by Jeremy Dwyer
They climbed seventy-eight (78) steps – each eleven (11) inches in height – and reached the top of the tapered part of the pyramid. Atop it was a hexagonal structure with pillars around it that extended another thirty-nine (39) feet into the air.
Inside, they saw dozes of much larger statues of snakes and jaguars, as much as twenty-nine (29) feet in height, clearly designed to be intimidating.
“So, where is the great treasure to be found?” Renfrew asked.
“There’s a secret doorway to be found inside this temple, under the feet of one of the jaguar statues,” Captain Elidyr said.
Captain Elidyr walked the room and counted thirty-five (35) jaguar statues, and found that on the stone floor next to one of them was a square tile that had a seam around it. He put his fingers at the edge but was unable to move it.
Maldwyn saw Captain Elidyr struggle and went over to help him.
“Just place your fingers into there and lift,” Captain Elidyr said.
Maldwyn placed his fingers at the corner and was able to exert enough force that he was able to get lift on the heavy stone tile. Moments later, the tile was removed and it revealed a ladder going down into the darkness.
“We could use a light,” Maldwyn said.
“All that I can give you is more darkness. As much as you like, though,” Renfrew said.
“No worries, captain. There’s nothing to see down there. I’ve taken it all,” a voice said.
“Who is that?” Captain Elidyr asked.
A translucent image appeared before them. It was of a man dressed as a corsair, with a smirk on his face.
“You don’t believe in ghosts, do you, captain?” the image of the corsair asked.
Renfrew was afraid. Maldwyn took out his sword and prepared it.
“It’s a trick of light. An illusionist is creating this. You won’t be able to cut through it. You’ll have to find and kill the illusionist,” Captain Elidyr said.
The image of the corsair approached Maldwyn and he boldly ran at it, swinging his sword and passing directly through the image.
“See what I mean?” Captain Elidyr asked.
“The dark can wash away a false light,” Renfrew said. He drank anew of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean from his vial and was energized. He generated and aura of darkness around the image of the corsair…and nothing happened: the image was as bright as before.
“You fail to understand the difference between light and spirit. Allow me to enlighten you,” the image of the corsair said.
Soon, twenty (20) more images appeared, of all sorts of surly pirates, but they were all translucent like the first.
“You see, I, and my crew, are all dead. So, the sword is of little use to you. As is the darkness. I am not light – I am spirit,” the image of the corsair said.
“Who are you?” Captain Elidyr asked.
The image of the corsair then said: “Tychon.”
Captain Elidyr then stepped backward and his face turned pale with fear and confusion.
“You’ve heard the name, no?” the ghost of Captain Tychon asked.
“I’ve heard your name many times. You’re long dead,” Captain Elidyr said.
“Oh, six (6) centuries is not all that long. Not long at all. Soon, you’ll understand. And then, I am sure you will come to see it the same as I do,” the ghost of Captain Tychon said.
“I know I can’t live forever, but then I’ll be dead, forever. You’re just an illusion. I know what the light powers can do. I’ve seen the tricks, and I’ve seen them disappear in the dark,” Captain Elidyr said.
“What water do you drink, captain?” the ghost of Captain Tychon asked.
“Atrejan waters,” Captain Elidyr said.
“There are twelve (12) great waters. You clearly understand the waters of star, light and dark. Your hired hand here has great strength, so you must understand that as well. I’m sure you understand one (1) or two (2) others. But you do not have any appreciation for the ghost waters, do you?” the ghost of Captain Tychon asked.
“The Zovvin Ocean waters drive men mad when they drink of it. It’s all tales of hallucinating drunks,” Captain Elidyr said.
“Not at all true! And you’re being quite the hypocrite, given that many who drink the Atrejan waters are thought of as nearly useless, if not completely so. Many sailors don’t believe in the ‘sun waters’ despite the fact that they really do reach out to the stars and let you know their positions. You know this is true, yet you deny the waters of others. Your disbelief holds you back…and it will be your undoing, captain,” the ghost of Captain Tychon said.
“Believing in lies is what kills men. Illusions lead a man to chase what isn’t there. Disbelief is the real power,” Captain Elidyr said.
“How disappointing. If the power of disbelief were so great, then why should anyone believe what you claim about the sounds of the stars? How strange you must sound to those who deny the powers of the Atrejan waters. Their disbelief should undo your senses, and render you unable to hear the stars,” the ghost of Captain Tychon said.
Captain Elidyr then said: “I can prove what I hear, and I can find my way. That’s why they should believe.”
“I can prove I am real. His darkness did not dispel me, so I am not light. His sword did not cut through me, so I am not solid. What does that leave? You are being so stubborn. So dishonest, even,” the ghost of Captain Tychon said.
“What are you? Why am I even arguing with you?” Captain Elidyr asked.
“I am a ghost, of course. You are arguing with me because you are an idiot,” the ghost of Captain Tychon said.
At this, the ghost of Captain Tychon used one of the powers of ghosts – to interact with the material world – and he pushed Maldwyn into the secret doorway into the darkness that had been revealed.
Maldwyn was so startled that he dropped his sword on the floor of the temple. It was little matter to him, however, since he broke his neck when he landed at the bottom of the ladder in a dark chamber and he died instantly.
The ghost crew cheered at this, and Captain Elidyr and Renfrew could hear it and see it.
“You’re no ghost!” Captain Elidyr said, frightened.
“Idiot. When will you learn? Illusions most definitely cannot do that,” the ghost of Captain Tychon said.
“Tell him, please, that illusions cannot do that…or this,” the ghost of Captain Tychon said to Renfrew.
Before Renfrew could answer, the ghost of Captain Tychon picked up the sword that Maldwyn had dropped and decapitated Renfrew with it.
The ghost crew cheered even more at this, and Captain Elidyr could hear it and see it. He knew he was as good as dead, and became both angry and afraid in equal measure.
“He was too slow, captain. Just as you are too slow to learn,” the ghost of Captain Tychon said. Then, the ghost of Captain Tychon swung the sword and beheaded Captain Elidyr with it, as well.
The ghost crew cheered most of all at this.
“Our ship awaits us, at the coast,” the ghost of Captain Tychon said. He and the other ghosts then moved swiftly to the ship they found at the coast and went on board.
The flesh and blood crew was startled at the appearance of the many ghosts and the ghost of Captain Tychon asked them a question: “What is the name of this ship?”
“This is the Obliteration. Tell us, then, where is our captain?” Halwyn – the man at the ship’s wheel – said. He was angry at the incursion, yet frightened. He did believe in ghosts, and he knew he was looking at one.
The ghost of Captain Tychon smiled. “Obliteration! That is an excellent name for a ship! I am nearly envious I never thought to use it before. We will keep the name!” the ghost of Captain Tychon said, turning to look at his ghost crew, and smiling at the delightfully destructive name.
The ghosts accompanying the ghost of Captain Tychon cheered at the name of the ship.
The ghost of Captain Tychon turned to face the flesh and blood crew again. He said: “However
, we will not keep these. Feel free to go to the island and wait there for a rescue that will never come. You can also search for treasure that isn’t there. You can while away your days doing useless things. I could kill you, of course, but I believe your suffering will be much greater if I let you languish in such a worthless and empty place as this.”
Then, the ghost of Captain Tychon spun around and said to his own ghost crew: “And that, my friends, is what really counts in the end, isn’t it?”
The flesh and blood crew fled the ship in fear and went on to the island.
The ghost crew took control of the Obliteration and sailed the Zovvin Ocean, capturing ships, spilling their cargo and tormenting and murdering the crew of each.
The ghost of Captain Tychon was filled with joy…the kind of joy that only comes from taking joy from others in the most sadistic way possible.
“Fulfillment of one is the emptying of others. Life ends in death. Yet, death begins a new life, where we can expand beyond our old boundaries. Life has suffering that the living fear and dread. Death lets us bring suffering to the living, that the dead may rejoice at their anguish and pain,” the ghost of Captain Tychon said to his crew and to some of his victims while they bled to death.
CHAPTER 23: Rise of the Kingdom of Yellow Sunfire
In the continent of Waderav, much destruction had been wrought on the coasts by the power of the ocean tempests. Yet, the mighty storms had finally come to an end. Prince Kirdothet and Nerine looked out from the castle that they occupied, having periodically left it to scout the area for signs of safety or danger and later returning for rest. They could see that the flooding had stopped and that the water levels had receded both around and within the castle.
“The tempest no longer rages. The land is dry,” Prince Kirdothet said. He was greatly relieved, as the flames of which he was made were greatly threatened by the crashing waters.
“Might it return?” Nerine asked.
“To worry about such things is a burden we need not carry. The storm has ended, and that is cause enough to rejoice. Now, the dry land will need to be restored. And restored land will need to be ruled, so that there is order,” Prince Kirdothet said. The flames of his body crackled and burned brightly as he spoke. He was entirely inhuman, yet his human shape with fiery substance was very masculine, and Nerine found him attractive.
“You are warm. I can feel the strength of your flames,” Nerine said, admiring him.
“My strength is greater now. This is a time for boldness, and action. A world that has come to fear the water must be freed from the scourge. The fire of the suns is what mortals must come to respect…and obey,” Prince Kirdothet said.
“I respect you. You saved me. You are the reason I breathe today, and you are the light. I can see it. Others will see it, too. Evil people have ruled in this land – thieves and murderers. You can stop them and bring peace. You are wise, and you protect the weak,” Nerine said.
“The weak shall kneel before me!” Prince Kirdothet roared. The flames of his body rose up and he became considerably brighter. The entire upper room of the castle where they had been waiting out the storm was illuminated. The room also became hot from his power.
Nerine stepped back, afraid of his powerful affirmation.
“…and I shall protect them,” Prince Kirdothet then added.
“Many villages must have been destroyed by the storm. People will be homeless. Who can rebuild this land? I can help,” Nerine asked. She genuinely cared for others, and was troubled at the thought of all the ruin.
Prince Kirdothet then looked at Nerine, and saw that there was compassion for others in her. He saw this as being a weakness as much as it was a strength. Yet, her compassion had extended to him, so he was careful not to rebuke her for it.
“Along the coast, the damage will have been the greatest. You will come with me, and speak to them of my greatness, that they may acknowledge me, and my power,” Prince Kirdothet said.
Prince Kirdothet then took Nerine by the hand and surrounded his own body and hers with flames, keeping the fire away. The fire lifted them through the air and they traveled quickly to the northern coast, where they set foot on ground in a village that had been obviously ruined by the storm.
The fiery blaze that surrounded them was then eased, and Nerine was seen standing next to a man who glowed with light.
The people in the village looked on, stunned, at the man with a fiery form and the woman standing next to him.
“Who are you? Did you come to burn our village?” one woman asked, afraid.
“The tempest destroyed all that we have. Look at the ruins. Our families were killed. What more can you take?” one man asked, exhausted.
“We didn’t come to take, but to give. We didn’t come to destroy, but to help rebuild. My name is Nerine,” she said.
“I am Nadzieja,” the woman said. She was a woman who appeared to be in her fifties. She was clearly used to laboring, and was carrying many pieces of wood, working to build tables out of the scraps on the ground.
Prince Kirdothet looked at Nerine, wondering when she would proclaim his fiery majesty. However, he realized that she needed to begin with beneficence before his glory would be acknowledged. Then, he hoped, it would be proclaimed.
“I am Aleksy. Tell me, Nerine, what can you do?” the man asked.
“What do you need me to do? I can learn anything you want to teach me, so that I can help you rebuild your village. Just say it,” Nerine said.
Prince Kirdothet looked at her even more surprised, but said nothing. This woman was generous to a fault, and her love for him seemed to not be exclusive.
“You’re just a thin, frail woman,” Aleksy said.
“You don’t think a woman can help? I’ll prove it,” Nerine said.
“A woman can help. A strong woman,” Aleksy said.
All around them, wooden beams from houses were lying on the ground, along with wooden boards that made up walls and roofs. Nerine went over to pick up a wooden beam and, with a struggle, was able to lift up one end of an eight (8) foot beam onto her shoulder.
Even Prince Kirdothet could see that she was more determined than able. She was smart, but the muscle didn’t match the mind.
“Don’t hurt yourself, kid. You’ve got a good heart, but you need another job. If you want to help, take some of these bamboo rods and build a water line,” Aleksy said.
Nerine looked around for something that looked like a rod.
Aleksy pointed at one and said: “like that one.”
Nerine took the small piece of wood the man pointed to and saw that it was round. She picked it up and saw that it was hollow inside and felt how lightweight that it was.
Aleksy continued, saying: “Now, you know what it looks like. They’re lying all over, broken from the storm and debris falling on them. Take the good pieces and connect them. There’s a limestone filter for water purification over there, about two (2) miles. Make a good connection with that, and then build another line back. Some of the line looks like it is still there, so just fix the breaks,” the man said.
“Where does it start on this end?” Nerine asked.
“At that inlet. And it has to come back to that well,” Aleksy said, pointing to the beginning and ending locations.
Nerine started picking up the pieces of bamboo and trying to connect them. When they wouldn’t stick together, Aleksy said: “The ground is muddy. Use that. The mud will dry, and the pieces will hold.”
“Wouldn’t potter’s clay be better? I used to work with that – if the dirt gets wet again, it’s going to separate,” Nerine said.
“Good idea...with a high price. We work with what we have,” Aleksy said.
“You could have more. You could be wealthy enough to afford good things. That’s why we came here. This is Prince Kirdothet. He came to bring an end to the thieves that have ruined this land and taken the wealth. They tried to rob me and kill me, and he stopped them,” Nerine said.
“They’re just one problem. We’ve got nothing worth stealing, and that’s a bigger problem. The storm ripped this village to pieces. And we’re not the only ones,” Aleksy said.
“The bandits will be a problem again. They’ll come back, and see everything you build: they’ll take part of it, and maybe even kill you. They’re terrible,” Nerine said.
She continued picking up pieces of bamboo, and now she knew how to join them with mud, doing the best that she could. She started connecting the pieces to a small stone mount at the inlet Aleksy had pointed out and ran the waterline until she found another stretch of waterline that appeared to be intact.
Prince Kirdothet watched while she did this.
Aleksy watched Nerine work and Nadzieja said to him: “Help her. It’ll go faster. You know where things are.”
“She said you’re a prince. Whoever you are – whatever you are – you can see what we have to live through. Can you do something about it?” Nadzieja then asked of Prince Kirdothet.
“The ruins are yours to rebuild. Had they been built properly, your structures would have endured through the storm,” Prince Kirdothet said.
“She said you’d stop the thieves. If we’ve got nowhere to live, and nothing to steal, then they’ll just take us and sell us into slavery. That’s how it works here,” Nadzieja said.
“The fire of the suns is the fire of justice. Those who would steal and kill in a way that is not in accordance with the laws of the suns shall be burned to death,” Prince Kirdothet said.
“What are these laws of the suns?” Nadzieja asked, troubled by the words of the creature with the fiery form.
“The mortals must pay tribute to the suns, in both fortune and flesh. Those who would steal or kill that which is to be sacrificed shall be destroyed,” Prince Kirdothet said.
“The suns demand sacrifice?!” Nadzieja asked, taken aback.
“Much has been given to the mortals. A small part must be paid back. In return, the blessing of the suns shall pour down upon you. Light and warmth,” Prince Kirdothet said.
“We have nothing to give you right now. Not until we rebuild,” Nadzieja said, indignantly.