I’m not exactly in our timeline, but much closer than I was before.
“Thank you, dear friend. Hopefully this means there’s still time,” I mutter, running through so many different options in my mind.
I could save Fenton, protect the Lateral. I could even save Baxten before he was taken by the Salamanders, if the timing holds true.
I try to prioritize where I’m needed most.
“Ah, Runa—” Ammon says, tapping my shoulder.
“Hang on, Ammon, I’m trying to think about our next move.”
“Yeah, but Runa—you might wanna see this,” he says, continuing to tap my shoulder.
I turn to face him and he extends his right arm out as he points to a descending darkness in the distance.
“We need to go, Ammon. Now—” I exclaim, grabbing hold of his extended arm and pulling him toward Tethys.
Still too far away for Ammon to truly get a good look, but I’d know that movement of darkness anywhere. The herd of Salamanders are coming our way fast. Their bodies darken the snow, making it undulate in strange ways as they move close, burning away the snow as they race forward.
I crawl up on to Tethys’ back, and turn to reach for Ammon. His amber eyes widen further, sparkling more than I’ve ever seen them before. It’s almost like looking into a mirror of a younger version of myself—had I been born a boy, anyway.
“What are you doing?” he asks, pulling his hand back.
“Ammon, you have to trust me. We don’t have time for an explanation right now,” I say, holding my hand out for him.
“But—”
“Now, Ammon. Trust me, what’s coming from out there is far worse than taking my hand.”
Ammon takes one last look at the incoming Salamanders and takes my offering. I lift him up quickly so he rests in front of me. I place his hands on Tethys’ neck and he tightens his grip into her fur, despite not being able to see it. I wrap one of my arms around him.
Instantly, Tethys’ shield goes up, protecting us from the onslaught as best she can. The ground around us shakes, as she pulls in as much moisture from the snow on the ground and in the air. Then, she shoots forward, taking us away from the incoming darkness.
“What is this thing?” Ammon says. “Is it like an invisible rocket or something?”
It must be strange staring at his hands, clearly holding onto something, resting on its back, but unable to see anything.
“Ammon, this is Tethys. She’s my guardian,” I say, hoping the two short sentences are enough of an explanation because we’re about to come into trouble.
“It’s a she—” he begins, “—where is she?”
I open my mouth to answer, but one of the Salamanders slinks up nearby, closing in on us far more quickly than anticipated. Tethys thrusts us forward through her connection to the snow, trying to put distance between us and the Salamander. We veer away from the Tree of Burden and off into the vast woods around us.
The Salamanders continue to advance in a strange semi-circle, herding us closer to the Helix. Ironically, the path leads us right on top of the Lateral and Safe Haven. A pack of them breaks off, running over the top of what is the cavern system, if they only knew. Blue electricity sparks between their toes and arcs back and forth between each of them as they spread out in front of us.
Tethys grunts, as she shifts to the right. Her energy wants to draw them away from the cavern system as quickly as possible, not confront them right on top of it. Unfortunately, the Salamanders have other things in mind. The other half swings around, trying to box us in and take a stand.
Tethys maneuvers away, gliding between a handful of them just as one of their electricity nets goes up.
“What in the—what are those things now?” Ammon says, his voice nearly a screech.
“They’re trouble,” I say, trying to focus on Tethys’ intentions and helping to guide her with my own.
“They look like—I don’t even know what they look like. Well, other than creep-tastic.”
“You’re not kidding,” I mutter, still focusing on our surroundings.
Far off in the horizon, coming from way of the Helix is a dark cloud—most likely the juncos. This isn’t good.
~We need to leave, Tethys. This is going to get worse and the others are in the cavern system below the Salamanders. If we’re not careful, their energy could set off a—
My thoughts get interrupted as recognition takes over.
We’ve done this before. This is what was happening when the Haven experienced the local seismic activity. Fenton could never place where it was coming from, or why it had happened.
Now I know why.
~Tethys, we have to draw them away. Fast. The other me—and my friends will be emerging soon. The Salamanders are already causing seismic activity in the cavern below.
Understanding exactly what I mean, Tethys heads straight toward an opening to the far right of the clearing. It’s tiny, but it could give us enough of an opportunity to draw the Salamanders away from the Haven’s entrance.
“Ah—why are we heading straight towards that big group of scary black things? They don’t look like they’re friendly, Runa,” Ammon says, gripping Tethys’ fur tighter and closing his eyes.
“Hang on Ammon, I can explain everything once we’re outta this mess.”
Tethys picks up speed, drawing as much moisture from the snow as she can to fuel our escape. Half of the added energy extends to her shield, the other half to thrusting us as quickly as we can through the fray. The maneuver seems to have had the effect we were hoping for, as the Salamanders on top of the Haven take pursuit.
It’s good timing, too. In the distance, I barely catch a glimpse of Trae, Fenton, Kani—and a different version of myself run out of the cavern entrance that leads to the Haven.
I can’t tell from this angle if we’re far enough out of my line of vision, but we must be, because I don’t recall ever seeing the Salamanders until one captures—
No, no, no—Baxten!
“Tethys, we have to turn around. We need to go back for my brother,” I exclaim.
He’s priority number one, now that I know where in time I am.
“Your brother? Since when is your brother here?” Ammon asks, twisting around to see.
“He’s not here, but I know where he is. And he’s about to be—attacked.”
Ammon makes a face, “How do you—? Oh, right.”
He nods, understanding I’ve been here before and know where we are in our own timeline.
Tethys, however, ignores my pleas. Instead, she makes it clear I’m not to meddle in the workings of the past. Even if that’s where I may currently be stuck.
Shaking my head, I tear at her fur. What good is being here if we can’t change some of what went wrong in the first place?
“Are you kidding me? We have to go back for Baxten. He’s in trouble,” I say, trying to force her with my thoughts—get into her mind the way I had with Fenton at the Tree.
Instead, she practically chuckles, and continues to lead the Salamanders away from my friends and the Haven.
A small group of Salamanders edges nearer, slinking in and out of the snow, but barely touching it. A small gray bird with a white beak has joined them, flying along side.
~Tethys, be careful. Caelum is here.
Taking a quick direction change to the left, Tethys pulls further away from the assailants as she continues to put distance between us and the past version of me and the others. Our direction change led us directly into a large group of Salamanders as they creep out of the trees, blocking the way in front of us. Tethys gears up, deciding which direction to take next, but her momentary pause is enough time for the vultures to swoop in from the trees, beginning their attack against her shield. I know from experience, she can’t take much of this.
Their talons scrape against the bubble that keeps us safe, causing the edges to crackle and buckle.
“Whoa, what in the—?” Ammon screams, ducking his head and
as he tries to cover his eyes. “What are those things? Why is everything attacking?”
“They’re a part of Videus’ army. If they get inside Tethys’ shield, we’ll have to fight them off on our own.”
“Well, that’s super. How do we do that? I’m lucky to have clothes, let alone something to fend off crazed birds and monster-sized reptiles,” he says, breathlessly.
“Your guess is as good as mine. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. I don’t feel any closer to being able to protect Pendomus—or anyone else—than I was before,” I say, realizing the mark I’ve been given hasn’t translated to much of anything.
A surge of despair bubbles up at my utter lack of advancement.
“Wasn’t that the point of those trial thingies?” Ammon says, ducking again as another vulture swoops in, right in front of his face.
“I’m not finished,” I mutter. “So it looks like we have to fend for ourselves.”
17
Runa
IF SOMETHING DOESN’T CHANGE QUICKLY, this could be the reason I never make it back to help my friends. The reason Trae was out in the middle of nowhere and the Lateral was decimated.
I can’t let that happen.
I have to do something. I can’t sit here while everything is destroyed. Giving up the reigns of control to Tethys, I close my eyes to center myself.
All the sounds around me, the birds, the jagged breath of Tethys, the frightened inhalations of Ammon—it flitters away like snowflakes in the wind. For a moment, everything is completely silent. Then, a string of energy explodes from my chest, painting the air in pink light behind my closed eyelids. The string flows from myself, to the nearest Salamander, then the next, as it splits itself in every direction and touching each and every dark body. The energy enters the Salamanders, calming the electrical storms and fills their own energy with calm.
I focus on the feeling the string resonates—love. Why love, I don’t really know. But love is all I feel, I’m consumed by it. And so are they.
The Salamanders begin to back off. Some in the front drop, as if bowing their heads in reverence.
“What the—?” Ammon begins.
Once connected, I feel each and every Salamander’s inner essence as if they’re an extension of myself. They don’t really want to be here. They don’t want to be attacking—but they must if I let go of my embrace. It’s out of their control. Without needing to ask, they give way, granting safe passage to us. The vultures and juncos circle, clearly disrupted in their attack plan and left confused by their cohorts.
My heart widens, and I understand something I never really grasped before. The Salamanders aren’t evil. The birds probably aren’t either, but they were made that way. They’re made to fight. To be the minions of a madman.
Once there’s enough space between us and the Salamanders, Tethys bolts forward. She moves so swiftly I can’t feel any exertion from her. Ammon and I hang on tight as she glides along the snow, acting as one with her element.
The route is up to her as trees blur by and scenery shifts. Holding on just a little longer, I try to use my connection with the Salamanders to send a message.
Please, don’t hurt Baxten. Don’t hurt Baxten. Please.
The message is broadcast through the pink energy stream and into each of them. There’s no doubt they received the plea, but now it’s up to them if they can hold onto the message once I let go.
I try to search their minds, to find the one who will be nearing him soon. Glimpses of snow flash through my mind, pieces of clothing, people nearby. Through the support of the other Salamanders, I narrow in on the one with the mission.
In his mind, only one thing is on repeat. As if he’s not allowed to think anything else.
Take him. Take him. Take him.
Trying to enter his mind is like trying to pick an incredibly difficult lock. Without proximity, my energy thread isn’t able to connect to him the way I’d like, even though I can still feel him.
Releasing my energy string to the rest of the Salamanders, I focus solely on him. I can sense he’s getting closer to Baxten and I need to act fast. I push the pink cord from my chest, forcing it to find him and disrupt his orders.
The Salamander falters for a moment, temporarily overcome by the sensations of connection and love. He remembers his mission, but can’t remember why it’s necessary. As if on automatic, he continues toward Baxten. Through his own eyes, I see him slinking nearby, trying not to be seen.
~Let him be. He’s no harm to you.
The Salamander isn’t interested in harm. Not to himself or to Baxten. Yet, he struggles against his programming and my intentions. Despite our connection, he wraps himself around Baxten’s feet. I’m not strong enough to stop him. My connection with him is weak, as my energy slips, depleting.
I feel light-headed, but force myself to focus. There has to be a way. I’m so close. I reach out again, but flames burst from the Salamander’s feet, consuming them both. In the distance, I can hear screaming—my own screams from before.
My energy and connection to the Salamander fails, and I’m falling… falling. Then, suddenly back in my body, limp and consumed.
“Are you okay?” Ammon asks, turning around.
My eyelids droop and my limbs feel so heavy.
I’ve failed. I was so close to saving Baxten and I’ve failed.
Something doesn’t feel right. My insides are twisting and turning, like they’ve been chewed up and spat back together. Whatever I did, whatever power I drew on, it’s potent and isn’t easily controlled.
“Are you okay, Runa? What happened?” Ammon asks, his eyes filled with worry.
“I was trying to— ” I sigh. What do I say? “I was trying to do too much at once, I think.”
“Well, whatever you did, at least it helped bust us out of that tight spot,” he says. “Do we have a plan now? What to do next?”
My mind is fuzzy; the texture of chalk that’s soaked too long in water.
“I’m—I’m not sure yet.”
Tethys offers her suggestion, letting me know she believes we should lay low. Rebuild our strength for another time.
Baxten. He’s still taken.
I shake my head.
~No, Tethys. We have to get to Baxten. I need to find out what my friends know.
It becomes painfully obvious that I can’t connect to them now. Not in this timeline. I need to find a way to gather the information I need, without them realizing I’m here. Who knows what kind of cataclysmic event I could cause, or disruption to the timeline they’re on.
Tethys tries to sway me against going to the Helix, but a part of her knows I won’t let this go. Even if I have to go alone, I’m going to get him back.
Tethys huffs, giving in. She knows I have to try.
She turns, using the snow to glide us on our new trek. After a few moments, I realize we’re veering too far off to the western horizon. The Helix is more east than this.
Where is she going?
Tethys is serious, and quiet. Her mission is driving her, even if I’m not sure of the route.
The area is remote, the trees giving way to a large, open field of blowing snow. In the distance, huge rocky outcroppings become apparent. It’s beautiful, as the low sunlight filters through the purplish sky. Random, natural birds fly across the sky in their oblivious voyage to wherever they’re going.
Suddenly, the ground appears to be coming to an abrupt end in front of us. My pulse picks up as much speed as Tethys does.
What is she doing?
Gravity takes a moment to catch up with us as Tethys launches the three of us into the air, shooting straight off the ledge. Suspended inside her shield and barely latching on to her body, my muscles tense, bracing for the impact. Ammon screams, ducking his head down as we drop. I dig my ankles in to her sides and squeeze, hoping not to lose contact as we hit the bottom.
I can’t take my eyes off the way the sunlight streams from behind me as it hits the tops of the sno
wy mountains in the horizon. The sky has pulled in a brilliant spectrum of orange to deep blue and mixes of purples. I’m mesmerized by the absolute stillness and serenity of the moment. Right now, right here, it feels like time stands still. But it only lasts for that moment.
The explosion of ice and snow slams my body against hers and Ammon, but miraculously, we maintain our position on her back. The impact opens a gigantic crater in the ground, and we slip quickly into the black abyss of running water deep below. Tethys’ shield keeps us safe, bound by her protection, despite the suffocatingly close quarters.
My eyes take far too long to adjust to the extreme difference in light and dark as we dive deeper into the water. The sun’s rays penetrate in strange pockets of light, illuminating a part of Pendomus I’d never even known existed. And so close to where I lived my whole life. After a few moments of gliding along to gather her strength, Tethys takes off like a rocket as she connects fully to the water around us. Just like on the snow, the water reacts to her, propelling us forward as much as her will is.
Perhaps more.
Everything is different here, magical. As if time has frozen instead of the water. Stone pillars and enormous outcroppings surround us, but so far, no other signs of life. As we move deeper, carved in the outcroppings, a large hand appears to be bidding us forward. A second later, we pass a monolithic face hidden in the depths. My body is barely the size of one of the enormous stone eyeballs staring blankly back as us. Mesmerized, I notice an everblossom carved in the pupil and glowing faintly.
From somewhere to our left, the sounds of singing filters to my ears. Softly at first, but rising until the voice becomes distinctly human and tremendously loud. Tethys doesn’t seem bothered as she weaves in and out of the outcroppings with ease.
“Do you hear that?” I ask Ammon.
The Complete Pendomus Chronicles Trilogy: Books 1-3 of the Pendomus Chronicles Dystopian Scifi Boxed Set Series Page 41