The white-gold light of the Vimāna was all around him. A feeling of pressure all over his muscular body reinforced his fear, which he tried to control. The vibrations and fizzing sound lasted for only a few moments, but it seemed like many more. Once it stopped, he knew the trip had ended. Slowly opening his eyes, he looked around. There was a layer of blue light – some sort of energy was all around him, and he was actually in the middle of that sphere, floating.
“OK, this is new”, he said loudly, exhaling and releasing all the stress and fear from his lungs.
The next question flashed through his mind:
“I seem to be all right but what is going on, why I am here!?” His inner dialogue went wild.
IV.
Through the protective layer of blue energy he looked around and - all of a sudden -recognized a familiar face. Despite the surprise, he felt warmth and happiness surround his heart. Spontaneously folding his palms in front of his chest, he offered his respects to a 16-foot being in front of him, who had been looking straight into Jason’s eyes from very moment he arrived. It was a comforting and kind look, at odds with the sculptured body that would have made any human faint on the spot. In eyes of this mighty warrior - one of the rulers on the higher planetary systems - Jason could sense urgency and mixed emotions. He had never before seen Kartikey show that sort of vulnerability. That in itself was reason to be worried. Jason knew there was something big behind all of this, but there were no clues so far.
“I welcome you, Jason”. Matching his look, the voice of Kartikey carried a clean and warm vibration.
“It is good to see you again. Unfortunately, we don’t have much time, therefore please listen carefully and be prepared …” He paused and then continued, “...the reason that made us call for you is nothing you could ever hope for.”
“Scary”, thought Jason, but before he could start worrying about what he couldn’t hope for, the powerful voice of Kartikey reinforced the significance of his thought.
“That is correct – all of us have reason to feel fear. Here is the message for you. Quabil is back. He is NOT dead but active again. The Council of Light has concluded that there is no other choice but to request your return. You must decide very soon…”
Kartikey continued explaining but alarm bells in Jason’s mind went wild:
“Impossible! Quabil is dead, I have killed him!” His memories rebelled against everything he was hearing. While the chaos of conflicting emotions streamed through his mind he was teleported a few billion yojanas* back to earth, into his living room.
V.
Impossible. Impossible! The word rolled through Jason’s mind on an unending loop.
Jason remained sitting on the floor, on his knees … he was shattered. He didn’t know what to do. The only time he remembered feeling so helpless and desperate was while watching his mother dying. As an eight-year boy, he couldn’t stop cancer from taking her life - there was nothing much he could do – and now he felt the same as a man, years later. Quabil was active again as a Medium of the evil forces, and it seemed that he had come back stronger than ever.
Backed up by the combined forces of advanced technology and demonic power, he was not just alive but already a few moves ahead. Jason realized that if the Council of Light had come to him as a desperate last measure, they must have explored all other options. Quabil’s mission hadn’t changed, no doubt, from the last time that he and Jason had faced each other, but how would Jason destroy him again? Letting Quabil just take over wasn’t an option.
If he succeeded, the people of planet Earth would experience a living Hell. Quabil had been given ways to achieve those goals and all evil forces of the universe would swarm to help him...as they would aid anyone who tried to destroy Earth. Demons from the lower planets had pursued this goal from time immemorial, because this planet has always held a special position among the many populated planets of this creation. For ordinary souls, it offers the easiest way to spiritually advance and grow. This disturbs all demon kind - death and not growth is their goal - so they try to control humans and keep them in dark. However, sometimes the desire to possess human soul energy becomes so dominant that directly invading planet Earth becomes their no.1 priority. When the veil lifts, the dimmest of humans could see the danger of their position. After all, food made of human flesh and blood is a demon's favorite delicacy…
“Dear God, how this could happen?!” - Jason’s mind was screaming. He was faced with the terrible truth, before a decision that seemed impossible for him to make. He needed a piece of advice, some help … now! He pulled out his iPhone and tried to dial Gunnar’s number but the battery was dead – no juice.
"Apple did not make you 'inter-dimensional travel resistant', I guess", he said ironically, moving toward the office. Maybe a landline was the answer. Before he could reach the office on the 2nd floor, the control panel of his GE Simon XT home alarm system spoke up. A voice like a battle-axe growled out: "I have opened the gate for Mr. Gunnar – full access key holder".
Relief! Changing direction instantly, he headed downstairs, running to greet his friend. He had probably never needed him more than he needed him now. Jason felt the unbearable pressure of making an impossible decision without any time to reflect, and was hoping Gunnar would offer him some sort of insight. He felt like his head would explode. His usually stable inner dialogue now sounded as if football commentators were all describing a ball game at the same time.
Gunnar saw immediately that something was wrong. The absence of his friend’s usual welcoming words and bear hug deepened that feeling.
“We need to talk, now.” Jason’s tone was serious. Gunnar slammed the door of his dark blue BMW 700i and quickly followed his friend inside the house. In the living room, they sat down face-to-face and Jason managed to calm down. Looking at Gunnar, the only human on the planet who knew and could understand Jason’s past, gave him some badly needed composure. His extensive studies of spirituality and ancient scriptures provided him a solid foundation of knowledge, but the association and friendship with Jason was the real ‘discovery’.
Jason relayed the news and everything that had happened since the morning in one breath. It was an emotionally charged outburst.
"O.K. you have to cool down … we have to calm down", began Gunnar.
"I AM CALM!" Jason responded in a shout, then stopped as he saw his friend’s face.
"Sorry - I am just not able to think straight!" he continued apologetically.
"Exactly my point. Let’s see if I got this right...correct me if I’m wrong", continued Gunnar. "The Council members have just learned that this….Quabil person is not dead but back in action, plus he already managed to eliminate all three 'Guardians of the Light’ guys who are powerful as you were while you were Guardian?”
"Right", said Jason, nodding.
"How is that even possible? You’ll have to explain more later but right now…" Gunnar waved his hands helplessly but continued.
"Guys from the Council -” he paused, realizing his error. “… okay, sorry, Demigods, Higher Beings, Protectors of Light from the Council…All of them agreed that you are the only one who can stop this guy? So, they actually want you to return to your former powers?" asked Gunnar, puzzled.
"Correct. On TOP OF THAT -" Jason shouted but lowered his voice, "the Council strongly believes that we have only about 42 hours! In that time, unless they are stopped, they will be able to find the location of the Diamond Gate”.
"Ah, the Gate, the ‘back entrance of the Gods’”, said Gunnar with raised eyebrow, “the one you told me about before? But demons can’t use it…or can they?"
"With all three keys in possession – it seems they can. Quabil already has two of the Keys. Two Guardians are dead and as we speak, he’s on his way to find and kill the Third one! And I am supposed to stop him, they claim no one else can.”
"Wait - why don’t they simply kill him once and for all? You would have to use the same powers and...." Before he could
continue, the loud BAMM sound of Jason’s fist, slammed on the thick wooden table between them, stopped him from finishing the sentence.
"THEY CANNOT INTERFERE! Remember the Big Man up there? Earth is like a chess table, it always was. They can plan and make moves but they need someone to play them", Jason explained.
"Right! I totally forgot. Sorry, all of this is just a little too much for me. The day’s barely begun”, said Gunnar, rubbing his eyes.
"Yeah, tell me about it”, sighed Jason, rubbing his own.
VI.
"Now, if this is all true (and I know it is because they never play games with these things), that means that all the universe beginning with our planet is open to a demon invasion.”
"But, wait!” Gunnar jumped up. “You don’t have the Armor and Weapons of a Guardian anymore.... will they just give them back to you?"
"If only it was that easy. No! I would have to go through the Initiation again – remember that Durjay is the only one who bestows the Guardian Powers and you heard about my history with him...!" Jason stared into his friend’s face and got worried, really worried.
"So, correct me if I am wrong…" Gunnar asked again. "You are supposed to save the whole Universe but you are worried because you have unfinished business with that massively important character... Dura … something?”
"It's not just that! I can swallow my ego but I am not sure that he would be willing to do the same....he really is NOT my biggest fan!"
"O.K., but the Demons are coming, they are on the doorstep - right? He will just have to give you the powers back. The Big Man is watching.” Gesturing toward the sky, Gunnar tried to prove his point.
"He will at least try to give me an exciting time”, said Jason sarcastically.
“Last time we met my head was spinning for weeks afterward. But I do not really care about that …"
"Then, what’s the matter?" Gunnar asked, perplexed.
With shadowed eyes, Jason tried to explain. "I don’t know, I guess I became identified with this life, with the Academy, with our business success.... all that ends once I go back to a Guardian’s duty."
"Hey, are you hearing yourself? If you DON’T go, all of us here will probably end up as a demon soldier’s lunch!"
"Yeah...yeah." Jason’s soft and hushed voice wasn’t sounding clear.
"Just a ‘Yeah’?" Gunnar asked, faking a disappointed tone. "What’s the matter? I don’t feel like you’re telling me everything."
"Sumiko is there! Satisfied?” The answer burst out of Jason.
“Sumiko? Sumiko who?”
With a tone in his voice that Gunnar had never heard before, Jason spoke:
“There is a girl. She lives across the street, at that Oriental Villa. Her father used to beat her AND her mother. A couple of months back, I showed him how easily a person can die and scared him half to death....."
"Okay that I understand.” Gunnar sat for a minute without saying anything. “No wonder this is hard for you.” He paused again. "Having said that, I’ll be honest and direct with you, as always. If you go, you have a chance to save her along with the rest of us here on Planet Earth. If you don't, you’ll have to watch her and others suffering and dying in the most horrible ways! It all ends for us, if you don’t stop that Quebec demon..."
"It’s Quabil, not Québec! And originally from Somalia, not Canada", said Jason, trying to be funny and not doing it very well.
"Look, my friend. Just go! Go up there, take your powers back, do whatever it takes. I will make sure this girl stays protected while you are busy saving our asses..." Gunnar smiled, trying to lighten the mood.
Jason sat quietly on the edge of a chair with an elbow on his knees, looking down at the ground. Gunnar understood what was going through his mind. The Guardians of the Light had a fully different life with great power and privilege, but they couldn’t really enjoy themselves in female company. Gunnar knew that. They both knew it, and speaking about the ‘elephant in the room' was not necessary.
VII.
After a minute Jason stood up, his eyes filled with pain. The future seemed very unsure and distant. This sublime duty called out to him … he had to go despite the cost. If not, the consequences would be horrific. He had seen the horrors that occurred when demons invaded Zeinn, a planet populated with a simple-minded humanoid race that surrendered to the demonic forces. But, if he did accept the position of a ‘Guardian of the Light’, he had to be at peace with all of it. That would mean an entirely different future. That would mean losing Sumiko, losing the Warrior Academy and friendship with Gunnar …… practically everything he loved and cared for right now. All for duty.
He placed his muscular hand on Gunnar’s shoulder, looked directly into his soul and smiled:
“It is my duty, I have to go. Thank you my friend. Thank you for everything.” Gunnar could see the fire of determination burning in the eyes of his friend.
“Can I do something, can I help? Should I prepare a Jet, gather a team … anything? ” Gunnar asked intently.
“There are no Jets flying where I have go”, smiled Jason.
“A few things only”, Jason continued. “Please make sure Sumiko is O.K.”, pointing to the window with his finger, “at that Villa. The file on Matsumoto and everything about him you will find on my hard drive, you know the password.”
“Matsu…who?” There were seriously too many new people in this conversation that he didn’t know about, Gunnar decided. He resolved to ask Jason about his double life, later.
“Her lunatic father. You know some things about him, I believe - not an innocent guy. If needed, call Ivan and hire five or six of his ex-military men that I trained. Be aware that Matsumoto is well connected…”
“Don’t worry, what else?”
“The boys. Tell Michael to take over the trainings and seminars at the Warrior Academy. Help him, see what’s best to do …… those boys are great, we shouldn’t leave them hanging”.
“Hey, it’s not over yet”, said Gunnar, wanting Jason to keep his eye on the future. “May the Lord be with you. If I can help you in any way, you know where to find me.”
Jason smiled. “Of course I do. Be well, my friend, and pray - pray with all your heart. You can also organize the group meditations and chanting of mantras as you did on the Solar Eclipse. But you would have to multiply the participants by a million at least”, Jason grinned, trying to comfort Gunnar before taking off.
Jason’s eyes narrowed as he turned away, and the laser-like determination was obvious. He took off his clothes and Gunnar could see a few new bruises on his strong muscular body. Wearing only underwear, he took the diamond position, sitting on his knees with arms resting on his lap. He prepared to leave in his mind. Behind Jason’s determined eyes, Gunnar was able to recognize the sadness of his difficult decision, but it didn’t stop him. He started breathing deeply in preparation for another “quantum jump”.
Jason spoke calmly. “Maybe it is best that you leave now. Everyone on the Council and elsewhere are panicking (since those on the higher planets are panicking) – we’d better not risk you getting teleported with me. I need you here.”
Gunnar moved toward the doors. Before he reached them, an explosion of golden light blew him against the wall of the next room. With a fizzing sound, the room began vibrating, and only trained reflexes saved Gunner from smashing his head against the wall. As he regained his balance, the pressure vanished with the bright golden light. It was dark, and the place on the ground next to the bookshelf was empty.
Part 2
Kailash: (Please Don’t Try This at Home)
VIII.
There are many breath-taking places in this universe but there is only one Kailash. It is not simple to describe a planet where everything resounds with spiritual power. It’s even more difficult to describe the person at the center of that place. Everything, simply everything there is structured around Durjay. Over the centuries, different cultures have given him various names that display his
good qualities. Durjay or ‘ The Unvanquished’ is one of those names.
Even the most powerful personalities on higher planetary systems offer him respect. His position in the Council of Light was one of the highest, and not that long ago, Jason had been one of the rare souls ignorant enough to dare to disrespect him. Normally, those unfortunate souls were sent to the lower hellish regions of existence; Jason was one of the very few who had managed to avoid that destiny.
Jason did not exactly have a perfect ‘work history’ with Durjay but perfect or not, Durjay alone could provide the Weapons, Armor and Power of the Guardian. It was one of his obligations – he had lived much longer than other living material entities and acted as controller of all the powers and principals of destruction. Durjay alone could test candidates and decide who was ready and who wasn’t.
The golden light of Vimāna (the ‘inter dimensional transporter’) looked as shiny as the Sun on Earth, but here on Kailash it looked like the weak light of a glowworm. While traveling, Jason kept his thoughts on Durjay.
“I will probably have to face Durjay but there is no time to waste, and he knows that. I just hope I can get my weapons and tools back without re-doing the whole initiation test. It needs to be quick so I can track down and kill that monster before he gets us all killed and ruled by the Demonic Alliance. Maybe after that, I will figure out a way to simply go on with my life.”
Jason slowly opened his eyes. He was again floating in drop of blue ‘protective energy’ but this time he faced the powerful Durjay, himself. Durjay actually looked very attractive, even beautiful if you disregarded the snakes around his neck, a garland of skulls, and his long matted hair. Jason could not help but feel overwhelmed by his powerful and attractive appearance. His mind erased all bad memories. A controller of this universe was right before him, peaceful in meditation, below the huge banyan tree.
The Third Key (GUARDING THE LIGHT) Page 2