As he spoke, Scarface glowed in a halo of vermillion light.
“Who is this old person?”
“I’m sure the girl knows who he is.”
Despite the tight straps, they all managed to turn towards Titiana.
“Sometimes he was old, and sometimes he was young. Sometimes frail, sometimes tall and imposing. When I was little, I thought he was my father. I had been adopted. My parents...they’re wonderful, but I was aware that I wasn’t like them. This man...he told me about a magnificent country, and with him I forgot I couldn’t walk. He...he knew some magic, that was obvious. But I was just a child when I last saw him. I started believing he was someone I had made up in my head. But he does exist. And you’re lying. You’re not more powerful than he is.”
“Oh, look at that. The little lamb is showing her fangs to defend her valiant hero.”
Scarface’s tone changed.
“But many fairs have passed since you last saw him, you said that yourself, and things have changed. My power has grown stronger, and his...no. Don’t you think he would already be here if he could do something to help you? Or perhaps he’s hiding in a corner. No, I’m positive I don’t see him. You’re alone, the old miser abandoned you.”
He stood up and walked towards Titiana.
“I don’t like repeating myself, but here, I’m the strongest, and I’m in charge. I believe the chitchatting has gone on for long enough. You should have understood by now that no one is coming to save you. I rule that you shall die. Immediately.”
CHAPTER 27 WHEN SCIENCE IS USELESS
Jules went to pick up Merlin and their new accomplice. On the way to the school, they made introductions, and the Duc revealed their course of action. The Duc had enough magic in him to travel without any special door, but that wasn’t the case for the other two. They would use the passageway. The Duc, younger by at least ten years, had brought with him an unlabeled vial of a limited-strength potion that would give them a little extra boost to get to Lalea. He refused to give any details about its effects except that they would enjoy sensations they had long forgotten, and that it would only work if they kept an open mind. Despite the differences in time, they still needed to hurry. Again, he didn’t give any details, but they sensed imminent danger from his tone of voice. All the professor’s useless equipment was loaded into the trunk where it would remain for a while. A costly hodgepodge worth less than a small flask.
The school entrance door had been locked since their last visit, but they wouldn’t need to pick the keyhole. The Duc made a quick fluttering movement with his hand, and the lock turned. Magic has the gift of making life easier. René’s arrival was treated with the same fluid maneuver, a look to stop the smallest, biggest, and the most distant from approaching and from remembering having seen anything. Therefore, they reached the classroom without any problem.
Once there, the Duc searched a hidden pocket in his bodysuit and retrieved the prized bottle. Scarcely a liquid, it didn’t look easy to swallow, a sticky, pasty consistency that would cling to the throat. It appeared thick enough to chew, but soft enough to melt under the tongue. Its aroma was neutral, but its flavor was much less so. They regretted how long the taste lingered on their palate as they swallowed numerous times to get rid of it. Yet they didn’t have any choice if they wanted to find their lost travelers.
Within seconds of closing their eyes, they had arrived at the entry of what they didn’t yet know was Midway. Without realizing it, they had shed years until they were about the age of seventeen, a time when dreams are their grandest and the future lies ahead with its endless possibilities.
The air was calm, too calm, but they didn’t know that yet. After several more seconds, time for them to express astonishment at their new condition, to make sure they were really themselves, and to congratulate each other on their surprisingly youthful state, the Duc called them to order and hurried them towards the city center. They crossed a bridge overlooking what had been water and was now a sanguineous boiling broth. Reddish bubbles burst to the surface, spewing what looked like thick magma onto the riverbanks where it turned into brown crust in the sun. The imperfect, racing river seemed famished. Empty and insatiable flowing of blood that assaulted the bridge to engulf anyone within its reach.
The entrance to the town was deserted. A horn lay abandoned under the portico, and the wind would occasionally blow a few flat, discordant notes through it. Jules and Merlin were reminded of those ghost towns that haunted the Wild West and almost expected to see vultures perched atop a saloon and tumbleweeds blowing down the road. There was none of that, but shop stalls were abandoned, and pieces of this and that lay in the dust. As if a crowd had rushed through town and stirred up all the dirt.
The Duc seemed to know exactly where he was going, and didn’t slow his pace as he passed the deserted town. Jules and Merlin soon discovered that the town wasn’t as empty it looked. What they’d thought were decorative features, including Merlin who’d had a memory lapse, stationed by the front door of the houses, were living creatures. Schlirbs crouched and trembling with their heads lowered, eyes closed, and hands covering their ears. Not a one reacted as the new arrivals approached, not a one was caring for its childhood companion that it usually followed everywhere. A traumatic event must have occurred, leaving them helpless and thoroughly alone in the town. One could imagine the dilapidation past the open doors of the homes that weren’t really being watched over by the schlirbs, making their situation even more pitiful. Yet the Duc hurried on.
The streets became narrower. By way of different streets, the Duc led the adults to the same place where he had sent the students. The air turned oppressive, heavy with moisture and also danger. Jules and Merlin had to almost run to keep up with the fast pace of the little man. Long legs aren’t always the fastest. They kept their eyes glued to him, and so they missed seeing the thick cloud that had formed above the heart of the city and that was visibly growing. The sky, clear blue at the edges, was now covered by a thick fog that no sun could penetrate. Darker than any childhood coal drawing scribbled while on the farm by the one named the Great Destroyer, more ravenous than the clawed monsters who terrorized the countryside of the former kingdom, more worrisome than the shadows taking shape, the cloud filled up the air above Midway.
They were completely lost in a labyrinth of side streets and alleys that the Duc made them take, when a local, gigantic, wearing an embroidered mask, suddenly ran towards them.
“You shouldn’t go that way. They all gathered there, but it’s not a good idea. You certainly won’t find hirse there. It’s something treacherous. I know because I feel it. All my scars are irritated, and that’s always a sign of danger. It’s like they know they’re going to have to make room for a new one.”
He stopped talking and turned towards Jules, stared at him, and then scratched his shaven head.
“I’ve seen you before, haven’t I? Yes, I’m sure of it. Oh, why can’t I remember anything? My poor skull has been pummeled so many times that it seems my memory has seeped out of the wounds.”
Upon saying this, he punched his very own head, most likely an attempt to stir up a fragment of memory. Meanwhile, the Duc used the impromptu pause to scrutinize Jules.
“Well, of course, it’s fairly obvious,” he muttered through his teeth. Then out loud, “You look like your son. You’re not identical, of course. But you can see the family resemblance. Maybe that will help you.”
When he next spoke, he looked directly at the giant, future amnesiac.
“You know this young man. You’ve already met, but you weren’t able to help him that time. I think this would be a good time to make up for that.”
“Oh yes, yes, of course. Absolutely. I never let my friends down. Or anybody for that matter. You’ve already seen my trick? The children love—”
The Duc stopped him before he could demonstrate it, and they continued on their way, heading towards the crowd that the giant had just warned them to avoid. Se
veral steps behind, Jules and Merlin questioned the Duc.
“How were you so sure he was talking about Cosmo?”
“I’ve been following their entire voyage, every person your children have met since they first stepped foot on Lalea. Or almost every step. So has the Destroyer, by the way.”
“But how? And who is this Destroyer?”
“The one you call Scarface. He’s given himself a new title. And to answer your first question, using the birds. Don’t act so surprised. He created the birds that fly over Lalea, who bring him news of all that’s happening. These creatures have an extraordinary sense of hearing, and I tried to warn your children. Beware of the Destroyer. Though at this moment, he’s too preoccupied to pay attention to what’s happening outside. We have a chance. As long as they can resist him a little longer. I hope they’re strong enough.
“Would you please tell us a little bit about your plan?”
“No. It’s too critical. You’ll understand why when you see it. Only if it works. That’s assuming the Great Master is right,” he said with a sigh.
With the giant in the lead, they met up with the town inhabitants and the crowd that had filled the fair. This time they looked up, as did everyone else, at the cloud that looked more threatening than any they’d ever seen before a storm. They were gathered at the foot of the castle. At a safe distance, however, they finally recognized the evil emanating from it. With their noses in the air, mothers held on tightly to their children, and fathers did their best to hide their fear.
Suddenly, a child escaped from his mother’s grip and threw himself at Jules’ feet. Like the giant, he seemed to recognize him and tried to drag him towards a small group on the outskirts. He chattered nonstop, visibly excited.
“You came back. I knew you’d come back to save us. I told everybody you would, but they didn’t want to believe that you would come back ...” Then he lowered his voice in respectful tone, “from so far away. But you’re alone? Your friends aren’t with you? That’s OK, I suppose you know what you’re doing. You have to tell them, you tell them. I knew it, I knew it!”
Jules, with Merlin, the Duc, and the giant right behind him, mingled with the small group. They became the star attraction while the little red-headed boy named all the extraordinary exploits he was sure to accomplish. Amidst the small group was a couple, obviously in love, and it looked like the wife had just recently given birth, an older man dressed from head to toe in white, a young boy who seemed to be the same age as the talkative one, a man holding what looked like a horse bridle, and a boy who looked to be his son. The small group looked suspiciously at the new arrivals, and some were even giving Jules threatening looks. When a catastrophe happens, it’s always easier to blame the stranger. The Duc intervened to clarify the situation, and Merlin who was standing closest, heard him mumble, “Now that should make things easier. It’s unbelievable what the Master of Time knows.”
“Everyone, listen to me. I know you don’t particularly care for me, but you need to trust me. This little cloud is just a glimpse of what will happen to our world if we don’t do something now. This man isn’t the one you think he is. But little Achilles is right on one point, he comes from afar. And those you met earlier who seemed different also came from far away. The legend is true. People from faraway have come to save us, but they also need us. Our power is greater when we’re united. You remember the words, right?”
“They will come from afar. They will look just like us, but they will be different. They will be alone, and they will be several.”
“When darkness extends beyond the center of the world.”
“When evil is born in the night.”
“They will come to remind us of light. They will be weak and grow strong from our force. And our force will give birth to their presence. And their presence will always be ephemeral.”
“They will only exist for those who recognize them.”
“That’s right, that’s right, the Duc interrupted. “I see that you’ve learned your lessons. But it’s not exactly in that order, and the exact words have been forgotten since the announcement of the prophecy, but the meaning is there. Do you understand now?”
They looked at each for a few seconds, and then the old pale man spoke, “What should we do?”
CHAPTER 28 NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY
Finlay and Aidan were still lying face down on the ground showing no signs of life. Scarface was moving towards their friends, growing bigger with each step. His massive shadow following him was even more frightening. Cosmo, Arthur, and Sara were staring at Titiana. She was the princess, so she should be able to neutralize him. Albin tried in vain to break free of the tight straps.
Scarface slowly walked over to Titiana, an inordinate numbers of steps for the short distance between them. As if not only time but also space had become erratic. His shadow preceded his own movement and raised a hand towards her in a gesture of mock caress.
His hand penetrated its own shadow and was about to glide down Titiana’s cheek when the walls exploded, and light replenished the room. Ten or so determined-looking people rushed in, the ones the six companions had met by chance during their journey. Scarface succeeded in suppressing his surprise until he recognized the Duc among the new arrivals.
“You! Here! You let them in here. They would never have found this place otherwise. You’re the only one besides me who knows the layout. How dare you! Maybe you think you can overpower me. But you’re mistaken. The forces of evil forged me, and I alone know how to control them. You, they’ll destroy.”
“No. I don’t have any intention of consorting with them.”
The Duc remained impassive except for a hand behind his back that betrayed his nerves, jerking in the usual rhythm to his grimaces. For the moment, however, he appeared more in control of himself than Scarface.
“I don’t understand. You’re my conspirator.”
“No, that’s only what you believed. But enough with the chatter. Let’s get this over with.”
One by one, the people behind him held hands without once taking their eyes off Scarface, the Great Destroyer whom they needed to defeat. Immobile, he studied them. One by one. Nothing had yet happened, nothing emanated from them. For several more seconds, it was only a group of almost normal people who were confronting an occult power. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Barely noticeable in the beginning, the iridescent blue light that had opened the cage now radiated from their united hands. And then from their united presence. Scarface stood as still as the prisoners behind him. A new person came to his right-hand side and went to join the others. A small blond boy, growing older with each footstep of freedom, catching up on the years he’d missed while locked up in the time-shifting prison.
Suddenly, and perhaps a little inappropriately, Scarface smiled.
“You can do nothing against me. No matter how many you are, the entire population of Lalea could rise up against me. I am still more powerful than all of you. “
While he was speaking, Finlay began to wake up and started singing as he had before. Scarface’s forehead wrinkled, but it didn’t stop him from talking, postponing the inevitable. He had an entire population to exterminate, and that’s quite a lot.
Staring at him, cool and composed, no one bothered to answer him. Only Jules and Merlin weren’t emitting a glowing light. They observed what was happening without understanding any of it. The light grew stronger, expanding into every nook and cranny of the room and cutting Scarface’s shadow down to size. The light tentatively doubled up towards him while he made a pathetic attempt to look menacing.
Another voice spoke, sounding like it had come from both the deepest valleys and the highest peaks. Wise and serious as a counselor, familiar, calm and self-assured. The opposite of all that Scarface represented.
“Yes, Titiana, you can come out now. He even said it himself, ‘The princess always triumphs over evil.’ You’ve always had the power in you, and no one can stop it. It just ne
eded to be awakened. Listen to the voices, listen to their voices. They are your friends. They each make up a particle of who you are. You alone know how to unite and transform all these small forces into one even greater force. That’s your gift. Listen to them. And grow.”
She had kept her eyes closed during his discourse. When she opened them and stared straight at Scarface, the light flowing out of her, though dazzling, was nothing compared to the brightness of her eyes. He recoiled. The light, now a solid mass, was pummeling him.
Titiana stood up and the straps dropped to her feet. Scarface stumbled backwards and stopped against the wall of people. She said nothing. There was no need to. Scarface was cornered; the Great Destroyer was now nothing but a petty schemer. He turned around, trapped, with no longer any way of escaping. The light became warm, and everyone’s profiles melded into undulating brightness. The air’s atmosphere and gravity had reversed, and everyone had shifted and bumped in to each other. Looking below, Albin pointed out that they were slowly moving towards the ground. Like a downy feather, fluffy white, drifting downward. He was unprepared for the next shock.
Titiana held her hand out to Scarface, raising an arm where the veins shone with bolts of blue light. Albin found himself lying prone when Scarface grabbed the closest person to him, which happened to be Jules. He was taken aback at first, confused by the familiar-looking face, but then didn’t waste any time, thrusting Jules in front of him as his paltry human shield and said, “If you destroy me, you’ll also destroy him.” Titiana, an altruist at heart, hesitated, and Scarface beamed in anticipation of his future triumph. Yet her responsibilities extended far beyond the welfare of one stranger, so with a mix of regret and conviction, she made them both disappear in burst of light. No smoke, no special effects, just a flash, and they were no longer there.
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