by Lynn McCain
The screams became louder and louder. Henry had to stop and cover his ears the closer we got to them. I was simply unaffected. If anything, it excited me more. By the time we reached the outskirts of the sectors, Reficul’s castle was surrounded. Thousands of zombies waited for my command. No words needed to be exchanged. I simply willed them to wait for my order. I could see the brick walls before me; the walking dead surrounding them. Once before them, I raised my arms toward the heavens, lightning shot out of the end of my fingertips and exploded across the sky. The legion before me began to climb the walls like creatures of the dark. The scene before me was brutal. Thousands upon thousands creped over one another until all were within the castle walls. As I approached, the stone before me exploded with a thought, and Henry and I were able to walk through. Reficul shrieked louder still.
We were in a war, the battle truly fought in my mind. Whatever I thought or willed that is what the host before me did. Those that stood with Reficul were weak and lasted only a short time, even the Dark Winds were no match for our united front. When there is no fear of death, it is only then that one can truly live. Fear was replaced with rage and rage with an appetite for blood, the blood of our enemies, and with only that would we be satisfied.
Like ants devour their prey, the Arcadians began to envelope Reficul. The beast towered over them and breathed fire through his nostrils, yet nothing stopped them. Soon the dragon was covered entirely by the legion. His frame crashed to the ground, and his screams could be heard even in Eden, I suppose. Disgust filled me as I watched my zombie army begin to devour the flesh of the dragon like wild animals. Even so, I thirsted for his blood as well, blood that now dripped from the lips of those I once knew. Calev looked like a rabid beast, as he tore the flesh from Reficul’s bones.
In what seemed like only moments but could have lasted much longer, the beast finally stopped moving. A great silence fell upon the land. Only the sound of the wind could be heard whistling in what was left of the trees. The Arcadians began to descend the beast. One by one they made their way in to the space around the fallen creature. Once all were on the ground something strange began to happen. Something lifted off of them. I could see it, like smoke rising above the flames. Soon it was carried off by the winds, and the people, my people, began to come back to life. Their eyes were focused again. I watched as Shim and the others embraced once they had found each other.
Henry, still watching from behind, approached me timidly, as you would a wild beast. His hands, unsure, reached for mine. I let them wrap around my fingers, and we stood peering out over the people. Levona was the first to notice us, and she motioned for the others. They all raced toward me, picking me up in their arms, holding me high above their heads.
Shim yelled out, “I thought you were dead. I thought you were dead!”
“I did as well, Love,” I offered.
We all celebrated and embraced one another as a group. We had done it. It was over. The battle won. Reficul was dead, but now what? What was I supposed to do? What was I? Was I dead or alive, a ghost maybe? From the moment I had entered Arcadia I had been on a mission. Now, it was over. As the others continued celebrating, I receded away and found myself asking those questions.
Tizipporah silently made her way toward me. Her gaze was rich with appreciation.
“Thank you,” she mouthed. “I want you to know that we in Arcadia are ever indebted to you. Do you plan to stay with us or return to Eden?”
The words bounced around in my head, finding no ground to stand on. I thought I would no longer be alive, so the thought of going back to Eden had not crossed my mind. I just shrugged my shoulders not knowing how to respond.
“We will have a public hearing tonight. I will give everyone a chance to adjust, and then we must meet back here at dusk for you to translate the rest of the prophecy. I’m sure you will find your answer there.”
She smiled and patted my shoulder. “I know you will make the right choice, but no matter which you choose, just know that you will never be forgotten here in Arcadia.”
With that she turned and flew away. The world began to spin around me. I was overwhelmed. We had just defeated Reficul; his blood still seeped into the ground around us. Only a short while before Henry had killed me, but I was alive again. I was no longer the child that had entered their world. I was Lily, granddaughter of the great King Channon, savior to the people. Could I simply go back to being plain old Lily? I could not process it. It was then that Henry’s eyes meet mine. He could tell I was distraught and raced toward me just as I began to faint under the weight of it all. My limp body fell into his arms.
I awoke inside the castle. Its rooms had been torn apart but mostly it remained intact. I was actually inside the room with the great fireplace laid upon what was left of the sofa. Henry and the others stood by the window looking out over the destruction that lay before them. They whispered in hushed tones, not wanting to disturb me I thought. I pretended to still be asleep because I did not know what to say to them. I had not had time to even consider the decision I had to make; stay in Arcadia or go back to Eden. To what, I thought? What was left for me back in Eden? I wondered, had Grandfather come back to life as well?
It was then I heard Levona speak the words that sent chills down my spine.
“Her mother is alive.”
My mother, how, I thought? Apparently because she was not of Arcadian decent, her life was spared, but she was to be banished back to Eden, never to return. I was not sure at first how I felt about it, her being alive. Part of me was angry, the other part somewhat relieved. I could lie still no longer. I flew up off of the sofa.
“What did you say?” I yelled. “Is she alive?”
Levona turned to face the others not knowing if she should respond. Henry shifted toward me, but Calev rushed to my side wrapping his arms around me to comfort me. I cried uncontrollably into his chest, beating my hands against his back. I don’t know where it came from, but all the frustration from the last few weeks exploded out of me. I wasn’t sure if I was crying about Mother or about everything else that had happened, but I knew I could not stop it.
I felt every eye in the room upon me, especially Henry’s, but I did not care. I just let Calev hold me until I stopped crying and even after. I rested my head upon his tear soaked chest until I drifted off to sleep, and when I woke he was still there, stroking my hair. The smell of him reminded me of home, not a place like Eden, just home. Home like Grandfather’s pipe, Mother’s lavender, and Grandmother’s lilies. I pondered upon our night on the rock, how I had thought it would be the last time I would ever be in his embrace again. I thought of the first time I saw him. I remembered how afraid I was seeing his lifeless body on the floor after the soldiers attached. I remembered dancing with him inside Tizipporah’s mountain, his lips being at home upon mine, his hands covering my skin, his crooked smile. I remembered the warmth of his embrace in Shim’s dungeon, and I remembered watching him die, the blood spilling out of his body. I remembered that after everything that had happened, I still loved him. I loved him like crazy.
I suddenly felt exposed like everyone could read my thoughts and became uncomfortable, but I soon realized we were alone.
“Calev,” I started.
“You don’t have to say anything,” he began.
I really didn’t know what to say, but I did have to say something. I felt like two different people being drawn in opposite directions. One pull was toward Henry, the other Calev, opposite sides of the universe, but lying there in Calev’s arms felt so natural, like I had been doing it for hundreds of years.
“Calev, I’m not sure what to feel. I thought I was dying and now Tizipporah says I might go back to Eden, and Henry.”
He interrupted me, “Lily, I have been trying, but I don’t know how to stop thinking about you, how to stop wanting to place my lips upon yours and taste your skin. I know I have Levona, and you Henry, but you are the first thing I think about when my eyes open and the last t
hing I see before I sleep. I have spent my entire life searching for you, literally, and it seems my quest continues. I don’t know how to stop loving you.”
I knew what we had shared was real, but I was not prepared for that. My mind raced with a million thoughts, thoughts mostly of Henry, of Levona. My fingers ran softly upon his lips, outlining them with the tips. Calev leaned over and softly kissed my forehead passionately making his way to my cheek. Each time his lips left my skin the weight of them remained, forever impressed upon me. My heart felt like it would beat right out of my chest. Not again, I thought, but he did not stop there. He slowly pulled back from me and flashed his crooked smile, abolishing any will I had left in me, our lips collided. Flesh upon flesh, sweetly and softly his lips embraced mine. In my mind I was screaming in confusion, but my body enjoyed every second.
The moment lasted only for a short time before we were interrupted by someone clearing their throat as they entered the room. It was Maleke. Calev and I both jumped to our feet and ran into his arms. He embraced both of us, picking us up and spinning us around. I don’t think I had ever been so happy in my entire life.
“Your arms,” I squealed.
“Better than before,” he bragged as he made a muscle.
We all were laughing when Henry entered the room. My heart sunk. Calev and I both eyed each other. Henry came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me.
“Feeling better?” he questioned, as he kissed the back of my head.
Maleke looked on in confusion as his eyes made their way from mine to Calev’s. We both tried to ignore it, but Calev knew he had to get Maleke out of the room before he opened his big mouth.
Guilt engulfed me as in flames and then anger at the fact that I felt guilty. I loved Henry and yes, when I thought I was dying, forgiving him was much easier, but now when I looked at him, I still felt angry. The fact remained he had killed Grandfather, lied to me from the moment he met me, chained me to a truck, and practically handed me over to Reficul. Although I knew he did love me and was sorry for all he had done, I could not help but hating him at that moment. Hating him because in spite of all he had done I still loved him; I still wanted him. Hating him because I kissed Calev and did not want to feel bad about it, hating him because I knew that no matter what decision I made that night someone was going to get hurt, and I knew that someone was me.
He could tell I was angry, but I did not have to explain because only seconds later the rest of the group entered the room. I watched Calev’s eyes focus on Henry’s arm around me when he entered with Maleke. I thought once I was sacrificed this would all be over, everything made right. Instead, life went on, and although I had saved Arcadia, I myself felt like I needed saving as well.
Dusk was quickly approaching, and the people had already begun to gather for the reading of the prophecy. Tizipporah found me before she approached the crowd.
“I’m truly sorry, Lily, but your mother will be tried tonight before the people. You might not like what you here. Your father also, he will be appointed back as rightful ruler of the kingdom and be crowned King of Arcadia. And you, well I’m not sure what the prophecy will say, but I want you to be ready for anything, and I need you to understand, we will back whatever it says.”
It almost sounded like a threat; we will back whatever it says. I began to wonder what it might say. Would it require me to die once more? I tried to imagine something, anything worse than death. My next thought hit me like a barrel of rocks. I might lose Henry and Calev. My heart began to race, and I became light on my feet. Would it require me to leave them? I felt my heart sever right down the middle; one side belonging to Henry and the other to Calev.
Tizipporah began by congratulating the Arcadians, promising them that their future was bright. She spoke of freedom from the bondage that they had endured for so many years. I watched as families that had been separated by the sectors now stood united, embracing one another, and my heart smiled. From the terrace I could see Calev and Henry standing below in the midst of the crowd. Levona stood between them, her head rested upon Calev’s chest. I shuttered.
Mother was tried as a traitor and banned from ever returning to Arcadia again. She stood firm watching from the side. Her expression never faltered, cold as ice, as she glared toward my father. Part of me still hoped she would turn and smile at me, like she used to. Part of me wanted to run and wrap my arms around her, but the woman who stood before me was no longer my mother. I’m not sure if she ever was.
The crowd below applauded, as Father approached the podium. Their prince had returned. He promised to restore Arcadia back to her former glory. After an eloquent speech, he turned toward me and requested I stand beside him. I robotically stood to my feet. Each step in his direction was painful, like I was headed to my own execution. Once I reached his side, he pulled me into his arms.
“It is time to find your destiny,” he whispered.
My destiny, I questioned myself. It was back to that. As I turned to face the crowd beneath me, they cheered so loudly I could hardly hear anything. I had almost forgotten, to the people, I was their savior. I ran my fingers across the face of the book. The emblem on the cover again came to life. Three snakes entangled around each other slithered underneath my fingertips. Just as I began to pull away, one released and bit down on my finger. Jerking my hand back, I turned to Tizipporah. Her face twisted with fear, or maybe it was just confusion.
Two small drops of blood began forming upon my flesh. I continued my quest into the book, turning to the back pages. My ears rang with each pound of my chest, and sweat formed in droplets on my skin. I came to the page portraying the sacrifice. My life, my future was only a page away. I hesitated. How could I turn the page? Did I really want to know? I wanted to just sit there forever in that moment. Not that it was a good one but simply because I was tired of choosing. Actually, I was tired of the choice being made for me. I froze, peering out over the crowd I found Calev. His eyes burned through mine. Henry stood smiling. I could not breathe. Just then, I felt a hand slip into mine. It was Shim. He had made his way through the crowd and up to the terrace. His tiny fingers wrapped around mine. I looked down and saw in his face the courage I needed to continue. I swallowed hard and turned the page. My eyes remained shut. With a nudge from Shim, I hesitantly opened them. Bless his dear soul. His tiny stature forbad him from seeing, for the book rested high upon the podium. I stood amazed at what I saw before me. Shim’s eyes searched for meaning in my expression. Tizipporah gasped as she confusingly approached. The page was blank. Only streaks of red from the blood on my finger decorated its surface.
I glanced toward Tizipporah. She smiled and gracefully walked toward the podium. I knew she had no explanation, but as she began to address the crowd, words started to appear on the pages before us. My limbs began to shake as each of the letters revealed themselves to us. I-t…i-s…f-i-n-i-s-h-e-d. That was it. What did it even mean?
Tizipporah turned to Father and smiled, “It appears Lily is free to choose her own destiny.”
She turned and placed her hand in mine.
“Your future awaits, dear.”
She raised my hand in the air and the crowd beneath us began to cheer.
I quickly released and headed off the terrace. Once inside, I ran to the nearest room and slammed the door. I could still hear the screams of the crowd below. My body shook all over, as my eyes flooded with tears. Hearing a knock on the door, I hid my face in the pillows. It was Shim. He let himself in and raced to my side. His embrace soon calmed me. I was unsure really why I was so upset. I finally could make my own choices, so why did it bother me so? Honestly, at that moment, it would have been easier for the book to have told me what to do, for I had no idea what I would choose.
About that time, Tizipporah entered the room with the book in her hands.
“Please excuse us, Shim,” she began.
After squeezing my hand, he backed out of the room, his eyes burned toward Tizipporah. She thrust the book into
my lap.
“More words appeared when you left, Lily. I need you to translate them.”
I could tell she was displeased with my last reading. She thirsted for more answers.
As I opened the book, I questioned, “Why do you suppose the snakes bit me before?”
Her eyes revealed worry as she answered, “I’m afraid I don’t know, but I don’t like it. It appears the book is warning us of something.”
“Maybe it does not want me to read anymore,” I suggested.
“You will read it,” she demanded, a little too sternly.
I reluctantly opened its weathered pages. The page I had read on the terrace was now filled with writings. Before reading though, I flipped through the remainder of the pages. They too were filled, except I could not understand the writings. I was unable to translate the new script. Tizipporah’s eyes filled with worry.
“Just read what you can,” she sighed, this time a little less demanding.
My fingers shook as I tried to follow along:
She must return to her place, for Eden is her saving grace.
If she stays she’ll never age, her future stop on this page.
She will return, this I bestow, but neither the day nor hour, no man knows.
Before the sun sets on the third day, in Eden her head must lay.
The blood coursed through my veins. I had to leave Arcadia. Thoughts of Henry and Calev filled my mind, of Shim and the others. What did it mean I would return? I released my grip on the book, letting it crash on the ground. Tizipporah had no words. She sat with her face in her hands.
Something erupted out of me, “I thought it was finished! I did everything you ask of me! What now? I go back, back to what? Everyone is dead! My mother is evil!”