’re enemies now?”
He glanced at her sheathed sword again. “That’s your choice.”
She looked him over. “Where is your sword?”
“I…misplaced it.”
She chuckled. “So you’re really going to take on the Darkness and all its power? Do you have any idea what you’re up against?”
“I’m up against evil. And I will fight however I’m able.”
Shannon reached up and removed her mask. Underneath, her lips were blood-red. Her expression turned to one of deep concern. She reached out and touched his arm. “Terrance, please don’t do this. I…love you.”
She was close enough that he could smell the sour-apple scent of her hair. He’d never realized before how artificial it smelled. “And I love you…at least the parts of you left after the Darkness has taken away so much. Do you really want me to be like you? To be hollowed-out inside? To give away everything?”
“That’s not what this is! Do you understand how powerful the Darkness is? You can either join them and share in that power, or you can be crushed like you’re nothing! There’s no choice here; don’t you see?”
Terrance nodded. “That’s the conclusion I came to. I either have to fight the evil or be a part of it. I also don’t see much of a choice there.”
Shannon frowned. “So, destruction then?”
She was right; it did seem a rather hopeless battle. But hopeless or not, he was in it. “I don’t think they’re powerful enough to destroy me.”
Shannon gabbed Terrance by his arms and flung him effortlessly on the couch. Then she straddled him, pinning him there. “You’re delusional.” She moved one hand to his neck. “Do you have any idea how easy it would be for me right now to just—” She stopped and squinted at him carefully. “I smell her.”
“Smell?”
“I have enhanced senses…like Wolverine.” Her comfort with comic-book references reminded Terrance of why he was so attracted to her. She sniffed the air. “I thought she was dead, but…” She took her hand off Terrance’s neck and brought one finger to his lips. And then her face turned so sad that Terrance wanted to reach up and comfort her except for the fact that she had pinned him quite well. “Is that what this is about?” she said.
“No, she just suddenly kissed me recently…”
Shannon tightened her grip on Terrance’s shoulder. “I’m prettier. I have a larger chest. I’m quite sure I’m much more fun.”
“That’s not what this is about. I want to be with you…I really do. But not like this. I’ve chosen my side in this fight. I wish you hadn’t chosen yours.”
Shannon slid off of Terrance and sat on the far side of the couch, away from him. “We never finished watching Farscape together,” she said.
“Well, if you want to know, the two main characters die at the end.”
Shannon raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“Crichton and Aeryn are killed in the last episode—like, disintegrated—and it just comes out of nowhere.”
“That’s stupid.”
“It was supposed to be a cliffhanger, but the show was canceled, so it was the last episode.”
“And that was it? They’re dead?”
“Well, a miniseries was made later,” Terrance said. “I assume they were resurrected somehow for that.”
“Assume?”
“I never saw it. I was waiting to watch it with you.”
Th
ey sat there silently for a few seconds, both staring forward instead of at each other. Finally, Shannon stood up and put her mask back on. “When I see you again, I will kill you.” Then she walked out of the apartment.
Terrance sat for a while longer, looking at the Best Buy bag on his coffee table. It was tempting to just forget everything for a while and finally play Legendary Quest, but he had a real quest to attend to. He got off the couch, stared for a moment at the door Shannon had walked out of, took a deep breath, and prepared to meet his destiny.
Chapter 36
As Terrance descended the ladder from his coat closet, he felt he was in a bit of a rush. Currently, the others were getting ready for the rescue at the fortress, and he wanted to be done with this quest in time to help, since he still felt responsible for their capture. At the same time, he had no idea how long this would take.
He was soon down in the glow of the crystal-lit caves. He walked out to the giant open area with the underground lake. There were numerous other tunnels leading out of the area, and there was also the temple across the lake, so he had no idea where to start looking.
“Hi, Terrance!” called Jenna the mermaid, popping her head out of the water. “Whatcha doing?”
“Oh, um, I’m looking for something down here that’s…meant for me. Like a quest I’m supposed to do.”
“I can help you find it!” Jenna exclaimed. “Just come in the water with me and I’ll lead you to it!”
“You think it’s in the water?” Terrance hadn’t really planned on swimming, or he would have changed into swim trunks.
“Yeah, there’s a lot of stuff down here in the water. I can show you!”
“I don’t really want to get wet.”
“Come on, you swam in this water the other day; it’s really nice.”
“Do not listen to her,” croaked another voice. Out of the water rose the large, green scaly creature he’d met the other day. “She will lead you to your doom.”
Jenna frowned at the creature. “Oh, shut up, Carl!” She looked at Terrance. “He’s the one who will doom you! Just look at those teeth; he’ll eat you.”
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