by Troy Hooker
Sam understood now. Darkness imitates Light, it cannot create. The only thing the Dark Lords could do with the Promise of the Creator was to take a part of it away so it sounded like it favored them.
“The Council believes I am the third prophet because of the dreams I have.” His heart pounded so loudly he wondered if Nuriel could hear it.
“To the Light, my son, you are called Irin, the revealer of the Darkness. The last of the third prophets before the return of the Creator.”
A knot formed in Sam’s stomach. It was all so much to take in at once. Not only was he the son of a Watcher, but he would also be the one to usher in the return of the God of both worlds, Creator of all things.
“How am I supposed to reveal the Darkness if the Dark One goes free?” Sam shivered, even in the humid air.
“One characteristic of the Creator above all others is the value of freedom. It is written in the laws from the foundation of Creation. All other aspects of Creation are built upon it. If there is no freedom, there are no other true emotions. Without it, there is no choice to love—or to hate.”
Sam nodded.
“I understand, but …”
“Allowing the Darkness and the Light to coexist—it gives ultimate authority to the chooser to determine right or wrong. One must acknowledge the Darkness to allow the Light to prevail—if that’s what is chosen.”
Sam’s heart beat so fast he felt as though he would fall over.
“So by releasing him, I will be letting them choose.”
Nuriel held his hand out toward his son, placing his hand gently on his chest. Upon the warm touch, his anxiety instantly ceased, allowing his heart to slow to normal. Sam stared open-mouthed at the man in front of him, unsure of what to say. It was as if this man knew him, inside and out, what he was thinking, what he was feeling. There was a connection there that even the most skeptical person could not ignore.
“You will have many questions, and I will be able to answer them for you in time. But for now, I do not have much longer with you,” he paused, his eyes showing deep concern. “What I have to tell you is of utmost importance, and you must listen carefully before our time expires.”
Sam nodded slowly.
“I’m listening.”
Nuriel closed his eyes for a moment, as if contemplating what to say next. His young strong face showed traces of fear and anxiety, even for an immortal being.
“Even though the Creator has promised to restore all things as they were before the fall of Watchers and men, many will turn to the Darkness and will become lost to the Light forever.”
He paused, turning and pointing at a deformed young man cowering from the intense Light just inside the edge of the alleyway.
“For them, it is too late. They will never be able to choose the Light, for they have hardened their hearts to the Creator. But for many, they must see the Darkness for what it truly is.”
Sam scowled.
“Why can’t they see the danger of the Darkness?”
Nuriel smiled.
“You have had some wonderful guides along the way to show you the dangers of living in Darkness, but others, I am afraid, are not so fortunate.”
“What can I do?”
“The Council is blinded from a deception about the reaches of the Darkness. Kachash, the fourth Dark Lord, has orchestrated a plan to deceive all Descendants into believing the Darkness is no longer growing,” he paused. “It is, in fact, greater and more dangerous than it has ever been.”
Sam remembered the horrific faces of the Dark Lords Sayvon showed him in the secret tower of the City Center. Kachash, the Lord of Deception, was the only one not imprisoned. He wondered what part of Ayet Sal held the Dark Lords.
“The Creator’s Promise of restoration is indeed true, but the people of the Light must unite to defeat the Darkness, in Lior and in Creation. Without their help, Lior will be destroyed.”
It was strange—an immortal being of the spiritual realm, asking him for help.
“Why not just tell them they are being lied to? Can’t you meet with the Chancellor and join forces?”
“It was the Descendants who banned us from interfering, not the Watchers. I assure you that I did everything I could while in the City to convince them otherwise. They will not listen because the curse is just too strong,” Nuriel paused. “And we believe there are some Descendants within your city who have aided the Darkness in their deception.”
Now there was no doubt a spy existed. The question was, what could Sam do to help?
“What do I need to do?”
Nuriel gazed compassionately at his son.
“The Sha’ar gate was the first arch ever to be opened between the two worlds,” he told Sam. “The original gate for the spiritual world, allowing the passage of all celestial beings to and from Creation.”
“Yes, I know. The Dark arch.”
“Yes, the first true test of the Creator’s power over the Dark One.”
“I’m not sure I understand.”
Nuriel smiled.
“Long ago, when the Creator first banished him to Earth for his acts upon humanity, the Dark One and his followers mounted an attack upon the gate. He did all he could to reopen it, sacrificing many in the destruction, but was unsuccessful.”
“What happened to the gate?”
“It was imprinted with the souls the Dark One sent to attack it, but it was otherwise unaffected.”
“It turned the arch Dark, didn’t it?”
Nuriel nodded.
“Shortly thereafter it was hidden, never to be used again … until now.”
***********************
Sam looked at the man before him, and even though he had just sent images and emotions flowing through his mind that he could not deny, for a moment he doubted Nuriel’s intentions.
Mr. Sterling said there would be some that would try to take advantage of his weaknesses, but he never expected this, nor was he prepared for it. Emotions of all kinds raced to the surface, and even though he contained them, no doubt Nuriel could see right through it.
“It is time for the Sha’ar gate to be opened once more,” he said genuinely.
“Why is that necessary?”
“It is the only way to remove the curse that has blinded all of Lior and show the true face of the Darkness.”
“But the people of Creation won’t stand a chance if the Dark Forces are able to unite again,” Sam sputtered.
Nuriel looked at his son, seeing the doubt he reserved.
“I understand your concern, and you would be correct if …”
Suddenly Sam knew. Freedom. People must be given a choice to follow the Light or the Darkness. Yes, opening the gate would give the Darkness a chance to regain its strength, but in doing so, it would also reveal itself to humanity, and to Lior.
“The opening of the gate removes the deception,” Sam whispered in the stale air. “And the Watcher Stone is the key to opening it.”
“Yes. It is the one and only gate stone of the Watchers,” Nuriel said quietly. “As you are the only one to open it.”
Instantly, he knew what his father implied. Yes, the stone was the key to the gate. But really, he was the key to opening it. He was the true key of the Watchers.
He felt sick to his stomach. Turning behind him, he heaved his afternoon’s lunch onto the stone street. This … all of it … was more than he could take.
His father helped him upright, once again placing his healing hand upon Sam’s head, instantly removing the queasiness from his son’s body. Then he glanced behind him as if hurried for time.
“There is a war coming, son, and it will be the war to end all wars. All of Creation and Lior will fight the forces of Darkness, and they will fight for their lives.”
He had no response to his father’s words, and yet he
didn’t need to. Sam knew this wasn’t something he could say no to, because there was no other way.
The Council and the people of Lior would not understand this strategy, and he had a feeling his father would ask him to do it without their knowledge, specifically for that reason. If they knew his plan, they would likely lock him up until it was sorted out.
But there was still the problem of the Stone that Arazel had taken from him. How could he get it back?
Again Nuriel smiled, seeming to already know his thoughts.
“Fortunately, son, what Arazel has taken is nothing but a replica. When I found out Kachash sent Arazel for the Stone and for you, I planted it there shortly after you arrived in the Old City.”
Again Sam remembered the rush of wind past his face in the vault. He wondered why he would have to plant a bogus Stone in the library to fool Kachash, but then it hit him. He shuddered to think what would have happened if he wouldn’t have been able to give Arazel the fake Stone.
“Was that you in the Old City library when we were there?”
“Yes.”
“And the one who produced the cloud of Light outside the Old City?”
“Of course! You think I would pass up an opportunity to spend time with my son?” he laughed, making Sam smile through his tears. It was a sound that was familiar to him, even though he had never heard it before.
“The real holder of the Key is unaware he even has it in his possession. I spent much time with Talister Calpher … enough to ensure that with the completion of his mentorship, he would receive the Stone as his own. You will need to retrieve the real one from him.”
Sam nearly choked as he remembered the Stone in Talister’s bracelet. It was nearly identical to the one they had retrieved from the artifact vault. How could I not remember that?
“But it will need to be done quickly. You may take your friends with you, and you will only need to say my name to get the Stone from Talister, but do not tell anyone else. The truth will come out in its own time. Don’t delay. The gate must be opened soon. Any delay and there may be no stopping the Darkness.”
“Father, I don’t know where the gate is.”
Nuriel smiled widely at Sam’s calling him father.
“Trust Gus, son. He will help you find the gate. I must go now.”
“When will I see you again?” Sam tried to ask, but as he did, the soft glow around Nuriel suddenly began to grow steadily brighter until it looked like it had completely absorbed him. Suddenly Sam’s father was gone.
***********************
Sam reached out into the essence of Light that remained, but it vanished before he could touch it. He stood, listening for a moment to the silence of his once again absent father, but heard only the rhythmic sound of the dragon’s breathing behind him. With the Light gone, the hollow figures began to emerge from the darkened buildings and, in zombie-like fashion, slowly started to make their way toward him.
Sam turned to find the dragon bending his long neck down toward him, his gleaming eyes level with Sam’s. He then lowered his giant wing to the ground for Sam to board.
Sam glanced once more toward the street where Nuriel had appeared, but saw only Darkness and more Dark figures as they poured from every crack and opening in the haunted village.
Eager to be away from the place, Sam clambered up Orono’s wing and into the basket. He was instantly very tired, as though he had been given a massive dose of drugs to put him to sleep. He lay down in the basket as the great reptile leapt from the cobblestone street and soared into the air. As they cleared the mist, the last sight Sam saw before drifting off was a vast moon casting eerie shadows into the night sky. There was so much to work through in his mind, so much to consider.
Chapter Eighteen
Sha’ar Gate
Sam awoke to the soft thump of Orono’s feet on the tall grass. It was daybreak, and right away Sam recognized the large weeping pines of the Keeper’s garden.
Shatal emerged from his cabin and hurried to the dragon’s side, clasping his hands in the air and calling out excitedly in a language Sam could only guess was Hebrew.
Bleary-eyed, Emma, Gus, and Lillia emerged from the Keeper’s cabin and, upon seeing the dragon and Sam climbing out of the basket, broke into a run through the grass toward them, stumbling as they attempted to wipe the sleep from their eyes.
Sam slid down the dragon’s wing and hit the grass just as his friends reached them. He scooped Emma and Lillia into his arms in one swoop, then grabbed Gus around the neck and squeezed him. Emma cried softly as they all four hugged in a circle, and even a misplaced tear could be seen falling down Lillia’s cheek. This was the only place he wanted to be, and he knew they felt the same.
“Welcome back lad!” Shatal slapped him on the back. “You did good bringing Orono back safely!”
Sam turned and shook his hand.
“Thank you sir, but actually, it was Orono that brought me back safe.”
The great dragon turned his massive head toward Sam and bowed slightly, as if to say thank you. Sam nodded back toward him. They definitely had a connection that Sam didn’t quite understand yet, but he welcomed it.
“Samuel!” Mrs. Sterling called as she, Sam’s grandfather, Mr. Sterling, Miss Karpatch, Cooley, Sayvon, and Talister Calpher walked up the pathway toward the Keeper and the four friends. Sam made greetings all around, including one rather awkward hug from Sayvon and an animated handshake from the wide-grinning Talister.
Sam gazed at the tall man’s wrist, watching the Watcher Stone as it glowed softly.
“The dragon’s return has shown us enough, m’ boy. We would like to formally welcome you to the family of Lior,” Talister said while still shaking his hand. “Personally I had my doubts, and I would be grateful if you forgive me, dear boy.”
Sam remembered his thoughts about Talister, that he could have been the one that was deceiving Lior, feeding false information to the Dark Lords. But after talking with Nuriel, something about the man was truly genuine, and now Sam understood the connection he had with him. Only a few days before, Sam had believed that Talister was making a promise to an unknown man to abduct him from Lior based on a prophecy, but now he was sure there was something behind his motive, something purer. The tall man before him in the long silky robe was his uncle, after all.
Who else could Talister have been talking about to the man in the tower? Certainly not the Sterlings. Perhaps another member of the Council who could be helping to hide such a great deception that much of Lior would believe the Darkness was, in fact, weaker than it had ever been?
Then it hit him all at once. Cooley. He was the head of the Seer Chamber, and the Seers were the only ones that could see events throughout Lior. Could he see have seen the growing Darkness outside the City? Was he perhaps also responsible for the deception of the condition of the library in the Old City?
Cooley would have been the one to report all incidents with the Seer chamber to the Council and the PO. Could he have hidden it from the other Seers in the chamber so easily?
The story was somewhat forced, but what else could make sense? There was only one way to find out.
***********************
Sam waded through the people toward the silent Cooley as his friends chatted with one another, each slapping him on the back as he passed. Sam reached out his hand, and Cooley reluctantly took it in his own, his hands ice cold even in the morning sun.
“Why haven’t you told the Council about the threat of growing Darkness?” he took a chance, gambling on his instincts.
Cooley glared at him, his eyes as cold as his hands. Immediately he withdrew his hand and put it at his side, backing away slightly. From his expression, Sam suddenly recognized him as the same man that stormed out of Chivler’s the same night he met his friends for the first time. No doubt Cooley had something to do with Chivler’s kidnap
ping.
“Why would I listen to an accusation made by a simple boy from Earth?” he said darkly.
Sam didn’t back down.
“Because you know I’m right. I’ve seen it in Ayet Sal. You are keeping information from the Council and PO.”
Cooley smiled casually.
“You are blind, as all of Lior is. A fool, on a fool’s errand.”
“Did you also lie to the Council about the library in Old Lior being destroyed?”
Cooley laughed.
“You really don’t know anything, do you? Except for that little mistake in the swamp where I killed a Giant and forgot to cover my tracks, the Darkness is less of a threat than it has ever been.”
“Maybe, but I found you out.”
Cooley’s eyes leveled, a look of sheer hatred crossing his face.
“You may have evaded the Metim in the forest when you first arrived and escaped Dark Lord Arazel, but now we have the key to open the gate. You will submit to the Darkness, and to the Dark One when he calls on you.”
Sam felt the blood rushing to his head, much like in the forest with Arazel.
“That’s where you are wrong. I will never submit to the Darkness, or to the Dark One. I will never lead the Metim anywhere.”
“You are mistaken, and it will cost you your life!” Cooley said angrily, suddenly drawing attention from the others around him.
“What’s the problem here?” Mr. Sterling hurried over to intervene.
Sam refused to take his eyes off Cooley, who was just beginning to break a sweat in the morning heat.
“I met a Watcher in Ayet Sal. He confirmed to me there is a curse over all of Lior to hide the truth of how strong the Darkness really is.”
Mr. Sterling stared at Sam, his expression unchanging, as if expecting more explanation. When he saw that Sam refused to take his eyes off Cooley, he turned to him.