“I guess you should have finished reading the Toggle Handbook, Son of Nick. Then you would have known that the true chosen one cannot be poisoned by an ill-fated love. The queen has rejected me; therefore, I will take my wrath out on the entire world. I will have my revenge.”
Shantago’s eyes seemed to be filled with a hatred like Jordan had never seen before. As he finished climbing to the top of the well, Shantago let out a demonic growl, which came from the depths of his darkened soul. Jordan could tell that this new Shantago was just pure evil.
This, of course, was not in Jordan’s plans. He figured by now he’d have Piper back in his arms. He didn’t expect a “Super Shantago” to suddenly emerge.
Shantago’s appearance seemed to have changed dramatically since returning from the dead. Jordan noticed that his skin had transformed into a volcanic red, and his hair was like fire. His face, which seemed to be melting away, dripped and oozed as he stood. Perhaps these were the effects of having so much hate stored up. Shantago seemed to be more arrogant and confident than ever as he approached Jordan, with nothing but evil intentions in mind.
In a destructive voice he declared, “I will start by killing you, Son of Nick.” Jordan’s body was so battered and beaten that at this point, there was no way he could withstand an attack from the evil one. Jordan didn’t even move as Shantago continued his way.
“Prepare to meet your Maker.”
Jordan quickly replied with, “I’m already at peace, and I know him well.”
“Well then, don’t let me get in your way.”
Shantago belted Jordan with such force that it sent him flying through the air, landing hard on his already injured leg. “I should have killed you long ago. If I’d done so, this vicious circle would not have happened. I blame you, Son of Nick, for my Robin’s death.” Shantago punched Jordan hard in the face. “I also blame you for my weakness.” He punched him again, this time blackening both eyes. “And I blame you, Son of Nick, for Robin’s betrayal.” Shantago picked Jordan up by his throat, lifting him high off the ground.
Without notice, Shantago’s body awkwardly convulsed as he dropped Jordan to the ground. Shantago’s entire body illuminated to an even brighter red and Jordan could tell something wasn’t right with the evil one. Suddenly, Jordan realized how to defeat him. He proclaimed, “My name is Jordan Brady.”
Putting his plan into action, he wailed at Shantago. “So, Grandpa Nick and Cousin Aaron killed your precious toggle princess? I bet they wiped out a whole village of toggles in the process and burned it to the ground. Good for them!”
Shantago twitched violently with Jordan’s news. A bright light from within began separating Shantago’s body, splitting him in two. “You know what? If the princess was here right now, I’d spit in her face and then push her down the well, just like my grandfather did.”
Hatred was oozing out of Shantago’s pores at an alarming rate. His skin glowed like it was now on fire. “Once I get out of this cave, I’m going to make it my mission to exterminate every toggle from the face of this Earth.”
Shantago’s body shook wildly as more hate entered. “Before I do all of this, I promise to do the very thing that you couldn’t.” Jordan gave him an evil eye as he guaranteed this promise. “I’ll bring back the toggle princess and make her my queen.”
Jordan continued mocking him, making faces as he recited this poem. “Twas brillig his eyes; oh how they bled, with his heart as fierce as a dragon’s head. Gnawing and clawing on other’s souls, he was the destroyer of worlds with great power and zin, and he would come for all who did not fear him. The ruler of all and the keeper of crows, not you, but I, am the great Shawn Toggle.”
Jordan’s brow wrinkled as he stood tall and proud, proclaiming to the evil one, “And I don’t fear you any longer!” Shantago’s anger had reached its boiling point.
He let out a blood curdling shriek as his entire body convulsed. His rancor, revenge, and egotism had finally tipped the scales. Jordan shielded his eyes from the blinding light as Shantago exploded from all of the hatred that was consuming him. Yes, the pain was just too much to bear, coupled with the bitterness and agony that filled him. Shantago was no more.
As Jordan lay there, body beaten beyond imagination, he wondered how he would muster up enough strength to complete the journey. I just don’t know, Lord, how much more I can withstand before I, too, explode.
My Heart will Go On and On
It seemed like Jordan was positioned very far away from the Rock of Tahguhl. With his body shattered from the attack, he had to force himself to get up. Thinking of Piper, he squirmed towards the green boulder. He knew it wouldn’t be long now. Little by little and inch by inch, Jordan made his way over to touch the magical boulder.
Grime filled his fingernails as he clawed at the dirt floor, pulling himself over to the mystical stone. Jordan took a deep breath as he pulled out and dusted off the Toggle Handbook. He knew every word by heart, but felt that it was only right to read them once again from the handbook, as he didn’t want to take any more chances.
After a few page turns, Jordan recited these words while touching the rock. “Seek ye now, and forever ye shall seek, but bring forth ye loved one to the life portal and forever together ye shall be.”
Once again the Rock of Tahguhl proved true as it gleamed brightly, opening the life portal just feet from Jordan. After a few seconds of anticipation, Piper came to the front of the portal. Jordan immediately burst out in tears as their eyes locked on each other. “Piper, my love, is it you?”
She too was overcome with joy. “Yes, I’m here!” Piper seemed upset once she saw Jordan beaten and lying there in agony.
Jordan held his arms out wide as he prepared for her embrace. “Then come to me.”
Piper, saddened, refrained from walking through the portal and into his arms. “I’m sorry, but I can’t.”
Jordan didn’t understand as he tried to reassure her that it was okay. “Don’t be afraid, my love, you can do this. I saw it done earlier. All you have to do is come to me.”
“It’s not that I physically can’t,” she replied. “You don’t understand. I am in paradise right now, and if I leave, I may never find my way back.”
Jordan tried to sit up, but his body movements kept him limited. “My love, I can’t come to you. My body, it’s broken beyond repair.” Jordan’s emotions almost proved too much for him as he felt distraught and constrained, just like the day that he’d first lost Piper.
“What do we do?” Jordan glared up at Piper. His eyes were swollen, and now losing their focus.
“You need to come to me.”
“But how can I? My body, I…I can’t move my legs.”
Piper spoke softly and in a loving way as she said, “You need to let go. Only then can you be with me forever and ever.”
Jordan suddenly understood what she meant, so he prepared himself to cross over. There was nothing left for him in this world anymore. He realized that this was it; it was time to go.
Without notice, Jordan let go. As breath left his body, Jordan entered the portal and into Piper’s arms. As the portal closed, they held each other tight, and kissed a kiss that no couple has ever kissed before.
Yes, this was a kiss that shamed any queen and king, prince and princess. Even the big screen has never captured an embrace like this. Their love had a storybook ending, and it remained true, forever and ever and ever and ever, without end. To what lengths would Jordan go to meet up with his true love once more? Now we know.
A Knight to Remember
“Hey, guys, over here. I think this is it.” The squad made their way through the small opening that was hidden deep within the rocky walls. Once inside, everyone marveled at the vaulted ceilings, and all of the wonders stored there in the long-forgotten cave.
Just past the wishing well, Grant spotted a figure hidden in the shadows. “Guys, come quickly. I think he’s over here.” Everyone hurriedly gathered around the broken body, which was
lying face down in the dirt.
“Do you see what I see?” Aaron remarked. “Look at the robe. I don’t think it’s Jordan. It just couldn’t be. If it is, he’s dressed as the toggle king.”
Before Aaron could finish, Nick made his way to the body. As he turned the body over, his expression quickly turned to grief. Holding him in his arms Nick cried out, “No, Jordan my boy.” He began to sway back and forth, holding the body of his grandson as he sobbed profusely.
Everyone left Nick alone to be with Jordan as he lamented. He held Jordan close. Speaking softly he said, “I’m sorry, son, for not being there when you needed me. If I had it to do all over again, I promise you that things would be different.”
An onslaught of memories continued filling Nick’s head as he sat there on the ground cradling his grandson. “I never thought that I would live long enough to see my son or my grandson die. This is the worst feeling possible.”
Aaron and the rest of the team began exploring the cave while Nick said his goodbyes. They soon came rushing back to Nick’s side with great news. “You won’t believe it! The boy actually did it!”
Nick dried his tears while asking, “What are you talking about?”
Matt smiled as he delivered the news. “You won’t believe it, but the boy found the Rock of Tahguhl. There is a rock over there that looks just like the one mentioned in the Toggle Handbook.” Grant spoke up with optimism. “We can bring Jordan back from beyond, if you want.”
This affirmation troubled Nick. “Enough. All of you should be ashamed of yourselves.” He understood that there’s much more than just life here on Earth.
Quickly calming down, Nick realized that the squad meant no harm. “That’s just a selfish request, that’s all. Look at all the hardship he endured. Why would you want to bring him back just to suffer? Besides, the boy is in a much better place now.” The team realized that Nick needed time to grieve, so they respected his decision.
An assured serenity began to sink in as Aaron said, “So, which one do you think did him in? Was it the radiation from the EMP blast or the tumor that got the best of him?”
Nick held Jordan close in his arms while his eyes were red with regret. “No, it wasn’t the radiation or a tumor.” Tears completely filled Nick’s eyes as the pain was almost too much to bear. He tried to stay strong, but the sobbing eventually took over, and he lost it. “No… Jordan died from a broken heart.”
This book is dedicated to you, Ma, my biggest fan. Thank you for reading my books and being so supportive in everything I do.
Epilogue
Rummaging through Jordan’s satchel, Nick found a white piece of paper that was neatly folded, hidden deep within one of the zippered pockets. He realized it was a note written from Jordan so he opened it and began reading. I am writing you this letter in search of closure. I know what you now think of me, and I am sorry for letting you down. Please forgive me for my naïve stupidity…
After several minutes, Nick finished the letter. A single tear fell on his cheek as he carefully folded it up and placed it in his front pocket.
Aaron came over and put his arm around Nick. “What did you find?”
Nick replied, “It was a letter written by Jordan to me and the squad.” Everyone wanted to know what was in the letter. Nick just patted his pocket as he explained, “Today is a day of honor and respect for our fallen comrade, Jordan Brady. As he suggested in his letter, I will read it to you when the time is right.”
Without warning, a large explosion came from overtop, which shook the cave’s walls. Nick yelled out, “Evasive actions, we are under attack!” As the team set up a perimeter to fight, the entranceway started crumbling down right in front of them.
“We are going to be buried alive if we don’t act right now!” With stones falling all around them, the team realized that they were between a rock and a hard place. “It’s too dangerous. We have to find another way out or we’re doomed.”
The team had been in tough situations before, but nothing like this. Between the gunfire and the avalanche, Nick knew that this time not all of the team would make it out alive. “After three, cover your heads and crash through the opening. Blast those sons of guns with everything that you have! In three...two…one…
************************************
“Nick. Hey, Nick, the baby is crying. Can you please help me? I would like to run to the store but the baby needs his bottle. Can you take care of him while I go out for a bit?” Fantasy just gave way to reality.
Sometimes it’s nice, for a moment in time, to be swept away to a place filled with toggle bosses and magical kingdoms. Where there’s an unspoken hero who at the end of the day proves true, and rescues his princess from the monsters that come before him. Sometimes I long for that place, especially after an exhausting and tiresome day.
It’s nice to know that I have such a getaway when I need it. A whole other world filled with action and adventure… and monsters. I need that escape, a break from reality, even if it’s for a brief moment.
So what about the unspoken hero? I honestly feel that not only am I one, but I also come in contact with many on a daily basis. Yes, I’m referring to the average guy who works twelve-hour shifts and is able to still balance work and family. The hero I’m talking about fears God. He always does the right thing, even if he has to put himself last.
So it’s okay if the hero is also a dad, and the monsters that he does battle with on a daily basis are often unseen. As he battles through the day slaying his dragons, he isn’t looking for someone to praise his good deeds. No, he simply wants to provide for his family the best that he can. Holding baby Grant in my arms right now as I am finishing this book renews my strength, so much so, that I could do battle with a thousand toggles.
At the end of the day, when Dad lays his family down to sleep in their safe, warm beds, HE BECOMES THE TRUE HERO.
The End.
Author’s Autograph
Shantago III: The Rock of Tahguhl
Nicholas Penn
Nicholas grew up in Huntington, West Virginia where he picked up the art of storytelling from his grandfather. This is his fifth book and third in this series. Nicholas enjoys the writing styles of fantasy, mythology, and humor.
Stay tuned… The Chronicles of Jordan Brady will be hitting the book shelves soon. This book will be the last of the series and it will be all three books combined with a surprise for the reader who wants more.
Never trust a toggle. Many have and many have perished. Always remember this one thing. If something goes bump in the middle of the night, and you are missing a sock or two from your sock drawer, there just might be a toggle in the house.
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