by carl ashmore
From deep within the battle, Kenneth’s metallic form took to the air and sped toward them, landing at Uncle Percy’s side. ‘How can I help, sir?’
‘We need to get into Stonehenge, but there are Associates everywhere, they’re mowing down everyone who gets close to it. Can you make them disappear … literally?’
‘With pleasure, sir,’ Kenneth replied. Promptly, he flew off, his arms outstretched. A moment later, light beams shot from his fingers, striking Associates, who vanished into thin air in dazzling bursts of light.
Spying an undefended gap in the monument, Becky said, ‘C’mon, Joe, let’s get in there.’ She and Joe raced off.
Ahead, Becky saw Thoth and Edgar were tearing into Associates, pummelling them to unconsciousness and hurling them over the stones like discarded toys from a pram. Kenneth weaved the air, dashing in and out of the trilithons, firing down at the Associates below, who were disappearing at a rapid rate to another time, another place.
Just as Becky thought they stood a chance, however, her worst fears were realised. Ignoring the chaos around him, Drake was standing at the altar, eyes wild. He read from the Palal Stone in words drowned out by the clamour of battle. With each word he uttered, the hazy light above the Eden Relics thickened and became more active, coiling and curling in great swirls as if alive, enveloping him in a kaleidoscope of bedazzling colour.
Becky knew she had mere moments to intervene. At once, her gaze locked on the Palal Stone, imagining its contours, its texture, every bit of her coveting it, commanding it to leave him and come to her. Once again, a watery sensation permeated her skull, leaching into her eye sockets, giving her full control of the Palal Stone even though it was some distance away.
The Palal Stone flew out of Drake’s grip and was zooming through the air into Becky’s open hands. She caught it and looked over at him with satisfaction. But she knew at once from the foul smile he flashed her it was too late.
He had completed the prayer.
‘Oh my God.’ Joe breathed. ‘He’s done it …’
Stunned to silence, Will and Uncle Percy appeared at Becky’s shoulder.
Becky glanced at Uncle Percy hoping for a sign she was wrong, but couldn’t find it. In a lightning fast movement, Will pulled a dagger from his waistband and pitched it at Drake’s head. As the blade penetrated the light it disintegrated.
Paralysed with dread, Becky knew one thing and one thing only:
Drake was untouchable now, truly invincible.
As the seconds passed, the light fed Drake’s body like a battery absorbing charge, and although still very much in human form, he radiated an otherworldly glow as if all humanity was deserting him to be replaced by something more –
Something much more.
Then, with a violent spasm, his arms shot outwards in a cruciform shape and, as if carried on the air by an invisible force, his feet left the ground. He ascended, higher and higher, his face frozen in an ugly mask of ecstasy. Rising above the monument, he came to a halt and surveyed the chaotic scene below.
Across the fields, the battle abated, before stopping completely. Silence fell all around as men stared at the incomprehensible sight before them.
Slowly, Drake’s head tilted down and his eyes found Uncle Percy. ‘I HAVE BECOME, PERCY!’ he growled in a voice that was far removed from its human origins. ‘AND NOW IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO –’
But then something in him changed.
His face contorted in agony as if his very words burned his mouth. He began to shake violently, his body no longer able to contain the power it had absorbed.
‘Becky, Joe, please don’t watch this,’ Uncle Percy said.
But try as she might, Becky couldn’t take her eyes off it.
Drake’s head jerked left and right, up and down, at abnormal angles, and blood filled his eyes, streaming down his cheeks, before spilling down to the ground below.
It was the most nightmarish thing Becky had ever seen.
The high-pitched squeal that left Drake’s mouth was so loud it reached the ears of everyone for miles around, and then, in a colossal flash of light, he exploded to nothingness.
And in that moment, Becky knew it was all over.
Emerson Drake was no more.
Chapter 34
Goodbye
Becky suddenly felt overcome with emotion. For a year she had lived in a state of fear and anxiety, never knowing when Drake would appear, never knowing who he would hurt next. But now he was gone … dead – nothing more than a terrible memory, one that would plague her for the rest of her days, but nevertheless just a memory. She turned to Joe and threw her arms around him.
‘It’s over now,’ Joe said in a quiet voice. ‘We won.’
Becky didn’t reply. She looked through the stones at the Hun Army who were lowering their weapons and bowing their heads in surrender. Then she turned to the Eden Relics. ‘What are we going to do with them?’
‘I’m not sure yet,’ Uncle Percy replied.
‘And Drake?’ Joe said. ‘Why d’you think he – I dunno – bled from his eyes and exploded like a grenade?’
‘I’ve no idea?’ Uncle Percy said. ‘But I do think he was meddling with things no man should meddle with. When I was a child my Sunday School teacher, Mister Poppleton, often quoted the bible - Exodus 20:20: “And Moses said, ‘Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin’.” And that’s partly why I think the Eden Relics were created – yes, as a symbol of God’s power, but also as a test … A test that Drake failed.’
Becky held up the Palal Stone. ‘Then as long as this exists others could be tempted to take that test. Let’s hope I don’t get blasted by lightning for doing this.’ She focussed her energies upon the stone and it crumbled to dust in her fingers.
‘Well done, Becky,’ Uncle Percy said.
‘So what happens now?’ Joe asked.
Uncle Percy exhaled deeply. ‘Now begins the biggest clean up job in the history of mankind. And not just at Stonehenge, but in the twenty first century. There are so many things that need fixing, not least the fact we have to erase all trace there was a battle at Stonehenge. We don’t want a future metal detector enthusiast finding a four thousand year old bullet shell, do we? Yes, the GITT community certainly have their work cut out for them, but we’ll sort it out in time. Firstly, however, we need to deal with the dead and get the injured to the medical facilities. Then we need to memorase a great deal of people. Still none of that is your concern. I suggest I take you away from here right now while the community begins dealing with it all.’
Becky looked past the outer ring and saw countless bodies lying dead on the grass, which was stained red with blood. ‘I’m not going anywhere until I’ve thanked some of people that have come today, those that are still alive that is.’ She made to move, but Uncle Percy placed his hand gently on her arm.
‘I’m not sure you should do that, Becky,’ he said. ‘Beyond those stones is a side to war you really shouldn’t see.’
‘Then that’s precisely why I should see it,’ Becky replied. ‘Maybe it’s the side any idiot that wants to start a war should see, too.’
She approached the outer ring. Entering the battlefield, she heard wails of pain from the blood-soaked victims, many hunched on the floor, clutching their wounds. For the next thirty minutes, she and Joe scoured the battlefield, dazed and dismayed, neither of them feeling any joy at their victory, neither seeing past the gruesome cost of the battle.
Becky did her best to hold back her tears as she saw the dead bodies of Hercules, Theseus, Charlie Millport, Burley Bill Brundle, Elbert Fridge, Russell Crowfeet, David of Doncaster and Mata Hari, picked up and laid down beside hundreds of bodies she didn’t recognise.
But it was when she approached Orff, who was kneeling beside his dead father, whimpering quietly to ears that could no longer hear that her tears finally came. Brushing them away, she knelt beside him and said in a trembling voice, ‘
Orff, I am so sorry.’
‘No sorries, Beckee Mellor,’ Orff replied, his blue eyes lifeless and dull. ‘Gimbeldok died noble deeth. He the finest o’ our clann, and we weell mourn him, but he alwaays with us....’ He tapped his breastbone. ‘In there …’
Becky remained with Orff for some time, talking about his father, before leaving him to his grief. As she walked back to the monument, a tall, elegant woman in body armour, straddling a giant war horse rode up to her.
The woman removed her helmet and her long raven-black hair cascaded down her shoulders.
She was the most beautiful woman Becky had ever seen.
The woman dismounted. ‘Greetings again, Becky.’
Becky’s heart fluttered. Behind the woman’s glittering makeup, she recognised the olive skinned face of a young girl she once knew. ‘Layla?’ she breathed. Then she averted her eyes and bowed. ‘Forgive me … Queen Nefertiti.’
Nefertiti’s face ignited with a smile. She hugged Becky with such force it winded her. ‘To you, I wish always to be Layla. And it does my heart so much good to see you again, despite the occasion.’
‘Thank you so much for coming, Layla,’ Becky said. ‘You and your army have saved us all.’
Nefertiti’s smile grew. ‘Becky, for as long as I breathe the strength of Mother Egypt shall always be there for you in your time of need. I have never forgotten your courage or how you helped me reclaim the father I lost.’ She leaned over and kissed Becky’s forehead. ‘But now I have seen you again, I must go. My people need their Queen now, and although there will be joy that those who have died today shall make the journey to The Fields of Aaru, it is still sad for those that remain behind.’ She climbed back onto her horse and flashed a smile. ‘Until our next meeting, Becky Mellor … Farewell.’
‘Goodbye, Layla.’
Queen Nefertiti steered the horse to the left and rode away.
As the sun descended and an orange dusk painted the land, Becky and Joe met up with Uncle Percy and Will beside the Altar Stone.
Becky was surprised to see the Eden Relics had been removed. ‘Where are they?’ she asked Uncle Percy.
‘I’ve asked Kenneth to take them to Percy Island,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘We’re going there after we’ve finished here. We’ll discuss what to do with them then.’
Will inhaled a heavy breath. ‘Then I deem it time we said our farewells.’
It was clear from Joe’s expression he’d been denying this moment would come. ‘Don’t Will.’ His bottom lip quivered. ‘Please don’t go.’
Will cast him a gentle smile. ‘I have done what I need to do. Drake is no more. Kruger is no more. And now is the time for me to return to Bowen Hall.’
Joe looked at the ground. ‘But then you’ll die!’
‘And die I must.’
‘But why? I don’t get it.’
‘My death has already happened in your time. And I would not try and change it for it may alter other events that lead to a future I wish more than the breath in my lungs.’
‘What future?’
‘Drake’s defeat… and the birth of my son.’ Will’s eyes shone with pride at saying the words. ‘In truth, that is one of the few things your uncle has stated to me. I know of the son Marian and I conceive. And the very thought fills me with a greater joy than I have ever felt. And that is why I would have the future no other way.’
Joe turned to Uncle Percy, his eyes pleading for an alternative. ‘Tell me this doesn’t have to happen?’
Uncle Percy looked devastated. ‘I can’t, Joe,’ he replied. ‘Will’s return and his death influence too many events that have resulted in what has happened today. The Omega Effect would never allow such changes.’
Will reached out and placed a hand on Joe’s shoulder. ‘But, please, I beg you do not be sad for me,’ he said. ‘Before I return to Bowen Hall I am making a stop in time. I shall visit Marian and my son and spend a single day in their company. And I shall live a life entire in those twenty four hours. You must understand such an encounter pleases me more than words could ever voice.’
Joe nodded. ‘I get that.’ He signalled at the cuts on Will’s face and a cheerless smile formed on his mouth. ‘You do know you might scare the hell out of Marian, don’t you?’
Will laughed. ‘Perhaps I shall. But Marian is formed of sturdy stock. Even if my face instils her with revulsion, she would never expose such a feeling.’
Joe was fighting back the tears now. ‘You’re the best, Will,’ he said. ‘I’ll miss you. I do miss you.’
Will reached down and removed a gold signet ring from his index finger. The ring had a white lion stamped on its bezel. ‘King Richard the Lionheart, my friend and sovereign, once gave me this. I wish it to be yours.’ He pulled Joe into an embrace. ‘Farewell, Joe. And I ask you do one thing for me.’
‘Anything.’
‘Your father has returned. Be a good son for him… Be as good a son to him as you’ve been a friend to me.’
‘I will.’
Will turned to Becky. ‘Farewell, Miss Becky. You are the most wonderful girl, your heart, your soul is as true as Saint Theodora’s. And I wish you good fortune in every turn of your life.’
Her eyes dampening, Becky leaned in and kissed him. ‘Bye, Will. Thanks for everything.’
Finally, Will turned to Uncle Percy and extended his hand. ‘Farewell, old friend.’
Struggling to keep it together, Uncle Percy shook Will’s hand. ‘Farewell, Will. You’ve been the finest friend and companion a man could have in a thousand lifetimes.’
‘As have you, Percy.’
‘Enjoy the time with Marian and your son,’ Uncle Percy said, his voice cracking slightly.
‘My son, Joe.’ Will smiled warmly. ‘Every second with them will give me a lifetime of joy. I consider myself a truly blessed man.’ Clutching his Katana sword in one hand, he entered six digits on his portravella. At once, glittering tentacles of light shot up his arm, before surrounding his body.
A moment later, Will had gone.
Chapter 35
Hello
As Becky’s eyes attuned from the light blast, the pain of never seeing Will again consumed her once more. As they stood there in total silence, a memory stirred within. Something she had contemplated over the last few months finally made sense. ‘The light I saw in Bowen Forest at Easter,’ she said to Uncle Percy. ‘It wasn’t torchlight, was it? It was Will returning from this moment.’
‘Yes.’
‘And that also explains the cuts on his face he claimed he got from falling from his tree-house.’
‘It does.’
Joe looked inconsolable. For a few hours, he’d had his friend, his mentor back in his life, and now Will had gone again. Uncle Percy walked over and curled his arm around his shoulder.
‘Are you okay?’
‘No,’ Joe replied. ‘But I will be.’ He stared down at the ring, before sliding it onto his finger. As he studied the lion symbol something struck him. ‘Will doesn’t know that I know I’m King Richard’s son, does he?’
Uncle Percy shook his head. ‘No... not yet. I told him very, very little about what happens in his immediate future. Almost nothing. Again, he might’ve tried to change things and I couldn’t risk that.’
Becky slipped her hand into Joe’s. ‘I’m sorry, Joe. I can’t imagine what you’re going through.’
‘I’m fine.’
‘He looked happy, though … didn’t he?’ Becky said. When Joe looked confused, she added, ‘I mean, when he knew he was going to see his son.’
A smile flickered on Joe’s mouth. ‘Yeah … he did.’
‘And as I firmly believe, a wonderful life should be about wonderful experiences,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘I suppose seeing your child for the first time– well, as experiences go that must be just about as wonderful as you can get.’
‘I just wish it could all be different,’ Joe said quietly.
‘I know,’ Uncle Percy said.
Ano
ther thought entered Becky’s head. ‘How much did he tell you about all of this?’ she asked Uncle Percy.
‘What do you mean?’
‘At Easter, I’m guessing he told you about today … about Drake’s death, about Dad, about the victory.’
‘Yes, but that was about it. No specifics.’
‘When did he tell you?’
‘Do you recall when we saw him by Bowen Lake and I took him to the Medi-room to examine the cuts on his face? It was then.’
Then something else struck Becky. ‘But what I don’t get is how the images of this battle got on to the walls of the Chamber of the Ancients?’
‘Well, that was puzzling at first,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘Particularly because the Chamber of the Ancients is so much older than Stonehenge. Still, that very fact told me the builders of the Chamber must have visited the future, been to Stonehenge and witnessed this battle. Do you remember Edgar once told us who built the Chamber of the Ancients and its protective enchantments?’
Becky searched her memory and came up with a name. ‘It was Thoth. The Minotaur that was with Edgar today … the one who killed Kraven.’
‘Correct,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘A few weeks ago I gave Edgar a portravella and told him to go back in time and find Thoth. After today, Thoth will return to his time and to Egypt and oversee the building of the Chamber of the Ancients and the mural on that wall.’
‘Wow,’ Becky replied. ‘That is some head-messing stuff.’
‘It certainly is,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘Now do you have any more questions?’ When Becky and Joe didn’t reply, he said, ‘Then shall we go to Percy Island? I don’t know about you but I think we could do with some down time far away from Stonehenge and all it now represents.’
Becky and Joe held onto Uncle Percy’s arm as he keyed digits onto his Portravella. Moments later, they had swapped the suffocating greyness of an English sky for a landscape luminous with vivid colour - glittery white sand, an emerald green ocean and a navy blue sky that cloaked the heavens. The sights, the sounds, the smells couldn’t have been further from where they had just come from.