The Time Stone

by Jeffrey Estrella

  “Good thing those things couldn’t follow us or wouldn’t” said James.

  “Yeah, that was freaky how he just flipped on us and called his buddies.” Said Mercedes. “What do you suppose really happened to the adults here and why did Jose disappear like that?” Asked Tina.

  “Beats me, but I’ll be glad when we leave this place of craziness.” Said Mercedes.

  “It seems the disaster James foresaw in the past, the eruption that caused the great conflict was somehow limiting. The radiation that spread after the flashpoint could have affected only adults. Those under certain ages weren’t affected.” Said Drax.

  “How is that possible?” Asked Tina. “If anything the kids would have suffered more.”

  “It could be their immune system” said Mercedes.

  “It’s perplexing but the only possible explanation. As for Jose… well it seems…” Drax stopped interrupted as he saw a young boy approach them near the spot they saw him the first time as they walked away from the obelisk.

  “Oh my God” said Tina.

  “Hey little buddy” said Mercedes, “where did you go?”

  “Hello. I am Jose” he said smiling.

  “Yeah we know. Don’t you remember us?” Said Drax.

  “We never met before.” Jose replied.

  The five stood in shock.

  “That bloody can’t be” said Cutlass.

  “You arrived from the sky?” He asked.

  “Yeah, we got to go.” Said Drax and they walked away. “Why doesn’t he remember us?” Asked Drax to himself.

  “Maybe when he vanished it was something to do with the time thing…” said James.

  “Like a reverberating wave and temporal loop that changes the rules of causality to affect the past from the future.” Said Drax. “He vanished as did everyone in the forbidden zone destined to repeat the same events over and over again. They were doing it since the great conflict centuries ago.”

  “Why do we remember him? “Asked Mercedes.

  “We might be protected because of our proximity to the time stone. I don’t really have an answer for this.” Said Drax.

  “This whole thing was some grand design, a higher power at work.” Said Mercedes.

  “It may be our destiny.” Said Tina looking at James and whispering to him, “could this be the Atlantis of legend, a land lost in time and risen from the waves in this future?”

  “Maybe, anything is possible” said James.

  “One thing is certain, we didn’t ask to be involved but we got involved by the grace of God and we acted interfering here and setting things in motion so we can’t turn back now.” Said Drax.

  “We have accomplished the impossible” said Mercedes.

  “Nothing is impossible in time” reminded James.

  “We have to continue” said Tina.

  “Indeed” said Drax. They approached the Scorpion car waiting right where they left it.

  CHAPTER 75

  The darkness became the air over the citadel in the center of the city. The redness of the clouds combined with the black ashen skies to resemble a pool of blood pouring from a scab. Thunder echoed in the distance as lightning visage the horrifying windowless monstrosity that stretched across the fields below hovering over it like as leviathan. Within the central chamber rested a group arming themselves and preparing themselves for the ultimate apocalypse that is pending to bestow itself onto the streets below.

  “That could take us to another place” said General Stormy to his subordinate a man with glasses and a crew cut dressed in the dark grey uniform of the Contingent Elite Command. General Stormy’s was well adorned, decorated, and covered with metallic armor and underpinnings over his gear greater than his subordinate was.

  “Per the Legend, Sir?” Said the man with glasses.

  “Corporal Walton. I know it sounds crazy but the legend is real. The Dark Star is a legendary sword, a weapon that has the powers of the ancients, a device of energy blast capabilities lost in time. It is of true allegedly ultimate power.”

  “I have sensed it, something I have not felt in a very, very long time” said a voice coming out of the darkness. A shadowy figure emerges before the two soldiers.

  “I sense the weapon is active again. It must be stopped. Or all our hopes are lost.”

  “Yes my liege” said General Stormy as he averted his eyes trying to make out the face of the mystery figure but cannot. The man’s face is dark and hidden, as if made of pure darkness and shadow.

  “Ready the armies” said General Stormy and Corporal Walton whistled summoning forth a legion of troops ready for conquest, for battle, for victory. They were beasts, standing upright, grey skin, snouts, roaring vocals, tall fangs protruding from their mouths, saliva drooling down, pointed ears, long silky flowing brown-grey hair down their spines, rippling bodies and arms like bodybuilders, and they held long scythes with an end point that was spiked like a star lighting up with hot white light ready to send multiple energy projectiles to any forthcoming adversaries. The winged vampire-like beasts prepared as they were standing in legion for the ultimate battle conquest. Small ocular lenses adorned their headgear made of iron. A glistening orb rested in the center of their torsos lit up hot white and red.

  “The time of ultimate redemption is at hand!” This said the shadow to the legion of thousands of beast armies within the chamber and on the field below pouring out before the citadel to the streets of town.

  CHAPTER 76

  On board the Gorge Hunter, the five were back adrift on the seas glad to be leaving the island. Cutlass stood on the mast and barked orders to his crew as they made their way back to the mainland.

  “What a quest?” Thought James overlooking the crashing waves on the bow of the ship.

  “I still don’t get how we remember those kids like Jose but they don’t remember us. Time looping is serious business.”

  “Well, best way I know how to look at is … don’t” said Drax.

  “You will just drive yourself crazy.”

  “Yeah” said Mercedes. “We can’t be complete harbingers of all strange things we encounter.”

  “Speak for yourself” said Tina laughingly.

  “The ROBP beings in the obelisk were also part of the loop just like the kids. Their destined to revisit the disaster over and over again with no apparent end in sight, never being able to move forward, and never recognizing their dilemma, truly a forbidden land that time never forgot.” Mercedes said.

  “Yeah” said Tina as the four grieved in silence for a moment. “So we go the Dark Star. That is an awesome victory.” Tina continued. “What we do now is get it back to those who could use it to save their world from annihilation. We did a good thing.”

  “Yeah, we could inadvertently shift the balance of power in the world.” Said Drax. “Is that the right thing to do ethically?”

  “Well, hell yeah” said Tina.

  “We can’t let people be slaughtered like animals. Genocide is wrong no matter who does it.” Mercedes said.

  “Exactly my point” said Drax.

  They stood in sudden silence.

  “Defenses Up!” Yelled Cutlass from his post high in the masthead.

  “What the heck?” Yelled James.

  “There is another ship approaching, the battle legions,” said Yulelka running up the deck alarming the gunners who were preparing their cannons for launch. She yelled up “the projectiles are armed, Captain and the defenses are raised” as the metallic hatches of the side of the ship flared up like wings of an eagle. The Gorge Hunter rounded about and approached its nemesis like a demon flaring after its adversary in battle. The battle legions’ ship approached like a stingray above water hovering rapidly near death.

  “Fire!!!” Yelled Cutlass waving his new replacement sword. “The winds are on our backs and time and fate are on our sides!” The Gorge Hunter repaired and ready after its last confrontation was like a glider along the ocean towards the battle legions ship and the t
wo armed furiously fired their energy weapons simultaneously striking one another, the orange shields of light on the battle legions ship glistened as the Gorge Hunter suffered casualties to its hull and crew as people were prepared and flung themselves and their items in midair upward and out into their watery graves.

  “James we got to do something” said Tina.

  “We should try the time stone again” said Drax.

  “Maybe the dark star can help.” Said Tina. She held the object and focused it outward but nothing happened.

  “Let me see” said James. He grabbed and held out the black piece of metal glistening in the sun strangely and curiously as if not of this world, upon James’ focus, the sword emitted a powerful spiking immensely hot white beam of energy and he projected it towards the battle legions’ ship sending the energy beam towards it and piercing the orange shield of energy and neutralizing it and causing the beam to tear apart the very fabric of the hull and crew vaporizing it in an instant as the Gorge Hunter passed through the spot where the battle legion ship stood on the open waters, and the Gorge Hunter continuing on its way full speed ahead towards mainland. “Yes” yelled Cutlass.

  “Yeah” yelled the four as they pumped their fists in the air and cheered on the happy crew in the successful testing of their new weapon.

  “It is truly invincible” said James as the Gorge Hunter slid across the water like a figure skater as it made its way towards its destination, the mainland of Chronix Bay. “Indestructible.”

  “What happened?” Asked Tina. “I thought our Scorpion car could do the same thing.”

  “It is not as strong a frequency.” Replied Drax. “The Dark Star was truly the innovation of an advanced civilization. James’ hand didn’t even burn off. I think it’s somehow connected to the holder power as James was able to use it and you weren’t so maybe they created it for him meaning he was destined to find it.”

  “That is truly bizarre” added Tina.

  “You’re telling me” said Drax.

  “Just glad we were able to be successful here” said Mercedes.

  “Yes for now” cautioned James.

  “The armies are fast approaching from the north.” Screamed Alana as she led a group out of the encampment. “We have to lay low to take them by surprise. It may not be our best strategy and it’s a long shot but it’s all we got.”

  “What about the travelers we sent out to find the weapon?” Said one of the troops, dressed in a long armor and weapon attachments.

  “It’s been a week and we haven’t heard back. I think it’s safe to say they failed. We have to do what we have to do to survive.” She replied back. “Get the barrier guard ready.” She barked orders as the men started around a wooden cart with several catapults and cannons of energy waiting for fueling. They prepared to take action to fire them when ordered. Daryl and his party came out armed and ready with their laser rifles and flash grenades ready for the onslaught.

  “We received word on the intercom that another URO army is heading out way from the south” he yelled walking fast.

  “Great, the Oligarch must feel lucky today.” She responded. “Too bad our jumper friends couldn’t find the dark star.”

  “I guess it’s left to the stuff of legends” said Daryl jokingly then looking up as a blur of light flashed on the horizon and a single jet stream approached. “What’s that?” Asked Daryl. The lights began to decelerate and appear as a red vehicle hovering in midair with its front joints expanded and scorpion-like tail soaring high made of silver and lit up like an ornamental rocket, but resembling a scorpion.

  “Oh my God” screamed Alana as she recognize the occupants. “It’s them. They have returned.”

  “Great Caesars Ghost” screamed Daryl as he and his men ran over to the field where the vehicle was slowly landing. “You made it” he yelled.

  “We made it” yelled James hopping out as the car struck the dark terrain.

  “And we got the dark star” said Tina as they all piled out of the car.

  “Amazing” said Alana as her eyes lit up.

  “No sweat” said Tina.

  “Just in time… look” Alana pointed as they saw an immense fighting force approaching over the hillside near the citadel. The stretching for miles of a line of beasts armored and suited ready for bloodlust and carnage. They roared and marched forth waving their scythes in midair as the citadel loomed overhead beckoning their call and stride. The balcony below the main pinnacle at the apex of the citadel beheld three figures who stood overlooking the destruction about to unfold in proud achievement, three figureheads ruling the Oligarchy Brigade Guardians from the view of the public, each with their traditional religious headgear, garbs, and outfits embodying the main focus of a series of ancient orders knowing they were protected from harm by their invincible energy barriers. They turned to one another and smiled as they looked forward then and held their right hands up each with a relic of historical melancholy in their sacred orders.

  With that General Stormy gave the word to his Lieutenants who commanded the front lines with pride, “today we strike to take back our lands and our hopes in the name of the powers that our forefathers gave their lives for. Today we strike a blow against the rebel forces once and for all and annihilate the last visages of intolerance to our way of life. Ready the Scythes!” The roar from the crowd of beasts emanated into the air to be heard from miles away in the rebel encampment. The groups of villagers and poor farmers were prepared with their amateur gear and weapons, swords from plowshares, and iron-clad laser rifles.

  “We are prepared to die today but we will fight to our last breathes” said Daryl proudly.

  “We got our people ready to hold down the ground forces.” Said Alana, “but we could use some help from above.”

  “That is why we are here. Let’s do this.” Said Drax. With that they smiled to one another and the four entered their vehicle and flew off into the night. The old priest stood nearby and smiled, “may God be on their foot heels.” Alana and Daryl looked at one another with a more reassured sense of confidence as their hopes were increased by their renewed assistance. They held hands as they marched forward, beckoning to their own lieutenants to prepare their respective groups for the move forward.

  “Fire on our mark” she yelled as they moved on. The two armies of man versus beast marched toward one another appearing to meet halfway down the line of scrimmage in the midst of an empty dark terrain. They marched for yards when suddenly General Stormy acknowledged to his men “like the days of old, we run when we smell fresh blood” he opened his mouth revealing a pair of sharp fangs and wide bloodshot red eyes menacing as with his comrades who appeared like men but had the bloodline and hunger of the beasts they commanded. “Run when you see the white of their eyes men” said Daryl. With that the small armies of farmers and peasants began to run towards their foe with rage and anger in their eyes and fury in their hearts. The beast armies ran forth waging their scythes in midair. The rebels fired their laser rifles as they ran striking their foes. Many of the beasts threw their scythes and a few struck their prey in the chests impaling them to the ground. Other beasts approached and fired energy pellets from their tripod scythe blasters. The remaining quarries ran forth one another and struck their targets with all the frustration of their minds and emotions.

  CHAPTER 77

  Above the epic battle that ensued below, the scorpion car began its ascent towards the citadel. It rose through the clouds of smoke in the reddish black skies like a leviathan seeping out of a large ocean, emerging forward and up with the a renewed sense of power as the underbelly and surroundings lit up intensifying. It’s four inhabitants were steadfast and courageous as they prepared for their moment of truth as they approached the citadel.

  “Ready to fire the dark star weapon, James?” Asked Tina.

  “Ready as ever.” James replied.

  ”Try to make it quick” said Drax steering the vehicle higher and higher. “We have one shot and then
if the Time Stone is ready, we jump out of here. We do not want to risk too much interference.”

  “We do know a lot more about the Pregivers and the Time Stone. We could use it to help other time periods.” Said Mercedes.

  “What happened to trying to go home and clear our names?” Asked Tina.

  “I agree that is what we should do but who knows what fate has in store for us.” Said Drax.

  “The time stone is still dull” said Mercedes holding it. Then suddenly as they approached the citadel complex, they saw a large door opening like a two prong garage door and from within it came a gigantic form of a beast with a large respirator mask on his face, frail limbs, grey skin, white hair all over his body, and he leaped upward toward them striking them with his long skinny arm where his giant clawed hand nearly crushed them. Drax maneuvered the car around it narrowly avoiding the harsh blow.

  “What the hell is that?” Asked James.

  “Company” said Drax, “maybe we should use the dark star now.”

  “We don’t know how much power it has” said James looking at it “and we should save it for the energy barrier around the citadel when we are approaching.”

  “James’ powers won’t work on it either but …” Drax said.

  “Milton, give me your elfin glove.” Said Mercedes. He took it off and handed it to her as he drove the car around trying to avoid from being swatted like a fly from the creature who kept hopping around in incredibly long leaps from platform to platform of the citadel complex as he kept trying to bat them out with his long arm and gigantic clawed hands. “I can’t get a clear shot with the scorpion car. This thing is like a super-fast moving target.”

  “Let me about see that” Tina said as she grabbed the elfin glove from Mercedes and put it on. She felt the energy charging up. “Pretty cool” and she fired a series of blasts towards the creature that moved rapidly dodging them all then suddenly slipping off one of the platforms and as Tina fired another round of shots striking the creature in the chest knocking him back. He reached out with his long arms as he was about to fall down towards the long narrow valley below and gripped the back of the scorpion car and hung on to it dragging it downward.