by Lizzie Vega
He smiled. How could he have not seen this before? The circle was now complete. The rough metal bands were now connected across the full diameter of the disk and the outside markings had been completed. Michael just shook his head in disbelief. The disk has risen in the center into a dome-shape. It was suddenly obvious. It was a shield. From the battered condition of the metal banding, one that had seen a battle or two.
The sheild vibrated gently in his grasp and he could feel something soft on the underside of the disk. As he began to walk towards the summoning circle, the four faceted buttons on each the four directional markers began to sparkle with color.
He walked the piece of armor to the edge of the circle and set it gently on the floor in front of him. The vibrations that had begun with the appearance of the lights in the warehouse increased to a low hum.
“Allie,” he said with a big smile on his face, “You were right,” he pointed to the colored stones, now sparkling brightly, “I think these are jewels.”
Parker had regained some of his wits, “Everyone, look up.” Four more orbs had joined the previous ones, three of the smaller ones had formed a small column toward the outside of the circle.
The vibration had picked up enough to now cause a disturbance in the air around the circle. It was enough to cause Iris’s hair to move with a light breeze. “Ok, gang, how about another step back, just to be sure.”
Parker looked at Sam, “Hey, star girl, any of this look familiar to you?”
Sam shrugged, “Not yet, maybe if there are more of them, I will recognize a pattern.”
As she spoke, three more colored orbs dropped into place from the ceiling, one was much larger than the others. It took a position close to the center of the circle again a few feet from the floor.
Another large one dropped into position away from where the other large orb had placed itself. It looked completely random. Beautiful, but random.
“That’s twelve,” Sam noted, “if one or two move into a particular spot, I’d have a better idea. Plus, they’re all at different heights.”
Mac sounded nervous, “Then what?”
“No idea,” answered Iris, “I stopped trying to figure this out just after it started. We’re on our own here.”
“Yeah,” Michael remarked, “That’s what Mr. Goodmun said when he gave us the box.”
Three large orbs descended from the ceiling and set up close to the center adjacent to the largest one that had appeared earlier. Now the breeze had picked up speed along with the vibration. A dull hum filled the room.
Sam took a step towards the circle and knelt on the edge of it.
Michael looked alarmed, “Sam,” he called out over the humming sound, “What are you doing.”
“It’s ok,” she said, “I should have thought of this sooner.” Breaking the edge of the summoning circle, she crawled to the center on her hands and knees and laid down on her back. Michael took a step toward the circle’s edge but Iris stopped him. “Not a good idea, Michael.”
That just made it worse. He called to her, “Sam, get out of there.”
She looked at him and then looked up at the orbs as another one materialized and dropped towards them.
She reached out her hand, “Michael, share this with me.” She motioned for him to join her.
Michael didn’t hesitate. He ducked down to avoid the lowest orb and made his way to her. He laid down next to her on the garage floor and now they were shoulder to shoulder.
“Do you see it?” she asked.
He looked up at the ceiling. Seeing them from their position on the floor, the orbs now looked like a flat plane. He squinted at the lights as they hung above, they seemed to be getting brighter.
Sam pointed over to a blank section of the ceiling, “If I’m right, the next one will appear right there,” she swung her hand to the left and over a bit, “or possibly over here.”
She turned her head to him and whispered in his ear, “I’ve always wanted to go stargazing with you,” she kissed him on the cheek.
Parker clapped his hand to his forehead, “What? All this just to get a kiss? Wouldn’t a box of chocolates been a lot simpler? Holy Crap.”
Iris laughed at him, “Michael has got some serious game goin’ on, you should take some lessons from him.”
Michael and Samantha stayed together under the stars as three more orbs took positions exactly where she had predicted.
He looked at her, “That makes nineteen total, but it looks weird. Why is that?” He was having to speak more loudly now that the additional orbs added to the noise level. As he said that each of the pulsing orbs began to move. Those that were close to the ceiling began to fall gently and those closer to the floor rose quietly. They stopped together about ten feet off the floor and suddenly the vibration stopped. It was now quiet in the garage.
“Well, that was interesting” said Mac but he sort of yelled it and then realized it was quiet, “Sorry.”
“What do you see?” asked Iris.
Samantha laughed, “It’s the constellation of Orion, except it’s backwards now and missing Alnilam, the center star. Just like our lightning strikes didn’t have the center marker.
“How can it be backwards?” asked Mac.
“It is the correct constellation but in reverse. It’s like looking at it from the other side.”
Parker took a step toward the circle, “The other side of what?” A deep pulse of sound enveloped the warehouse.
Iris grabbed Parker’s arm, “Wait, Michael, Sam, get out of there. I don’t think this is quite over yet.” She wasn’t smiling.
Michael looked at Samantha, “We’ll do this again, ok? Just under the real stars next time.”
“Michael!” He had leaned into kiss her again but suddenly he was pulled away. Samantha was scrambling to get out of the circle as well. Michael realized it was Parker that had him by the arm, “Look out!”
Parker had dragged him out of the circle and Sam had been gathered up by Allie and Iris.
Mac pointed to the ceiling as a pointed spear of light made its way down from the ceiling and stopped in the center position of the constellation. It then drove straight down in the exact spot where Michael had been laying. The tip of the light caught the edge of the offering bowl and sent it spinning out of the circle and began to crackle with energy as it hit the concrete. The quiet sizzle created a bubbling effect as the tip seemed to be vibrating against the cool concrete slab. A bitter metallic smell filled the room, like someone was using an arc welder.
Michael looked to see that Samantha was out of the way and then poked himself in the stomach, “Thanks, Parker, I think that would have hurt.”
Parker nodded to his friend, but as he did, he caught movement above his head. The outermost orb and the ones closest to it began to move as a group.
“The center star,” Samantha pointed to the bubbled concrete, “that is the center star, Look!”
From across the room, it was clear that the points of light were now beginning to slowly rotate around the center beam of light. The inverted constellation held its pattern and spun with an increasing velocity around the center spire. The hum and vibrations that accompanied the orbs arrival returned and the sizzling sound of the light on the floor now took on a more metallic tapping sound. It was as if someone was ringing a bell as the tall light spike began to shrink in length. It shrank until it was about three feet long and then it, too, began to rotate in the same manner of the stars above it.
“What is this, Iris? What’s happening?”
The young witch walked closer to the edge of the circle and looked at the spinning beam. The others gathered right behind her.
“I have never, ever heard or have seen anything like this, this isn’t earth magic,” and she took a step back. “We need to get out of here, I think something bad is going to happen.”
Michael held his position, “No. I’m going to stay. I started this and I’m going to see it through.”
He walked around
to the other side of the circle and stood by the glowing sheild. The hum had increased to the point where Michael now had to yell to be heard. He pointed down at the sheild at his feet, “This, belongs with that and I can’t leave. I am supposed to be here.” His voice was breaking as he said it.
Samantha quickly made her way to his side. “I’ll stay with you.”
Parker looked at Iris, “Really?” He hollered at her, “are you sure it’s not safe, we can’t leave him. I can’t leave him.”
Iris looked at him helplessly. She was suddenly not the strong confidant woman the others had come to know, “I don’t know what to do, I’m sorry.”
Parker didn’t respond to the apology, his eyes got wide and he looked at Iris, his mouth dropped open. “What the …?” he pointed at her shoulder, “What is happening to you?” and he backed away from her. Iris put her hand on her chest and drew in a ragged breath, it was if she was unable to breathe. Her tattoo was beginning to wind down her arm. Iris looked at her arm and then back to Parker.
“I’m not doing this.” She gasped painfully, “I’m not in contro…”
She rotated awkwardly toward the circle and looked over to Michael as her legs buckled and she fell to her knees. She tried to reach for Katie but her arms veered into the circle toward the spinning spire.
“Katie,” she called out, “Help me.” The tendrils of her tattoo had traveled down both arms and her eyes had begun to glow. It was as though the spire was drawing her energy from her.
A sharp report of thunder echoed in the warehouse and a small white hot streak of light shot down from the ceiling and down into the spinning spire. A second and third streak quickly followed and the spire began to wobble slightly. It now looked like a long wedge. Parker called to Michael, “Are you seeing this?”
Michael nodded to his friend. He looked down at the artifact and then he looked at Samantha. “I know what it is now, I know what to do.” He smiled softly to her but she saw tears in his eyes, “I’ll be right back.”
He stepped into the circle.
Samantha screamed and reached for him, “Michael, No,” but he stopped her. “It’s Ok, I’ll be right here…I think,” and he turned back to face the center.
He took another step toward the center and another louder crack of thunder made him stop. A small pulsating red orb dropped slowly from the ceiling and came to rest on top of the rotating spire. The revolving spike of light began to slow.
“Oh my God,” Samantha gasped as the light slowed further and revealed a piece jutting out towards the top of it, “It’s a cross.”
“No, Sam,” Michael answered, as the spinning lights stopped, “It’s a sword.”
There was a sudden pulse of pressure inside the warehouse. It made no sound, yet the concussion rattled the windows in the skylights. Iris was released and stood up leaning on Katie for support. Her tattoo still spiraling around her wildly. “What the hell is happening?”
“Iris!” Samantha called out suddenly, her hand on her ches. “I feel something, it’s...a sadness. Pain and sadness, but it’s not,” she hesitated, “From here.” She pointed toward the ceiling.
Above them it was if the sky opened like a summer cloudburst, large drops of light began to cascade from the ceiling by the thousands. They fell in a wide, almost solid column just behind the sword. The sword stood straight up from the concrete like it was held on a wire. It didn’t move as the light drops spilled all around it. The warehouse was now quiet except the soft sound the falling lights made. It sounded like a gentle rain. It was so brilliant, it was hard to look at, but they couldn’t look away.
Suddenly, a hand reached slowly out of the column and tentatively grasped the handle of the sword. A loud peal of thunder signaled a shift in the shower of light raining down from above, it began to dim.
Michael looked down at the artifact at his feet and then looked at the sword. He reached down and picked up the shield, turned it over, and grinned. He looked at Parker and just shook his head. He slipped his hand through a harness on the back and hoisted it up in front of him.
“A sword needs a shield, right?”
They watched a flash of the familiar blue lightning spider its way across the rafters of the warehouse, a soft rumble of thunder followed. With that, the waterfall of light ended to reveal a figure crouched on the concrete holding the sword.
The silhouette suggested a large figure at first, but as the light columns’ intensity began to fade, it revealed a hooded figure cloaked in white fur and tanned leather. The only movement was the figures’ shoulders heaving up and down and the only sound in the room was a quiet sobbing.
No one moved.
The rotating stars came to a silent but far brighter halt.
Now bathed in the bright light of the stars, the crying subsided and they watched as a well-muscled arm tightened it grasp around the now shining sword and the figure stood up and raised her head. She drew back the hood of her cloak.
The young woman looked right at Michael. She was tall. Almost as tall as he was. Her ice blue eyes darted back and forth between his face and then to the shield. Her hair had long flowing locks that were held back off her face by a group of long dark braids. Several smaller braids framed her face and were adorned with small jewels and beadwork. A soft green linen tunic under the robe covered her body but it was reinforced by leather panels that gathered at her waist. A bare tattooed shoulder and arm were draped in an armored chain mail.
Michael just stared at her. She was beautiful. He looked at her closely and noted a large jeweled pendant that hung on a chain on her neck.
This was just so…unexpected.
She looked formal, almost elegant, but also ready for battle.
Michael saw the light reflect off a tear as it rolled off her cheek and it jogged him out of his shock, “Are...are you alright?” He took a small step towards her.
Her eyes grew wide and she stepped back with her right foot, flipping her sword around in a deft smooth arc, ready to defend herself. The long shining blade caught the reflection of the rotating stars in the warehouse and sent a bright beam of reflection right back at Michael’s eyes blinding him for a second. She crouched defensively, and Michael could see the muscles in her forearm flexing as she gripped her weapon.
He watched her eyes narrow and saw that she was looking back and forth between his face and the shield he held in front of him. She had yet to acknowledge there was anyone else in the room but him.
Michael looked at her and tried his best to muster a smile and, at the same time realized that obviously she felt threatened. He slowly moved his shielded arm to the side and showed his other hand, “I’m not armed, we are not here to hurt you,” his voice was strong and calm, but his hand was visibly shaking.
She seemed to relax and her shoulder dropped slightly, but Iris exhaled loudly in relief and the young woman snapped her head and looked in her direction. Still caught up in the magic of the ritual, the tendrils of young witch’s tattoo were still moving around her body and her eyes still glowed with an un-natural intensity.
The new visitor again crouched and moved her sword quickly around, pointing the long blade directly at Iris.
“Hva trolldom er dette? she shouted, her voice was shaky but she was loud. She looked terrified, “Hvem er du?
To his credit, Parker moved and tried to block the women’s view of Iris but in the process of protecting her, exposed himself and ended up stepping into the circle startling the young warrior.
She took a step toward him, and as she did, swung her sword around behind her and grasped it with both hands. She lunged toward Parker and brought the sword toward him, the polished blade flashing in the light. Parker had no time to react as the sword came down in an arc. He didn’t stand a chance.
Michael suddenly swung his arm around and dove in front of Parker, raising the shield to intercept her attack. He blindly swung the shield up above his head to protect both of them just as her blade crashed into the metal banding.
She groaned as a loud echoing clang reverberated around the warehouse. The blade made contact with the shield sending a painful shock up Michael’s arm, his knees buckled from the strength of the collision. He crashed into Parker and they both fell to the floor. The young woman recovered from the first strike and pivoted expertly to the left to attack their now exposed flank. The chain mail covering her arm sizzled with a metallic hiss.
She brought the sword around again and held it above her head. She hesitated for a moment as if to select a more lethal target and stepped forward to begin the assault. But the look on her face was one of sheer terror. Tears streaked across her cheekbones as she brought the blade slashing down.
A deep voice thundered from the back of the darkened warehouse, “Annika, Nei! Stoppe!”
The woman froze in mid strike, silencing the whipping sound of the blade slicing through the air. She turned and looked toward the voice, squinting into the darkened space. A tall figure stepped out of the shadows and spoke again, “Anni, Du er trygg.”
Iris turned her head in disbelief, she didn’t understand the words, but she knew that voice.
The young woman faltered and lowered her sword, staring in disbelief. Her hands began to shake and the sword fell from her hand, clattering across the floor. She straightened up and wiped the tears from her eyes and took a tentative step toward him. Her eyes opened wide in recognition,
“Stefan,” she cried out, she ran and threw herself into his arms.
He wrapped his long arms around her and drew her in tightly. He rested his head on hers, “Everything’s going to be alright,” he told her. He looked at the rest of the group, his eyes filling with tears.
“We’re among friends.”
Chapter 34
The stunned group just stared at the couple. Iris threaded her way between Katie and Samantha and made her way over to them. Stefan smiled at Iris as she got closer, but she did not return his smile. “Stefan. That, at least,” she said gesturing at the woman in his arms, “seems to be your real name, right?”