THE VROL TRILOGY

by SK Benton

  "I grew three centimeters in height while you were away, Papi," the little girl said as she continued to concentrate on her surprisingly detailed drawing. Then, looking up with her doe-like brown eyes, she said, "And I missed you every minute you were gone."

  Jumping up, she sailed through the air, landing on top of her parents, where the three had a family hug that lasted a good 30 minutes.

  Feral Clan and the local population threw a goodbye party for Max and his family that evening. He had become quite the celebrity and was well liked, even by those who considered him an enemy at first, such as Adam and Marko. He had completely restored Adam's wand, and had even added some extra functionality to it (but still made it subject to the whims of Dons, Jessica and Pandy), so he would be able to assist his clan to the utmost of his abilities. Marko's transformation was the oddest thing that Max had experienced in his few days in Hollywood. It was almost as if he was brain-wiped. Of course, he still maintained his brusque personality, but he had an intense desire to protect and serve - like a lycan from the Rhönen Dominion.

  Liliana and Pandy ran around, waving long ribbons through the air in time with the beat of Lennie's band. They had actually learned a couple of ancient Rob Zombie songs, thanks to Jennie having brought Max's audio crystal along, which contained roughly sixteen million songs from over the centuries. Max had repaired an old binary storage unit and made it so Lennie could listen to copies of the hundreds of songs that Max had given him. One thing was certain - Lennie's band was going to have the largest repertoire in the world - his world, anyway.

  Michael and Gabriel stood off to the side, watching as people milled about, occasionally extending their wings out on request.

  "It's like they're showing off or something, isn't it?" Max asked Jennie, who was comfortably seated on his lap. She just giggled and leaned back into him.

  "Hey, if you got it, then why not flaunt it? But you're my angel, sweetie. Wings or not, you're my angel," she said lovingly.

  Chapter 23 - Tongass or Bust

  After waking up, Max, Jennie and Liliana finished packing their items in preparation for their departure and were relaxing, when Draagh contacted them via their comms.

  "My children! I do hope that you have had sufficient rest."

  "Oh yeah. But Draagh, when are we leaving?" asked Max.

  "I believe we can have a leisurely breakfast, my boy. Being as we are slipping to the location there is no great hurry. Perhaps young Liliana could assist me in the preparation of another morning meal for our friends here before departure?"

  "Yes, Grandfather. I would enjoy that a great deal. Shall I also make more delicious rabbit smoothies? It seemed yesterday that everyone enjoyed theirs immensely," asked the little girl, apparently unaware that everyone had earlier dumped her liquefied creations.

  "If you want to I think it would be fine, sweetie," said Jennie, not wanting to ever discourage her daughter from being creative in any way - but at the same time hoping that Draagh would distract the girl from making her noxious concoction again. Jennie had eaten raw rabbit on many occasions, but couldn't really take them liquefied. Something about it was so wrong.

  The Gunnarssons walked down the stairs from their room and met up with Draagh and Michael, who were, oddly enough, sitting at a table and playing backgammon.

  "I trust you all rested sufficiently, yes?" asked Draagh, in his usually odd manner.

  "Yes, Grandfather… and Abuelito. I am personally excited for today's excursion. Another location to explore," said Liliana.

  "Lili loves travel. When we get home, we'll need to take her to the Caribbean. You up for it, Max?" asked Jennie. "I already promised her, so it's not like you really have a lot of choice in the matter."

  Max snickered and kissed his wife on the cheek, more than willing to go anywhere in the galaxy with her.

  "Where we are going today is quite cold, is it not?" asked Liliana.

  Draagh and Michael both nodded in agreement. It happened to be late winter, so their target destination would be sufficiently chilly.

  "Hey, I'll be right back," said Max as he walked outside and Draagh took Liliana to prepare breakfast. Max wanted to chat a bit with Jessica and Gabriel, as they had been spending an unusual amount of time together.

  Going into Seven Sins he saw the two seated on a couch, where Gabriel was recounting a tale of a battle fought centuries before. Jessica had always been fascinated with historical facts and fiction, and was relatively certain that Gabriel's stories were accurate.

  "Hey you two, enjoying some down time before the team heads out?" asked Max.

  "Yes we are, Max. In fact, as we are merely 3D slipping to our destination I would like to take Jessica with us. I believe she will enjoy the scenery."

  The archangel looked at his lycan friend and continued, "You will need to bring warm clothing. Do you possess any?"

  "I have a sweater and a jacket. Should that be fine?"

  "If not we will simply conjure something up for you. In fact, do not even worry about extra clothing. We will simply address the situation as we encounter it."

  "Yeah, I wanted to ask you about that. Draagh wants to go up north, and I never really told him that I was feeling a pull to go there anyway. Can you tell me what's happening?" asked Max.

  Gabriel looked at him and shook his head. "No, it is not my place. Why do you not ask him? There is a reason you feel the pull, and he can feel it through you."

  "Sounds good. Let's go have some breakfast across the street."

  Arriving at the coffee shop, Max, Gabriel and Jessica noticed that Bagatelle had joined his sister and Michael. Before they had even sat down, Dons and Pandy also entered, with the latter skipping off to the kitchen to assist Draagh and Liliana.

  "So, um… did the little one make liquefied rabbit guts again?" Dons asked sarcastically.

  "I think her grandfather did a little redirect, getting her to stick to more standard food items today," Bagatelle answered.

  "Well, that's a relief. Pandy adores the kid so much she was practically begging me to at least take a drink of the slop just to make the child happy - if she made it again."

  "Oh, I can request a smoothie for you, if you like, Dons," Gabriel said laughingly, causing the diminutive clan leader to shudder in feigned disgust.

  Draagh, Pandy and Liliana brought out breakfast for the group and expertly laid it out on the table, with the little lycan assisting Pandy with her manipulation of magical abilities via her power bracelet. There was no arrogance in the youth's actions - only a mature caring way beyond her few years.

  "Desa for everyone!" Liliana cried out, probably more excited that anyone about the day's upcoming activities.

  Plates of food were handed all around, and one could almost note a sense of sadness at the long table. Although his days in Los Angeles were few, Max had made an extreme impact and would be sorely missed. But everyone was truly happy for him, being as he was reunited with his family.

  When everyone was done and all packed up (wearing their expedition clothing, and all being armed to the teeth), they walked out into the street, dead center between Seven Sins and Hotel California. Pandy gave Liliana an affectionate hug before backing away. Draagh looked out at everyone in his group - Michael, Max, Jennie, Liliana, Bagatelle, Gabriel and, temporarily, Jessica. It was a formidable collection of individuals - a mash-up of various beings, from the very young to the very old.

  "Heya Maxie, take care mate. And you come back anytime you like, got it?" yelled Dons as the group popped out of view.

  Dons looked over and saw something he thought he would never witness in his life. Marko was uncharacteristically hugging Cassandra, the two apparently lightly sobbing. Rolling his eyes, he took his girl's hand and walked with her to their new hotel.

  "Ya know, Pandy. I reckon things are gonna be better from now on."

  A thunderous boom accompanied the rather large group, as they instantly appeared on a small, cold beachfront in southeast Alaska. Lookin
g around, they saw dozens of bald eagles flying around, scavenging for whatever they could find. The tide had just begun to recede; so numerous mollusks were left stranded on the wet sand, unwillingly becoming part of the ecosystem's life cycle. The ruins of a small city were visible to the north, and there was cold, light rain falling.

  "Ah, what a lovely town, I must say. It is wonderful being here," exclaimed Draagh.

  "Huh? You've been here before?" asked Max.

  "Oh… no. I have not," responded the ancient Primulus.

  "Well, that's all fine and dandy, but I have had a feeling I needed to go north for many days, and you magically know this, take us all here, and bammo - here we are. Explanation, please?"

  "My dear boy, we are here for you. Lead the way, please. Just take us where you feel."

  "Ok, let's hit it," the lycan-mage said, as he started to walk up out of the sand and onto an old road that had been surprisingly well maintained. There was a sign that said S. Tongass Hwy, but the name was immaterial. It was simply a road, and it somehow beckoned Max to walk upon its surface. The group all silently followed Max, apparently knowing more about the purpose of their visit than he did. Going to the southeast for roughly twenty minutes, they encountered no intelligent life, such as any normals, but finally arrived at the town of Saxman. There was nothing outstanding about the area, except for the numerous totem poles lined along the highway. The group looked at them, but Max seemed more interested in a carved pole back off the road. Running down, he followed the draw - the pull - the enticement. It was a feeling of magnetism he had never known before. Something grabbed his stomach and drew him in.

  Liliana held her mother's hand and watched her father take off down the pathway that led to a lone totem pole in the midst of a wooded area. Curious, but understanding, she looked up at Jennie and asked, "Mami, is this where he becomes an angel?"

  "How do you know that, sweetie? Does anyone know that?"

  "Grandfather hinted at it, but I do not believe even Papi understands quite yet. I do not wish for him to leave. Please, promise me that he will always be with us."

  "He will, my child," said Draagh, as he placed his hand on the young girl's shoulder.

  "Head's up, people. I smell lycans," Bagatelle said over the comm.

  "They're in the woods, waiting to see what we do, obviously. In any case, I detect no fear," added Gabriel.

  Max approached a handsome, and surprisingly well-maintained carved wooden pole, roughly fifteen meters in height. As he neared the object, he noted the detail. It apparently had creatures and faces carved into it, with the wings of an eagle at the very top. However, before he got within five meters of the totem the previously hidden lycans slowly walked out of the thick forest. Then they did something strange - they started to sing. It wasn't a song like Max had heard before, performed by a modern musical group, but it was singing.

  "Pops, what are they singing?" asked Max.

  "They are descendants of the Haidas, my boy. It appears that they are singing a blessing. You have been expected," Draagh responded, very matter-of-factly.

  "I think it sounds quite cool!" added Liliana, who thought anything different was cool. The child always put a positive spin on the new and unknown.

  Max stood in place as six men and six women, all of lycan blood, circled around him. Their movements were not threatening, and the travel team could tell that this was a welcoming ceremony of sorts. Then, they suddenly stopped their singing and took seats on tree stumps that formed a perimeter around the totem pole - all except one - the oldest male, who approached Max.

  "Greetings, young one. We have been waiting for you. The sky bids you welcome as you spread your wings for the first time," the elder said in a gentle voice.

  "Um… hello. I have no wings, but thanks. I'm Max, and these are-"

  "We know who you are, young one. We also know who they are," he said, while pointing at Draagh, Michael and Gabriel, who had moved together off to the side. "It has been many years since we have been visited by those from the sky. We are honored by your presence," the old man humbly continued.

  Turning back to his grandfather, father and uncle, he said, "Huh? You've been here before?"

  "Not personally, my boy, but others have. We are easily recognized by tribal elders," said Draagh.

  The old man looked at Draagh and asked if they would show their true form before the tribal council, as it would be a great honor for them to see. The three looked at each other and then did something that neither Max, nor anyone else in the group had ever seen before.

  Draagh, Michael and Gabriel transformed into glowing beings of pure, golden energy, while taking on the classic forms of angels, their ethereal wings spreading out many meters on either side of their bodies. The group nearly had to shield their eyes from the light, but the tribal elders sat watching, wearing looks of contentment upon their weathered faces. It was like they had seen the heavens and were satisfied that all was well with the universe. What surprised Max the most was that Draagh also had what one would call wings. He had never seen the old mage take on such a form in the past, even though he had been told that his grandfather had utilized many names and many different looks during his eons of existence.

  "Oh wow. This was unexpected," stammered Jessica. She knew Gabriel was an angel, but never thought that she would be looking at him in that manner.

  The three then floated up and surrounded the main totem pole, with Max following them, but remaining on the ground. Getting up close, he noticed a crack in the wood that went at an angle across the carved face of a wolf. Before he could study it further it started to glow. Max stood, frozen in place as the ghanlo exited from the pole, much like glowing, liquefied energy, and flowed down to the forest floor. The energy slowly built up in height, it forming into the figure of a humanoid, the same size and shape of Max, but completely featureless. The light was intense, and was nearly identical to that of the three angels floating above. Then, without understand why, Max had an urge to put his hand up, palm open and out, which he did, as the glowing figure did the same. It was as if Max were looking at a glowing representation of his own shape - his energy twin, one could say.

  "Choose the vessel, my boy," Draagh said.

  "Do I have to? Can't it simply coexist with me?" asked Max.

  "No, my son. You need to provide it with a physical home," said Michael.

  Figuring his sword would be as good a container as any, Max reached back and pulled his katana out of its scabbard. Holding it up, the ghanlo then slowly morphed into the form of a snake at Max's feet and started to flow around him, beginning at his legs and wrapping around his body until it reached the hand that held his sword. After Max's katana had shone momentarily with a beautiful blue-colored glow, the ghanlo simply disappeared.

  "Was that it? That was why I felt this pull?" asked Max.

  "The ghanlo is yours now, my son. It is bound to your eternal soul. You will be able to communicate with it, command it, and nurture it. Remember, it is a living being, and although not sentient, it is to be cared for and respected," Michael added. You shall always be connected to your vessel in which it resides, and it shall go to you on your command."

  "Oh, kinda like Thor's hammer? That's cool," responded Max.

  "Ah, I remember that name. Those were indeed interesting times," said Michael.

  "You and that hammer. How many structures did you demolish with it?" asked Gabriel.

  "Whaaaaat? Hammer? You were Thor? What the heck?" Max exclaimed.

  "It was one of my many identities throughout the ages, my son. I would consider those to have been my party days, for lack of a better term," the archangel said while wearing a wry grin.

  "It is truly an honor to witness the birth of a new one of the sky," said the eldest of the lycan locals.

  "Oh, thanks, but I'm not one of the… whoa, hey - just a minute. Liliana, wanna see something cool?" Max asked, after he had just figured something out.

  "Sure, Papi. Go for it," />
  Max put his sword back into his scabbard mounted on his back and then looked at his friends and family - his beautiful wife, his daughter, his brother-in-law, his friend Jessica, and then up at his grandfather, father and uncle. Grinning widely, he thrust his arms out sideways, producing a massive span of black, feathered wings, which made a loud sound, much like that of a huge genoa jib sail unfurling and filling with the wind. With a mighty downward stoke he rose up off the ground, as the elders watched, most of them having tears in their eyes - tears of joy for having experienced the birth of an angel. Jennie stared, her jaw nearly agape, while Liliana clapped her hands and bounced lightly in place. Luigi Bagatelle stood watching, arms folded, while wearing a huge grin on his bearded face. And newcomer Jessica stared, still trying to get over the fact that she had been dating what amounted to (in her opinion) a human-shaped light bulb - with wings - who took her to a tropical island just to see a sunrise and sunset.

  Draagh, Michael and Gabriel slowly floated down as they morphed into their normal forms. As they touched down on the ground, Max joined them, retracting his wings and looking much like he did before having joined with his ghanlo. Then, walking over to the elder, he asked, "So what's your name? And how did you know I was coming here? Heck, I didn't even know why I felt the pull."

  "My name is Jake Williams, young one. And we simply knew. It cannot be explained. We are only the elders of the Haida, while the rest of our people are back in the clan house, waiting to meet you. That is, if you would like to meet them."

  "Of course, Jake Williams. It would be our honor," Max said graciously, while smelling some very delicious meats being cooked and fully expecting a BBQ. "But I do have a question - I studied Earth history and… well, shouldn't you have a name like Running Bear or Eagle that Shreds, or something like that?"