Magic and Mayhem: A Collection of 21 Fantasy Novels

by Jasmine Walt

  “I went to the same school as you, remember?”

  He winces on the floor. “Ah! How can I forget? Twice in two minutes. Does that make you feel better?”

  “The fight is not over.”

  He nods and, much to her satisfaction, clutches his side in pain. He picks himself up and walks toward her with measured steps. “This is just the beginning.”

  “And I’m going to win!”

  He holds out his hand. “Shall we shake?”

  After brushing past him, Tiina goes through to the main deck and slips into her seat. “Now that we are over the initial pleasantries, can we get on with the business of piloting this craft?”

  “Arkana it is.” Yudi puts them on course for their destination.

  2

  As they approach Arkana, Tiina’s excitement rises. The thrill of a journey and the anticipation of arriving at a new destination is something that she still loves. She hopes she will always feel this way, no matter how old she gets.

  The planet comes up on the main screen. The circular land mass in the centre—the island-city called Arkana after the planet’s name—is a distinctive purple surrounded by water of pale green. Its atmosphere is similar to Earth, one of the reasons the half human, half alien race thrives here. Yet the higher concentration of silica in its soil and water is enough to completely change the appearance of the planet from space.

  Yudi sets about securing the ship with fast and much-practised movements. His familiar routine soothes her. So riveted is she that when he has completed his task, Tiina blushes when he walks to her. He wipes his hands on a piece of cloth, which he stuffs into the back pocket of his spacesuit.

  “Enjoy the show?” He continues past her, toward the entrance of the docking station.

  Enormous grey walls rise around them, towering over the ship. Windows of multicoloured glass glimmer in the later afternoon sunlight.

  Angry at being caught looking this time, Tiina admonishes herself at showing any outward sign of weakness and she pulls herself together. Yudi leads the way along a corridor, which has a massive wall of glass on one side, showing the vista of the city below. Ahead, the corridor opens off into rooms, each of a different colour, and they all echo a different theme.

  Tiina does a rough count of the doors and notes there are probably more than twenty such rooms. The entrance to each is made of glass. It is not unlike being in an aquarium.

  Soon curiosity gets the better of her and she can’t resist peering inside each of the rooms she passes. Unable to get her fill of the occupiers of the rooms while running to keep up with Yudi, she comes to a standstill.

  They are in the newly built fourth wing of the Academy of Half Lives, which was on the verge of completion when she was at Arkana. It is set apart from the original four-storey building and has three wings. Classes are held in the first wing, with the armoury in the basement. The second wing houses the dormitories for the students. The third has the residences for Mimir and the professors who teach at the Academy, as well as its various administrative staff. This, the fourth wing, houses Mimir’s Ark.

  The Academy crouches on top of a small hill. If she peers to her left she can just make out the Temple of Arkana on another hill slightly taller than the one the Academy is situated on. Just below the hill, like a garland around the Academy, is the slim Arkana River, a body of water not more than half a mile at its broadest point, which flows through the city, separating the Academy from the main city of Arkana.

  Beyond the river are rows of tall towers. Each is about one hundred floors tall, with most doubling up as both official and residential blocks for the citizens. A few of them are even taller, and come to the height of the Temple of Arkana. Commuter spaceships ply the airways between the two hills.

  The buildings housing the Academy are unique on Arkana, and are the only ones on the planet built in the classic Georgian style. Such buildings resonate with the architecture so favoured by the English-speaking countries on Earth in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

  “Slow down, Yudi. While I am in pretty good shape, you forget that your legs are much longer than mine.” Tiina is determined to make him adjust to her pace.

  Far ahead of her, he slows down so that she is able to catch up. She steals a glance inside various rooms as she strides toward him. Two nubile angelic beings from Jupiter who resemble beautiful human females, but with large dove-like wings on their back, flutter around the room; a pair of multi-hoofed horses from Ka Surya trot through fields in the next room; a transparent spirit wafts through the next chamber from the multi-dimensional planet of Mars; a trio of beautiful mermaids from Venus swim through a gigantic water tank in the next.

  As they pass one of the rooms, Yudi waves out to and is acknowledged by the kangaroo-like marsupials inside, who jump around, engaged in a game of mind dice. The cubes they are playing with float between them.

  Tiina glances at him.“Your friends?”

  He shrugs. “We shared an adventure.”

  “Aren’t they from Neptune?”

  “Yes.”

  “And they are happy to be kept here in a cell?”

  “They are rooms, not cells!”

  “Are they happy to be trapped in a small enclosure? Would they rather not be out in the open?”

  “Shaitan destroyed their planet. These were the only survivors and were more than happy to come to Arkana. We recreated the best conditions within that space so they could live there. Guess it works for them.”

  Then he adds in a conciliatory tone, “They need a very specific breathing mixture and did not object to being in that room. On the contrary, they all seem to be thriving.”

  “So they are the last of an endangered species?”

  “I just told you that.”

  “I am amazed at how quickly this wing has filled up.” She peers into another chamber.

  “Mimir was insistent that we complete it in record time to accommodate all of them.”

  Something very familiar inside one of the rooms brings her to a halt. She gives a cry of pleasure on seeing the familiar scenery of Java. The setting is complete, as if she painted it herself. Java’s characteristic large orange flowers bloom; the golden beach where she spent many afternoons lazing by the shores glistens in the golden sunlight. Giant bees buzz around the flowers. The paddy fields that made Java the granary of the universe are in the distance, and in them, the traditionally dressed Javanese rice harvesters. One even looks up and waves to her.

  “What is this?”

  “Don’t you get it yet?”

  “It’s not what I think it is, is it?”

  He nods.

  “So each room reflects a different lost culture of the universe?”

  A sad smile crosses Yudi’s lips. “The galaxy under one roof. Shaitan’s violence does not spare much. These are the remnants.”

  “Ah, so these are the extinct. Is this Arkana’s version of a rogue’s gallery?”

  “More like Mimir’s Ark. Remnants of lost planets.”

  “And is that how he sees us? Specimens?”

  “I hope not. I see Mimir’s summons as a chance to erase everything and rewrite our future.”

  “You’ll have to change the past to do that.” She baits him.

  “The two of you are still engaged in idle chatter, I see!”

  They turn to face the figure walking toward them.

  Her heart alights at seeing him again. “Mimir!”

  Mimir approaches them with a curiously floating gait, white robes fluttering behind him, eyes crinkling as he smiles. His white beard is much longer than Tiina remembers. There are definitely more wrinkles on his face as well.

  An old, much-remembered feeling of sparkling power radiates from him and flows over her as she walks toward him. The hairs on her forearms rise, and a shiver of recognition runs through her. Complete surrender to the ultimate source of power floods her, bringing tears to her eyes. She has forgotten how truly overwhelming it is to be in his presen
ce.

  “Welcome back, Tiina.” While continuing to gaze at her with his peculiar, piercing eyes, he raises his arms. Turning to Yudi, Mimir says, “I am pleased you found her.”

  “Did you doubt it?”

  “I was sure you would reach her, but females are the toughest to win over, as I hope you have learnt by now. Seeing the two of you together so soon is much beyond what I expected you to achieve.”

  Tiina’s tone is grim as she recalls how he sneakily convinced her to come to Arkana. “We managed to arrive at an understanding…of sorts.”

  “You could say that.”

  “The first of many lessons to come on this journey,” says Mimir.

  “All this and save the world, too?” It is easy to lapse into the familiar banter with Mimir. I have missed him…and Arkana. I missed this place; why, I even missed Yudi.

  “First, save yourself.”

  “Mimir, as usual you are full of interesting facts.”

  He chuckles. “I am allowed to indulge in mysteries.”

  “Isn’t that a feminine prerogative?”

  He shakes his head. “We can talk later, Tiina. Right now, it’s time for you, Rai, and Yudi, to start your mission. We have already lost much time. Shaitan’s power has grown since he stole the Isthmus. If you do not act fast, he will become unstoppable.”

  This time, Tiina asks the question she held back the first time Mimir called them to take up the mission to find the Isthmus. She tries to overcome a strange superstition she has of not voicing her fears. It’s okay; just because I say it doesn’t mean it is going to come true.

  “And if we don’t succeed…?” Nervousness echoes in her voice and she berates herself for showing Yudi any sign of weakness.

  “Then…” says Mimir.

  “Then…?”

  “If this is not done, then others will meet the same fate as your home planet, Ka Surya.”

  Blood drains from Tiina’s cheeks. “Destiny repeats itself.” I knew I should have not asked.

  “And the wheel keeps turning ’til you isolate the evil and take it out once and for all.”

  “Why choose us when there are others more powerful, who could do this with less effort?”

  “So you still don’t believe that it has to be the three of you?”

  Tiina blushes at being called out. It isn’t so much going on the mission as much as being on it with Yudi which disturbs her. She does not relish being in such close quarters with him for any extended period of time, and prays her true feelings do not show on her face. “You set too much confidence in us, Mimir.”

  “You have more than you know to help you along; you have each other.” Mimir puts an arm around their shoulders and walks them to the large window overlooking the city. “The two of you with Rai in the same place at the same time, and with true intent, is really powerful.”

  “Alchemy to neutralise?” comments Tiina.

  “A tune that revives?” retorts Yudi.

  She frowns, wondering if Yudi is making fun of her with his attempt to rhyme with her sentence. You think you are funny, don’t you? Just you wait. At the first opportunity she has, she’ll get him back.

  Mild frustration pinches Mimir’s lips.

  “Sorry…sorry, just couldn’t resist that one.”

  “Okay, we are each unique. I’ll give you that. And together we are a strong combination. We thrive off each other,” concedes Tiina.

  “Real purpose,” says the older man. “Together you have unadulterated power.”

  “But is that enough to overcome evil as strong as Shaitan?”

  “It will not be easy.” He pauses. “You will be tested, and there will be casualties.”

  “But Mimir, you have the power. If you look for the Isthmus, you would find it like that!” Yudi snaps his fingers.

  “If only it were that simple. I can guide, but this is your destiny, not mine.”

  Another question is on Tiina’s lips when Mimir interrupts her. “Let’s find Rai, shall we? There will be more time for questions later, I promise.” He motions for them to follow.

  The seemingly never-ending corridor slopes gently upward and then abruptly turns to the right. Before them is a space overlooking an open-air arena, and right in the centre is an old-fashioned boxing ring.

  After they step into a viewing gallery, it disengages from the main structure and floats over the circular arena until they are in a prime position for a ringside view of the action. The figures in the centre of the ring carry on, not disturbed in the least by their new audience.

  A familiar profile catches Tiina’s eye. “Rai! What is he doing here?”

  Rai’s engaged in a strange game, pitting his mental powers against a striking being. The figure facing Rai is half man, half lion. His face and torso are a lion tapering to a narrow, sexy waist, with the strong legs of an athlete clad in black shorts made of a stretchy material, but with a powerful lion’s tail swishing back and forth.

  The two gaze at each other across the length of the boxing ring, the surface of which is clear enough to reflect back their images as if a frozen lake. Given the dimensions of the figures and the force of their actions, it has to be something a little stronger than ice to hold the weight of Rai and Lion Man—a surface tough enough to withstand their actions.

  The area between the two figures suddenly erupts. It is as if they grew tired of the mental game, and Rai and Lion Man explode into the physical plane. They pull out their swords and fling the weapons at each other. The swords clash and a blinding light flares out so intensely that she can feel heat and almost hear the static.

  Tiina puts up a hand against its brilliance. The sheer power from the conflict is such that she almost blacks out. A feeling of déjà vu whips through her mind, but is unable to comprehend or catch up with the memories triggered by the explosion.

  Rai and Lion Man engage in fierce warfare, each of them charging the other from opposite ends of the field. Both have moved onto riding metallic beasts, which are as translucent as the surface of the boxing ring. The sunset in the background, with its red and gold, frames the figures. The sunshine bounces off the metallic animals and creates a rainbow.

  The two figures close the distance, and when they are within inches of each other, the animals they are riding melt away. Then it is just the two of them on their feet. They rush toward each other and lock in a death grip. The tussle continues for a few evenly matched seconds. When it seems that neither of them will give way, Lion Man morphs into a complete lion and catches Rai by the neck. The lion shakes him once, as if he were a rag doll, before dropping him to the ground.

  It is an illusion, yet Tiina is relieved that her friend has been spared. The lion walks toward them and as it approaches, a low growl rolls in its throat. She takes an involuntary step back, inching away from the lion and closer to Yudi. Then the lion freezes, and the growl is replaced by a low purring as its eyes suddenly melt with warmth.

  Why, the lion likes Yudi. She darts a glance up at his face.

  Yudi’s expression is inscrutable as he stares back at the lion before furrowing his brow in confusion. The illusion breaks, the lion fades, and Tiina expels a breath she did not know she was holding.

  Rai gets to his feet, dusts himself off, and walks over, limping a little, a sheepish look on his face.

  Mimir turns to him with a steady, piercing gaze. “You need to listen to your intuition. Anticipate.”

  “Sure thought I was doing just that.”

  “Trust. Leap and you shall be caught.”

  “How do you do that?” she asks.

  “Do what?”

  “You always manage to look good every time I see you.”

  If anything, he looks younger, fitter. Rai’s five-foot-ten frame is clad in a brown neoprene suit. The stretchy material of the jumpsuit defines his filled-out muscles in a way she does not remember. Straight black hair cut short clings to the shape of his scalp, lending a hard edge to his triangular face with its narrow forehead, p
ointed jaw line, and wide cheekbones. His stark profile is relieved by the soft grey eyes twinkling down at her.

  He looks happy, far from the young uncertain boy who had arrived at Arkana more than a year ago dazed from the teleporting.

  Rai laughs. “Hey, you look good, too, Tiina.”

  She gestures to the scene behind him. “So was that really an illusion? You could have fooled me. It felt very real. Why, I swear I could feel the lion’s excitement at spotting Yudi.”

  “You mean Lion Man?” replies Rai, then without waiting for her answer, continues, “If you mean the creature I fought with? Then yes, it was an illusion, too.”

  “He is not real?”

  Mimir corrects her. “No. He does exist. Simh—the lion man, the one who taught me the skills of the fight.”

  “So that was an illusion?”

  “No, he was there,” says Rai at last. “Only in spirit, though. What you saw was a fabulous illusion, which simulates the real impact of your opponent, and it’s potent, because it taps into the strength of the person or thing you’re battling. So you are right there in the moment, caught up in the fight.”

  Overwhelmed by the changes made to the Academy in such a short time, Tiina feels a little lightheaded and glances around. “When did all this happen; how was all this built?”

  “After you left…uh!” Rai clears his throat, looking from Tiina to Yudi. “Well, after you left, Yudi and I were set to go our separate ways as well.”

  Yudi completes his sentence. “But Mimir held us back.”

  “We didn’t want to stay, but Mimir convinced us to complete what we had started.”

  “Trust Mimir to discipline both of you.”

  “He was…most persistent.” Rai grins.

  They are silhouetted against the glass wall, beyond which lies the city. It is a moment in time that will stay forever burnt in her mind’s eye. Perhaps this will be remembered by those who come after us, a story to be passed down generations. Despite being barely a few months past her seventeenth birthday, Tiina feels as if she has already lived a lifetime.