by Ahadi, Kion
“Yes I am here. I told you I would contact you. Come to the entrance and I will let you in,” I replied. This Henry was trying my patience. Why did people rarely do as they were told?
The men sneaked through the open entrance; Henry first, second Jermaine and finally Samuel.
“Keep silent and follow me,” I said. I led them down the passageway I had discovered, and then froze at the sight in front of me. The door which had been previously locked was now open.
“What is the matter?” Samuel asked.
“This door was locked before. It could be a…” before I could finish the sentence Henry rushed past me and through the door. A few seconds later an animalistic roar echoed followed by a man screaming.
“What the hell was that?” Jermaine said with fear in his voice. I knew what it was; a Shetie warrior. They were the most feared throughout the galaxy. This was no feeble human solider; the stakes had just been raised.
“What you see beyond this door will terrify you, so stay behind me,” I said with urgency. I then ran towards the door, the two men followed close behind – either they were very brave or plain stupid! We burst through the door and turned a sharp corner into an oval-shaped room. Three Shetie warriors over six and half feet tall with drawn sabres stood waiting at the far side. In the dimness of the room their yellow eyes glowed like balefires. Expectant tails waved threateningly behind them, dark green scaly skin shone, while small black horns on their angular heads glistened. Henry was sprawled on the floor bleeding heavily from a slash across his chest, he was semi-conscious. In a blind panic, Jermaine and Samuel starting firing their guns. The Shetie warriors flicked their silver sabres, swatting the bullets away like pebbles. They roared a deafening war cry.
“Save your ammunition. The guns are useless at long range. These creatures have lightning reflexes. You can only shoot them at point blank range when they are off guard. You will have to wait for an opening when I engage them,” I said with authority while glancing back at the men behind me. They halted fire; but I could hear their hearts pounding.
“RARLAL TIN HARAH!” I screamed at the Shetie warriors. I had spoken to them in their language ordering them to honour me by throwing me a sabre. They glared at each other visibly confused. I calmly removed the transceiver from my back pocket, then my gun and cast them onto the floor. I repeated my command, “RARLAL TIN HARAH!” One of the warriors snarled and threw me its heavy sabre. I caught it with one arm and swung it around my body like a master. The sabres were made from the hardest known material in the galaxy, even stronger than compressed diamonds or graphene. The now unarmed Shetie turned and took another sabre mounted on the wall behind it.
“ERYAK HEDONA ERFEL ZEKAR,” I said, my voice carrying with force. Translated, this meant their deaths were only moments away. The Shetie tensed, taken back with bewilderment. They were used to invoking terror in those they confronted, but I was evidently unfazed.
“ENT ROH?” one of the Shetie hissed.
“TEERZAD!” I roared charging the lizards. They were momentarily stunned by the answer and, before the closest warrior could mount a defence, I swung my sabre slicing its head clean from its neck. Copper-coloured blood jetted through the air. It fell decapitated and then its body disintegrated like ash. Sparks burst as sabres clashed, massive blows struck back and forth as I repelled the onslaught of the two other warriors. They combined their attacks, one swinging high and the other low. I blocked and countered, my abnormal speed saving my life numerous times. I was tiring rapidly; my human body was not robust enough. We continued to battle relentlessly, my muscles aching from the exertion and my face dripping with sweat. Sensing my exhaustion, one of the warriors thrust forward recklessly with its sabre. I side-stepped causing it to miss and, as it lost balance, I took my chance. Lashing out with my sabre I hacked its scaly sabre-wielding arm off. It hissed horribly from the pain.
“Shoot and kill it!” I screamed to the men. Then I immediately rolled out of the way of a strike from the other Shetie. I heard bullets firing behind me. I lifted my sabre and moved towards the remaining Shetie with death in my eyes. It walked backwards, fear broke across its inhuman face. It had lost the will to fight on, releasing its sabre and falling to its scaly knees.
“ZEKAR ER TEERZAD,” the creature hissed at me, accepting its fate.
I raised the sabre high above my head and brought it down ferociously, splitting the Shetie’s skull. Blood splattered across my face. I could taste the copper liquid in my mouth. The lizard’s body disintegrated, again leaving only a pile of dust. I turned and saw the last armless Shetie squirming on the ground. Bullets lodged into its dying form as the men fired their guns indiscriminately. Like the others its physical body disintegrated upon its demise leaving no trace of its former existence. The Dark Gods of the Black Circle had deliberately created the Shetie bodies to vanish after energy vacated the physical vessel. They did not want humans finding fossils or having clear evidence of a reptilian presence.
“What were those things?” Samuel asked as I walked towards him to pick up my gun and transceiver. I still had the sabre in my hand. Jermaine was tending to the injured Henry.
“They are members of an ancient species who live beneath the Earth,” I replied. wiping sweat from my brow.
“That is impossible, they must be aliens.”
“It is the truth… they have been here underground long before humans walked the face of the Earth. But you are correct to say they are aliens – they were originally created on another planet in the constellation of Draco. They have had space technology for millions of years. Most of the galaxy is under their rule.”
“That is nonsense!” Samuel said looking at me with sheer disbelief.
“Do you deny what your eyes just witnessed?”
“No I can’t, I just can’t believe it… you spoke their language… when you fought with them you moved faster than I ever knew it was humanly possible… WHO ARE YOU?” Samuel was getting hysterical. He was very young, perhaps in his early twenties. Even though on the surface we were of similar age, I knew a chasm of experience separated us.
“Stay calm; I am just someone with more knowledge of these things. I am here to help you, without me you would be dead. Get Henry fixed up, and remain here while I search for the women,” I added. Samuel scampered off. If that idiot Henry would only have listened he would be ok now, I thought.
The oval room had two exits we had not explored. The first seemed to lead further down into the depths of the mountain. The second narrowed into a hallway leading to a door. I took the second exit and there was a panel next to the locked door with a keypad. I focused my mind and tried to visualise the last numbers that had been entered. Images of a human hand appeared in my mind. I could see the sequence of numbers it had punched. I copied. The door clunked open. Without warning the hallway vibrated taking me by surprise. I was sent flying sideways – earthquake!
***
Nadia lost her hold on the steering wheel as the earth beneath them trembled violently. The SUV veered wildly, Nadia applied the brakes while fighting to regain control of the wheel. After a few hair-raising seconds she managed to bring the car to a halt at the hard shoulder of Interstate 17 just beyond Flagstaff. Peter woke up startled in the front passenger seat. Nadia switched off the car engine feeling exhausted. After driving for nearly four hours solid they were now in the state of Arizona. The earthquake that had struck California over three hundred and eighty miles away must have been immense for them to experience such a powerful aftershock.
“What happened, why did we stop?” Peter said rubbing his eyes. Mary was still asleep in the back seat, having not stirred once during the entire ordeal.
“The earthquake has hit. Luckily we are far enough away to escape the full wrath. We are only about thirty miles from Sedona now,” Nadia replied. She turned on the car radio to find out more information. The sound roused Mary from her sleep.
“…residents of Los Angeles had been expecting it for
days, but nothing could have prepared them for the massive earthquake that struck at 6:34 a.m. this morning. Early reports suggest it is the most powerful earthquake ever registered since records began. Measuring a staggering 10.3 on the Richter scale, it even overshadows the huge quake of 1960 which devastated Chile. Scientists have warned of a tsunami that could soon follow, sweeping across the coast of California. Causalities are unknown but expected to be significant. Our thoughts go out to the people of California. We will bring you more news as we have it. This is Derek Bruce on Magic 99.1…”
Nadia switched off the radio as adverts started to play through the speakers.
“Goodness, I never expected something of this magnitude! Our home will be destroyed. Thousands will be killed. Thank goodness we left when we did.” Peter was overwhelmed as the gravity of the situation dawned on him.
“Events are in motion now that none of us can reverse or stop. You are both safe and well, that is the important thing,” Nadia said in a wispy tone. As was the way of a being of light, her demeanour and voice had a calming influence. The tension and panic Peter felt eased. He studied Nadia’s face intently; it was more than just coincidence that his enigmatic young granddaughter had swept into their lives at this moment.
“You knew about the scale of this disaster from the beginning, didn’t you? You came to us prepared. You and Cyrus coming here to visit us was no accident. It was premeditated. The things Cyrus did were not the actions of any normal young man. He exudes awesome energy, but it is not like yours, his is dreadful and frightening. You radiate light. I sensed something supernatural about you when you were born. As opposite as you both seem you are perfect together, you complete each other. Tell us where we are going and what is happening Nadia?” The tiredness lifted from Peter as he talked. He wanted answers. Mary also looked reinvigorated from her rest and she, too, was burning with a deep curiosity.
“I will tell you what I know,” Nadia paused for a few moments to formulate what she would reveal. “There is a battle going on for control of this planet. It is a clash for the hearts, minds and souls of humanity. I am not talking about a simple physical conflict between nations. It is far more complex, there is a war raging between energy forces of light on the one hand, and darkness on the other. Earth has been the focus of this struggle for thousands of years, but the dispute even predates the formation of this planet, it goes back to the very first moments of creation. At the end of an evolutionary cycle such as the one we are now experiencing, the battle intensifies and a victor is decided.”
“Who decides the victor and what does that mean for us?” Peter asked.
“We all decide. The whole of humanity chooses the victor.”
“How do we decide, I am confused.”
“The key actions and decisions that comprise each individual life over time generate a collective energy field around the planet. Positive actions increase the light in the energy field, while negative actions raise the darkness. An earthly cycle lasts 26,000 years, which is the time it takes for a complete precession of the equator…”
“I understand what you are talking about: the time it takes for the Earth to rotate on its axis. This is what they call the ‘precessions of the equinoxes’. The Mayans believed that the end of this cycle would be 2012,” Peter said proudly.
“Yes exactly. At the end of the cycle, Earth’s energy field is automatically assessed by a force in the centre of the galaxy. Either positive or negative energy will dominate, depending on which is most prevalent in the Earth’s field,” Nadia continued.
“We are doomed. Most of what we do on this planet is negative we hate, fight and kill each other,” Mary said flabbergasted and beginning to grasp the conversation.
“Not exactly; negative actions make a lot of noise, but that does not mean they are the most prevalent. In fact, prior cycles on this planet have never been decisive so the evolutionary switch has been reset numerous times. You will learn more when we reach Sedona, we have to get going,” Nadia ended the discussion by starting the car. Checking the oncoming traffic she rejoined the freeway.
Peter sat back in his seat. What he had heard was beautiful in its simplicity, but had profound implications. Like pieces of a puzzle finally sliding together to reveal an unseen reality, he began to comprehend what he knew intuitively to be the truth.
“We are honoured to have you as a grandchild angel of light,” Peter whispered to Nadia. Mary leaned over, “Yes indeed we are,” she added. Nadia smiled at their kind words.
***
Nergal dropped the holographic viewer as the foundations of the chamber shook. The shaking lasted only seconds, but it was enough to inform the acolyte that the earthquake had struck.
“It is days sooner than we anticipated. Cyrus must have known the earthquake would strike, that is why he fled in the middle of the night,” Nergal complained as he bent over to pick up the viewer. How had Cyrus known, Nergal wondered? His musing was interrupted.
“What do we do now? Cyrus is only a few levels above us,” Wren asked.
“Withdraw the might of the Shetie Horde from the main chamber and send them to reinforce the other bases immediately. We shall let Cyrus have a relatively clear path down to this level. Let him wreak havoc here, there is nothing of real importance. I will leave now in the transport capsule; my plan needs to be accelerated.”
“What about me?”
“Stay here and keep Cyrus occupied. Avoid fighting him directly if you can and wait for my message. I will inform you when things are prepared so you can draw him to me.”
“Cyrus will destroy me,” Wren said rather alarmed.
“Maybe, but we can rebuild you, just make sure you survive until I have contacted you. It is crucial that you lead Cyrus to the capsule when the time is right,” Nergal said, piercing Wren with a dark gaze.
“I will do as you command. I believe whatever you have in store is for the best of the Empire.”
“It always is,” Nergal said cryptically, and then left.
***
The earthquake aftershock subsided allowing me to regain my equilibrium. I paused for a few seconds to ensure there was no follow up, then I entered through the open door. Inside I was greeted with an inconceivably satisfying scene. I was surprised by my own happiness. The missing women were all huddled together in the corner of what was obviously a cell. Some were sound asleep resting their dozing heads on others who remained half awake.
“You are all free now,” I announced walking over to the group. Puzzled expressions and vacant looks were cast in my direction.
“Come on get up,” I said leaning down to help up a woman sitting with her back to the wall. She resisted pulling her arm away. They were frightened.
“Theresa, Susan, Leanne, Monica, Veronica come on we have to go!” I shouted the names of the women I remembered from conversations with the men. It worked and the group began to spring into life.
“Let’s go, Samuel, Jermaine, Henry, Cesar are waiting,” I continued with elation in my voice. Several women stood up, those who were sleeping were shaken awake. The ten women quickly gathered their wits and followed me out of the cell. I knew instinctively these women had only been exposed to the soldiers. They had not seen the Shetie, which was a blessing for their sanity.
We reached the oval-shaped room. Samuel and Jermaine looked up to see their loved ones. Henry’s wife and two daughters rushed to his side as he sat nursing his injury. Those who had been cruelly parted embraced and kissed. There was relief and laughter. Who could have predicted feelings of joy would ever be expressed in such a malevolent place. I was intoxicated by the aroma of positive energy. I also felt uplifted.
“Cesar is waiting outside,” Jermaine said to Theresa, noticing her concern. She looked at him with gratitude.
“We have to leave before reinforcements arrive,” I barked, cutting short the celebrations.
I marched everyone out of the base and towards the van. Henry was assisted by his two daughters. He plac
ed each of his arms around their necks. Luckily for him the wound was not too serious, and would only need minor attention. As soon as we reached the van Cesar jumped out. He ran and grabbed Theresa, lifting her up in his arms.
“Thank you Cyrus… thank you,” he beamed. I smiled at them both. Then turned my attention back to the task at hand, making sure these people left safely.
“Everyone get in the van. It will be a tight squeeze, but you can endure it until you reach the next town. Don’t head back towards the roadblock, your cars will be gone and it will be dangerous,” I said loudly over the clamour of voices. Silence instantly descended.
“What about you Cyrus, aren’t you coming with us?” Jermaine asked quizzically, his arm around his sister.
“I have unfinished business here,” I replied.
“No come with us, leave this godforsaken place,” Samuel shouted.
“I can’t, more people will be torn from their families if I do nothing. I owe it to them, to myself, to try and help,” I said. The memory of the slaughtered people in Valletta still haunted me. I had done nothing to help them. I would not make that mistake again.
“You are the most mysterious person I have ever met Cyrus. I can’t lie and say I actually like you, but I trust you know what you are doing is right,” Henry said weakly, still in pain from his flesh wound. It was a bit late for him to realise that he should listen to me now, I thought, but better late than never.