Shadow of Okeaous

by W. M. Martin

  Maggie, still unsure about whether the lady in blue was being truthful, continued on and asked belligerently, “How are you here? I thought you were dead. I also thought that Okeaous was dead for that matter. Does anyone stay dead around here?”

  “It is true that I have been one with the Stream of Time for a long while, especially in regards to how time is gauged between earth and both sides of the Veil. As far as anyone ‘staying dead’, you must first understand that death as you know it is slightly skewed. When one leaves what you call life, they enter into the Stream of Time. There, every Kindred returns to the Source.”

  Maggie, still not comprehending, asked, “The Source?”

  “Yes, it is where all things from both sides of the Veil originate,” answered Avior.

  “Right, so I came from the Source?” Maggie asked, her question dripping with sarcasm.

  Avior gave a slight grin and replied, “In a manner of speaking. You are blood of my blood, Maggie, make no mistake about it. Only someone who carried the blood of one of the First Five could have repelled Okeaous in the Forever Forest in the way that you did.”

  Maggie remembered the tremendously powerful shield that surrounded her when Leviathan tried to attack her, she believed that it was merely Elliot protecting her, covering her with transfigured armor.

  “That was you?” Maggie questioned, with no desire to hide her disbelief.

  “It was indeed. The armor that surrounded you inside of the shield was once mine. Your totem’s likeness is on it to reflect your symbiotic link, but your armor actually came from the Pentagem itself. It is far stronger than any other Kindred’s armor, except for that of a member of the First Five or one of our last heirs. I told you, Maggie, I reside or rather, my essence resides in your blood,” responded Avior matter-of-factly.

  Maggie’s anger boiled over and she shouted, “Then why didn’t you save one of my parents? One of them had to share your blood, too!”

  Avior’s countenance fell slightly and she solemnly answered, “Yes, it was your mother. My power is only available to the last of my bloodline. It slumbers within all of my descendants, yet only manifests when the last living heir is in mortal danger. Once that power has been awakened, it cannot be put back to sleep. It is yours to use for the good of all life on earth, the surrounding galaxy if needs be, and in the Veil, on both sides. If the day comes when you have children of your own, they will receive that power as well and must carry it unknowingly. You are now the gatekeeper of an immeasurably heavy burden, Maggie.”

  Maggie countered, “I’m not your precious, last heir. My mom has a sister, but you already knew that didn’t you?”

  Avior replied coolly, “Of course I know about Ara. She is indeed blood of my blood as you are, but she unwittingly gave up the opportunity to achieve a power beyond that which she could ever have dreamed when she became a Fallen knight. That is why you are, in fact, my last heir, Maggie. Your survival is the key to passing on my strength through the future generations of our family, until such a time that my power is required again.”

  Maggie spat furiously, “You're not my family! My family is gone!”

  From behind Avior, a rolling mist poured out of the split in the darkness created by her radiance. The blazing starlight, which had earlier carried the voices of the Nexus through the nothingness, shone brightly on the strangely moving fog. Dazzling flecks of emeralds and rubies coalesced into a single sentient cloud and separated on either side of Avior. Two familiar beings took form in front of Maggie and the sight brought her to her knees.

  “Mom? Dad? How?” Maggie asked, too stunned to get back to her feet.

  The emerald embodiment of Mary Bennet stepped forward with her husband, Wallace, who himself sparkled with a ruby aura. They both stood directly in front of Maggie and each held out a hand for her to take. When she took her parents’ hands, they gently helped Maggie up and wrapped their resplendent arms around her. Maggie could actually feel their physical touch.

  Wallace wiped a tear away from Maggie’s cheek and said softly, “We are always with you, Maggie. Never forget that. Don’t grieve for us. Rejoice that we are together in the Source. Ours is only a temporary parting.”

  Mary gently added, “We are both so very proud of you. You will be a light in the coming darkness. Believe in yourself. We love you, Mags.”

  Maggie replied with joy in her heart, “I love you, too. Both of you, but why didn’t either of you tell me about Ara?”

  Mary replied softly, “You were kept from the knowledge of my sister for your own protection. Besides, would it have made a difference in any of the choices that you’ve made so far?”

  Maggie answered honestly, “I don’t really know, Mom. I know now that I have a crazy aunt on the other side of the Veil who probably wants me dead for reasons that I don’t understand. What happened between the two of you?”

  Mary answered, “I would only be able to tell you my side and only Ara could tell you hers. The truth lies in the middle. You will learn from me, what transpired between Ara and myself, when necessity demands it. For now, time is of the essence. Okeaous must be stopped and the Pentagem must be returned. You are the final heir of Avior’s bloodline who can harness her incredible power, Maggie. Follow the instructions of the scroll and you will have your answers in time.”

  “What scroll?” asked Maggie.

  “It’s time for us to go, Mags,” said Wallace.

  “What scroll, Dad? What’s Mom talking about?” Maggie asked again.

  “It is time for us to go,” said Mary, parroting the words of her husband.

  Maggie, relenting on the subject of the aforementioned scroll, asked, “Will I ever see either of you again? Please tell me.”

  Maggie’s parents both smiled and answered in unison, “Yes.”

  Wallace kissed Maggie on her forehead and counseled, “Remember, Maggie, your mom and I are always with you. You are our little miracle. Don’t allow yourself to be afraid of Okeaous or her acolytes. They are all lost and stumbling, blind and alone, through the dark. But there is hope. A single light can pierce the deepest darkness. Be the light.”

  With that, Mary and Wallace Bennett dissipated back into the mystical fog and returned to the Source which was far beyond Maggie’s reach. Maggie’s resolve had been restored with the touch of her parents’ hands and the sounds of their voices. She felt, if only for a moment, a twinge of self-pity, but remembered her vow that she would relinquish all of her power, if necessary, if only she could see them both again. Whether it was the Nexus or Avior that made it happen, Maggie had been granted her wish and either way, she was extremely grateful and resolved to give Avior’s words new credence.

  When Maggie stepped out of the Spire, she found that Nancy was waiting for her with bated breath.

  Nancy rushed up to Maggie and asked, “Well, what did the Nexus have to say?”

  Maggie replied with a renewed vigor, “Just what I needed to hear.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Nancy led the way to Kylie’s dorm room so that Maggie could speak with her as she had been promised before entering the Spire. When they walked into Kylie’s room they found her pouring over a simple scroll that had strange runes written on it. Maggie could tell that Kylie was shaken by her experience with the Eye of Kariagi just as Lucy had been. She walked over to Kylie and knelt down beside her.

  Kylie looked up from the unrolled page in her hands and said, “I know why you’re here, Maggie. I’m not sure how I know, but I do. I fell asleep and had the strangest dream. When I woke up, this scroll was on my pillow. I can’t read it, but in my dream, you could.”

  Maggie took the strange paper from Kylie and looked over it. Her eyes widened with understanding as the strange runes began to form words which neither Kylie nor Nancy could see. After she had finished reading it, Maggie rolled the scroll up and placed it in her sable cloak for safekeeping.

  “Thank you, Kylie. I have the answers that I need. I’m ready to go whenever you are,”
stated Maggie to an utterly confused Nancy.

  Before Maggie and Nancy left her room, Kylie said in a sad and hollow tone, “In my dream you died, Maggie.”

  Maggie simply smiled at Kylie and repeated, “Thank you, Kylie. You’ve been a true friend,” before leaving the dorm room to speak with Nancy.

  Nancy, visibly worried at Kylie’s parting words, asked, “Will you tell me nothing about what happened inside of the Nexus, Maggie?”

  Maggie, never even slowing her stride, responded, “I can’t, Nancy. You have to trust me. If not me, then trust the Wise Ones.”

  With that response, Nancy relented and continued on with Maggie to the highest room of the tallest tower at the Kindred Academy; the Avior enclave turret. Once they had reached the top of the impressive high-rise structure, Maggie walked confidently out toward the edge of the large opening which revealed the panoramic beauty beyond the Courtyard of Clovers.

  “I know that you are supposed to lead a charge against Okeaous’ castle, Nancy. You need to distract the Fallen so that I can confront Okeaous. I have to meet her alone. I’m supposed to go ahead of everyone else to make sure that you can all get there without stepping into a trap. Gather whoever you feel is able and enter the Macrocosm Chamber. I’ll send a signal and an omniport for all of you. When you arrive on the other side of the Veil, I’ll make sure that most of the Fallen are at your location. Be ready to fight,” instructed Maggie.

  Nancy was taken aback and asked, “An omniport that you’re just going to create between our side of the Veil, theirs, and vice versa? You don’t have the Pentagem, Maggie. How will you do that? I assumed that somehow the Spire would conjure an omniport to the castle, but, forgive me for saying, not a beginning Second Year. I can’t even enter Okeaous’ domain. How can you? How?”

  Maggie gave a slight grin and replied simply before jumping from the tower, “I’m the last heir of Avior.”

  Maggie tucked her arms to her sides and dove swiftly to the ground below. The Courtyard of Clovers, in all of its beauty, came rushing toward Maggie with steadily increasing momentum. As the wind raced furiously past Maggie and blew wildly through her hair, a blast of blue, arcing electricity coursed over her body and a powerful, crackling omniport exploded into existence only a few feet above the ground. As soon as Maggie disappeared into the sizzling, mystical portal, it snapped shut just as quickly and loudly as when it had materialized.

  Maggie’s omniport split the air on the Fallen’s side of the Veil. She was ejected from her omniport high above the tallest tower of Okeaous’ bleak and wretched castle. In contrast to Maggie’s initial breach of the dark and decaying side of the Veil, this time, the Dark Lady’s stronghold was alive with activity from far below. Maggie knew now that Okeaous had allowed her to enter before with relative ease. That would not be the case this time.

  Maggie plummeted in the direction of the yard where the entrance to the Keep was the most heavily guarded, and Elliot wrapped his mystical form around her and brought forth her mighty sapphire wings. Once Maggie gained sufficient lift, she circled the fortress twice before she spotted the perfect opening in the middle of three Fallen knights on patrol. She leaned forward and tucked her wings so as to achieve terminal velocity as quickly as possible and rocketed towards her chosen clearing in the main courtyard of the castle. As she dove headlong toward the swiftly approaching ground, Maggie’s form was transfigured into a glistening sapphire projectile. The powerful armor of Avior washed over her entire body and due to its incomparable properties, the magical suit of protective plating afforded Maggie unparalleled safety and security.

  The fearlessness rushing through every fiber of Maggie’s being was bolstered by the blending of Mary, Wallace and Avior’s combined essences. Their integrated power, in tandem with her own, gave Maggie preternaturally heightened senses. She could perceive things faster than ever before and her might felt limitless. Maggie was determined to open an enormous omniport for the Guardians to come through and lay siege to the dark fortress. She would also scythe through every Fallen who was foolish enough to get in her way. She had come for the Pentagem, and she would sooner die than fail her quest.

  Maggie landed in the center of the three Fallen knights with such concussive force that it blasted them off of their feet and sent them careening onto their backs, where they all landed completely unconscious. The cacophonous sound of her entrance to the heavily guarded fortress alerted every Fallen to her immediate location. With swift precision, the area around the young Kindred flooded with dark warriors, all with weapons in hand, ready to cut the intruder down. Maggie wordlessly looked around at her would-be captors and smiled as her beautiful face was slowly revealed from behind her magically ornate, sapphire falcon helmet.

  Lieutenant Ara marched to the fore of the black sea of armor, made entirely of Fallen knights, and said with a sneer, “The Dark Lady told me that you would come for the Pentagem, Maggie, but I doubt even she believed that you would be foolish enough to return so soon. Oh, by the way, how is my dear sister? I hope she’s not feeling too under the weather.”

  Maggie kept her anger towards the Lieutenant in check and answered, “My mom has entered the Stream of Time and is with my dad. They are together again.”

  Lieutenant Ara said flatly, “I’m a little surprised that you’re so calm about their loss. I know the burden of loss myself, as do all of the Fallen. You would do well to join our ranks and serve the Dark Lady, not seek to fight with her over the Pentagem. Her powers are great. She could help you to become stronger than you could possibly imagine. Join us, Maggie.”

  “I think I’ll take my chances and return what was stolen from the academy, thanks,” replied Maggie sarcastically.

  Lieutenant Ara snapped, “Your parents were just as blind to the power which was offered to them. Don’t worry though. You’ll see them both again, very soon. You were unwise to come to this castle all alone.”

  Maggie, with unshakable confidence, stated in reply, “I’m never alone.”

  And with that, Maggie quickly dropped to one knee and struck the ground of the courtyard with her sapphire-studded gauntlet. Maggie was immediately surrounded by an impenetrable clear-blue shield, which formed a protective dome around her entire body. Lieutenant Ara was poised to give the order to attack when from the top of Maggie’s shield a blinding light shot straight up towards the heavens. The closer that the light came to the stars overhead, the more clearly that the form of a falcon could be made out by the dark warriors below. As the radiant beacon reached its apex, the ear-splitting cry of a falcon echoed out into the expanse and the signal exploded into the endless blackness of space, which bore its star-strewn gaze down on each side of the Veil in equilibrium.

  Lieutenant Ara looked around and began to laugh at the spectacle, followed closely by her troops.

  “That was lovely, Child, but useless. I believe you were saying something about how you’re never alone? You still seem to be that way to me!” Lieutenant Ara jeered amid the chorus of her subordinates’ grim laughter.

  Suddenly the thick and oppressive air around the black fortress took on the smell of burnt ozone. The scent was growing so heavy in intensity that the Fallens’ attentions were taken directly from Maggie, who was still encased in her clear-blue shell, to the entire enclosure just outside of the black Keep. With a massive explosion of lightning issuing forth from Maggie’s protective encasing, the single largest omniport that any of the Fallen had ever witnessed, boomed into the rear of the courtyard. The immense oviform glowed brightly and rippled with crackling, blue electricity. A lone figure stepped out of the portal; it was Nancy and she was quickly followed by all five of the academy’s Clan Leaders, who in turn were followed by no less than one hundred Praetorians and seemingly every available new Second Year student.

  Maggie turned to face her instructors from the safety of her magical force field and loudly asked, “Are you all ready?”

  Mr. O’Sullivan shouted with raw excitement, “Yeah, Maggie! W
e’re ready!”

  Maggie turned back around to find that Lieutenant Ara was now completely covered in her oily, black armor with the semblance of a barracuda on its helmet. The wicked Lieutenant braced a sword with jagged teeth all along one side of the blade. Lieutenant Ara slithered past the protective dome around Maggie so as to engage the Guardians who had entered her master’s side of the Veil.

  Before leaving Maggie behind to confront what she viewed as nothing more than a large contingent of impudent interlopers, Ara tapped the inaccessible barrier around her niece with the blade of her sword and threateningly promised, “To be continued.”

  Maggie looked up to the brightly shining stars in the sky. She spread her armor-plated arms so that her sapphire gauntlets were pressed against the impervious shield. She closed her eyes and allowed the tsunami of power within herself to build until she could no longer contain its force behind the walls of her mind.

  Maggie opened her glowing eyes slowly and whispered, “Let’s go, Elliot.”

  When the dome around Maggie exploded, the young Avior was shot into the stratosphere, leaving behind a small crater in the ground where she had stood. With blinding speed, harnessed by her mystical wings’ use of negative mass, Maggie was propelled beyond the clouds. Had it not been for her ancestral armor which was now a living part of her, the force of the ejection would have crushed Maggie’s internal organs. The supersonic shockwave caused by her takeoff was so loud, that it continued to echo inside of the helmets of the warring Guardians and Fallen, long after Maggie was out of sight.

  Maggie, soaring far above Okeaous’ stronghold, asked Elliot through their telepathic link, “Elliot, can you sense Okeaous inside of the fortress? I’m gonna need you to find her and get me to her. Everyone’s counting on us. Do you think that we’re high enough to gain the speed that we’ll need to break into the castle?”

  Elliot, still enjoying his newfound understanding of sarcasm and humor, answered, “From this height, I would be shocked if we did not land under the castle. Prepare yourself, Mags.”