Book of Dark #1: Always Stand Up
Page 21
Chapter 12
His Eminence
Slavizarus stood among the chanting followers, his face obscured, just like theirs, in the shadows of the long, dusty hood, and his body crisscrossed, just like theirs, by the straps of the back-mounted scabbards that housed his deadly, majjik-laden sword. And he was cloaked, just as they were, in the long, flowing robes that symbolized the right to walk upon Gaia as free Majjikons—vestments of the sacred Terralyte Order.
He was deep within the Terralyte Temple, in a cave-like space known as the Chamber of Ceremonies, the outer edges of which had been claimed by shadows, lending it a sense of the infinite. It was by design that such little light was allowed in, for the darkness helped minds focus—upon Gaia, and upon Kaos, and upon their collective Powers.
“Ruu’hai, Zennhai!” they chanted—Rise, Master.
Their words shook the vast space, and as their voices reverberated off the dark Hornblende walls, the sound took on an ominous presence.
Like the others, Slavizarus watched the central altar which, though visually little more than an arrangement of smooth crystalline and graphite formations, was, in truth, the pinnacle of energy within the entire caliginous structure.
If the next Master of the Terralyte Order was, indeed, among them, the altar would tell them. It would light up with the energy of the earth, of the sun, of the moon, and of chaos. But unlike the rest of the cloaked figures, Slavizarus was not awaiting answers, for he already knew. No, he was waiting to rejoice as his master, his friend, reclaimed his rightful position at the helm of the Order.
Out of the darkness stepped a lone figure, a being whose real name had been long forgotten by most.
But Slavizarus could never forget. The name of his dearly loved childhood friend—the leader for whom he had combed the entirety of Gaia, searching for century upon unrelenting century—was etched into his very soul.
And now, here he stood, an emaciated shadow towering over the mighty Terralytes, on the verge of ascension, about to continue where his father left off. Although wrapped in the sacred hooded robes of the Order, Slavizarus’ master bore no scabbard and no weapon. For he needed none.
He commenced his ascent to the altar with unfaltering purpose, climbing the dark sapphire stairs at an unhurriedly deliberate pace, commanding attention with his every stride.
All eyes followed his progress assiduously, and, once he had crested the last step, began to flit between him and the glistening rocks of the altar. For only the altar could confirm or deny whether the looming figure stood before it was truly the heir of Hozar, whether he was truly their new Master…
From the azure and jade crystals rose a swirl of purple mist, which curled around in space like a wisp blown by an absent wind. It approached the figure, backed away, and then dispersed once more into chaos.
Invitation extended, the crystals pulsated with their innate glows, like the swiveling beacons of a dozen lighthouses on a foggy night, awaiting the claimant to present himself.
And in that moment, Slavizarus felt his master’s eyes find him in the crowd. Though still invisible under the hood, he sensed hesitation in them.
It was merely a fleeting pause, of course, and not entirely uncalled for, as both Slavizarus and his master knew that, if assertions made were found to be false, the wrath of the gathered Terralytes would have to be contended with. Not that this would unduly trouble a Majjikon as powerful as his master, but the death of precious Terralytes at his hand was not a matter that would much please the heir of Hozar.
In the mind of Slavizarus, though, there was not an inkling of doubt over what decision the crystals would pronounce. He gave a discretely minute nod, so that none but his master could detect the reply.
And, in an instant, the shadow was upon the crystalline altar, pressing its flattened palms onto the spiked formations.
His touch roused the thick violet energy that rushed out and wreathed his entire body, swirling around him, performing the requisite evaluations.
In the dim glow that emanated from the churning light, the faces of the assembled devout were revealed, every one intently awaiting the verdict.
“Ruu’hai, Zennhai! Ruu’hai, Zennhai!” The chanting intensified. The hooded disciples wanted—nay, needed—a leader. A strong one. They willed him to be it.
Although it was his body that the swirling lights seemed to be scrutinizing, what they were infinitely more interested in was his soul. And so, before Slavizarus knew it, the lights were one with his master, within him, a part of him.
Then, just as quickly, they were not.
The purple wisps swirled away and withdrew back to their home within the altar where they lay in contemplation.
The chanting quietened down and the gathered Majjikons exchanged mutters and glances.
But Slavizarus remained steadfast, as did the looming shadow atop the steps.
And when the frenzied majjikal sparks finally shot out from the altar and rained down Light and Power upon the figure, their message was clear. They had confirmed him to be the true Master of the Terralyte Order.
Chanting erupted again and crescendoed into a deafening cacophony. For the Terralytes’ wish had been granted. They had a new leader, one truly worthy of their worship.
Slavizarus beamed with pride at the figure by the altar—the heir of Hozar, one of the most powerful beings in the universe—and chanted along with the followers, overjoyed that his master was now their Master also.
The collective powers continued to rain down upon the shadow, not only designating him the Sacred Keeper of Majjik, but also, and more importantly, bequeathing upon him the ultimate title of His Eminence.
Then, with the ceremony complete, the vivacious crystals returned to their placid state.
His Eminence raised an energized fist of turquoise and violet into the air, and the ring of followers fell silent.
“Brave and loyal Terralytes” he said, his ancient, but in no way frail voice carrying clear and strong through the crisp, cold air in the Chamber.
“You may now address me by the title.”
The followers fell to their knees and bowed their heads with respect and fear. “Your Eminence!” they each uttered, acknowledging their new Master, their admiration plain to see. Slavizarus, only too happy to pay his dues, did the same.
“My dear disciples.” His Eminence gestured them up and they rose on his command. “I shall not mislead you with pleasant falsehoods. The task that stretches out before us is undeniably daunting. But remember this. We fight neither for ourselves nor for fickle glory. Not for coin, nor material pleasures. We fight for one thing, and one thing alone: the rights of Majjikons to live freely upon Mother Gaia.”
The disciples threw their fists into the air and cheered. “For Gaia,” came one cry. “Gayya tarakkab yehatiij,” came another—may Gaia guide us to victory.
His Eminence threw the hood of his cloak off his skull-like head to a sudden swell of surprise, for few had been allowed to see his face so openly before. He raised a hand at his new devotees and they quietened down once more.
“Now, some of you may have your doubts,” he continued, climbing down the sapphire steps as deliberately as he had ascended them. “Perhaps you wonder exactly how a pitifully small band such as ours could even think of accomplishing so mammoth a task. And you would be right. For retaking the land from submissive Majjikons and unworthy humans is a task which will inevitably be fraught with peril.”
A ripple passed though the assembled worshipers as they glanced uncertainly at each other. They had not expected to hear of doubt and hesitation—not from the heir of Hozar.
But a silent smile plucked at Slavizarus’s mouth.
“And while possession of a tome such as Book of Dark would have secured our victory,” His Eminence continued, “alas, the Book remains lost. Claimed by the Kaos-ether.”
He was now walking amongst the crowd, level with them, but not one of them, his every move making his superiority over them abund
antly clear.
Coming to a stop beside Slavizarus, the Master turned to face his new devotees and, with perfectly practiced drama, reached into his cloak. The Terralytes held their breath.
“What I do possess, though,” said His Eminence, pulling free four humble looking pieces of parchment, “are these pages from the original manuscript, handed down to me by Hozar himself!”
As he lifted the pages over his head for all to see, the gathered Terralytes erupted in roars of approbation which shook the dark Hornblende walls of the Chamber.
And although His Eminence had to scream his next words to be heard over the din, his voice somehow maintained its air of authority, of supremacy. “I promise you this, my loyal followers. I, the true heir of Hozar, and the one and only Guardian of Gaia, will take back this land!”
Slavizarus, who thought it impossible for the cheering to get any louder, was proven wrong as the Terralytes flared up in celebration, their doubts and uncertainties now quashed.
His Eminence felt his wizened face struggle under the weight of a smile, but he managed to stifle the emotion, for now was not the time for such frivolities.
He uttered his next words quietly, so that only he and Slavizarus could hear. He said them softly, as if they were part of a revered morning prayer.
“For all of Gaia… All of this and more…” He turned to look straight at Slavizarus. “This is our land.”
To Be Continued…
The adventures of Keane, Brok and Zara will continue in:
BOOK OF DARK
Volume I: Rise of the Terralytes
Book II: Heir of Hozar
For more information on
The Book of Dark Saga
including episode guides, future release dates,
box set information, and other news items,
please visit the Book of Dark website at:
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