The Reckoning

by S. L. Morgan

  They entered another room across the hall where Levi’s eyes darkened further. “Reece, before you question anything, you must know that we have a perilous situation on our hands. We have no time to prepare for this but are doing our best in light of the current circumstances.”

  “Levi, spit it out,” she responded. “What’s going on?”

  Levi gripped the nape of his neck. “Mordegrin has the stone. It appears that this pattern he has been following over the months was helping him uncover the stone’s location.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “He destroyed the Guardians we had placed to guard the location. The Guardians were positioned there to stop him if he arrived at that place, but we did not expect him to overtake our men the way he did. Those men were prepared for him, and with the plan of attack we had set into place, we were more than confident we would have captured him. With our plans utterly failing, we are at a grave disadvantage now.”

  “You’re sure he has the stone?” Reece questioned in disbelief. “How could he have found it within that mountain? It was hidden extremely well.”

  “I would like to believe that he would not have possessed the qualities to locate the stone, but—” Levi’s eyes closed as he exhaled. “Reports have been coming in, and two dimensions have simply vanished. Moments ago, we received word from four other Guardians that some strange black void has replaced two kingdoms in Pemdas.” He folded his arms. “Our greatest fear has come to be. Someone now has the power to alter the Earth, and destroy any or all dimensions within it at will.”

  Reece mirrored Levi’s war-like expression. “And it just so happens to be an enemy we all know nothing about. Has your father contacted—”

  “He has contacted all the leaders of all domains. At the moment, they wish to form a council and discuss our punishment for using the stone to open a portal and allow this threat to our world. It has been explained to them that there is no time, that the only punishment anyone will receive now is the demise of their dimensions and the enslavement of their people.”

  “I still have the powers of the stone. I can help stop Mordegrin.”

  Levi’s eyes bore into hers seriously. “We know.”

  “Then what are we waiting for?”

  “I need you to gather every ounce of courage and strength within you to accept what we must request of you.”

  “Go on,” Reece answered firmly.

  “We both must use this moment to say our farewells to our daughter. My father has been in contact with Shallek, and Shallek’s, Rei’s, and Oble’s armies are gathering to join us on Earth to prepare for an invasion unlike anything our people have witnessed. Shallek has also arranged for our people to evacuate Pemdas and take up residence in the Arsediean galaxy while we battle Mordegrin in hopes to save Pemdas from further destruction.”

  Reece gripped her forehead. “If we lose this battle?”

  Levi’s eyes grew severe. “We shall never see Marian again.”

  “We have no option. We must see that she is safe, that everyone is safe.”

  “Yes. Harrison has ordered Caleb and all of the Imperial Guards to escort my mother and Lizzy to Shallek’s village. There, Marian can be properly nourished and cared for by their people. The Imperial Guards have been given charge over our family while the emperor is away.”

  Before Reece could respond, an abrupt shaking thrust Reece forward into Levi’s arms. Levi instantly knelt, bringing Reece to the ground and shielding her as fragments of the palace’s ceiling shattered onto the ground and the large chandelier crashed into the center of the room. Once the violent shaking ended, Levi jerked Reece up to her feet. “We must bid our farewells now.”

  Reece’s heart raced wildly. “Marian!” she shrieked as they fled the room.

  They walked into the sitting room where servants were scurrying out under a loud order from Navarre.

  “Marian is fine,” Lady Allestaine assured her as Reece noted the rubble that had fallen from the ceiling in their sitting room.

  “We must get the women out of here this instant!” Navarre barked as he hurried over to Reece and Levi. “Carriages are waiting, and Caleb is in the courtyard with the guards. We are running out of time.”

  Knowing this may be the last time she would ever hold her, Reece reached out for Marian and marched out of the room, following along with the group that Navarre was leading toward the courtyard. Reece’s teeth clenched tightly when they walked out into the courtyard. Hundreds of Guardians and Imperial Guards filled the courtyard. Horses were lined up, surrounding the carriages that were prepared to bring the palace’s residents out of Pemdas.

  Caleb held a commanding expression as he approached the group. “Emperor Navarre, we have lost another kingdom to the black void.”

  “Get everyone out of here at once,” Navarre returned as he looked back at where his wife stood.

  Reece placed a kiss on Marian’s cheek and practically shoved her into Allestaine’s arms. “She will be cared for,” the empress said as she walked rapidly toward a waiting carriage, along with the rest of the women.

  There was no time for proper farewells, and Reece forced herself into a mindset she didn’t realize she had. Anger and an aching desire to destroy Mordegrin for everything he had done and was now doing to ruin her and Levi’s life consumed her and replaced her sadness of her daughter’s departure. With a loud shout and order from Caleb, the horses and carriage fled the courtyard.

  Reece looked up at Levi, who had said nothing the entire time. His expression was solemn, but the warrior was present within him, and she knew he felt the same as her.

  “I have demanded Nathaniel to stand in my place to be a picture of strength for the Pemdai in the new galaxy. Now it is time to prepare for our next course of action,” Navarre instructed as the group turned and strode back into the palace. “Harrison and Levi, prepare Reece and Angie now. We cannot waste another second, and you both must leave for Earth immediately.”

  Reece and Angeline followed Levi and Harrison through the halls of the palace. Reece peeked over at Angeline, seeing that her expression was nothing short of a Pemdai warrior as well. The expression Angeline wore on her face confirmed why she hadn’t left with the rest of the women. She was just as prepared for battle as Reece was. They walked through the armory room and into a large room filled with the Guardian regalia.

  Levi plucked two outfits off the rack and handed the heavy wardrobes to Reece and Angeline. “This is the Guardian armor that was fashioned for Reece. Angeline, you and Reece are similar in size and frame, so this should fit,” Levi said as he grabbed two pairs of tall black boots. “Dress quickly,” he ordered.

  Once Reece and Angeline were fully dressed in the Guardian regalia, they walked out into the room where Levi and Harrison waited impatiently. Harrison pulled Angeline into an embrace. “Remember our training, and you will be perfectly fine.”

  Angeline nodded. “We will await the next orders.”

  Levi’s expression remained grave as he brought his attention to Reece. “Harrison and I have different assignments. He will be returning to the command center with reports unless Pemdas is threatened further and my father forces your evacuation to Earth.”

  Reece nodded. She had a million questions spinning in her head, but she remained quiet.

  “Ladies, please join the men in the command center until further instructions are given,” Harrison said. “Levi and I have wasted enough time already.”

  The men charged out of the room without another word. Reece and Angeline followed behind as they turned toward the command center. Reece looked over at Angeline, who marched briskly by her side. “I didn’t have any clue that you were trained as a Guardian?”

  “Trained enough,” she responded. “Harrison and I have been training together every morning.”

  When Reece and Angeline approached the command center, they were forced up against the wall as Guardians stormed out of it.

  “Angie! Reece!” Navarre sho
uted as he noticed the women. “We must evacuate the palace this instant. Pemdas is being swallowed up. Our dimension can no longer withstand the changes that are happening on Earth.”

  Reece and Angeline followed Navarre without questioning where they would go now. Out in the courtyard, more Guardians awaited them. Arrow was saddled, and Reece walked directly to her fierce stallion. With the help of Javian, she was quickly settled onto the horse’s back.

  “Word has been sent that the empress and her convoy have made it safely into the Arsediean galaxy,” Javian informed the emperor.

  “Very well,” Navarre said as he scanned the crowded courtyard. “Keep preparing the horses and inform the Guardians arriving that they are to report to our alternate command center outside of the Pemdai barriers.”

  “Yes, Emperor Navarre.”

  “Javian, you and your men must work quickly. You are to report to that location also.”

  “Understood.”

  Navarre called out to his stallion, and Reece’s adrenaline picked up as Arrow surged forward, racing away from the palace with the mob of warriors following Navarre.

  Levi and Harrison halted their horses before departing their separate ways on their return to Earth. Harrison watched as Levi gazed up into the unnatural skies above them. He glanced back at Harrison and reached over to shake his hand. “Be safe, cousin,” he said with a firm nod.

  “And you, my friend.” He tightened Saracen’s reins. “Now, let us start the process of preparing Earth for an invasion unlike one they could have ever dreamt possible.”

  Both men parted ways and raced off to their assigned locations given by Emperor Navarre. Levi was to join the men who were covertly stalking Mordegrin’s current whereabouts while Harrison was to join Earth’s leaders for a prearranged meeting that Navarre had requested.

  As Harrison pulled up to the security entrance to the White House of the United States of America, he was annoyed to find that it appeared hardly any of the world leaders had shown for this important meeting. After being admitted into the building, he walked nobly through the White House, surrounded by men in dark suits.

  Within minutes, they led Harrison into a room where some leaders of Earth were present. The room was filled with more men from the United States military than anyone else. Video screens showed other leaders of their nations waiting patiently for Harrison to inform them of the impending threat to Earth. He noted some ambassadors were present, but none of that helped to ease his mind that the leaders of Earth weren’t taking Navarre as seriously as they should.

  “Mr. President,” he acknowledged the Commander in Chief as he stood to acknowledge Harrison’s presence.

  “Commander,” the president returned. “Please, there are many other issues that we are currently dealing with, and it is only because of your emperor’s urgency that some of us take this somewhat seriously.” The president sat down, clasped his hands together, and leaned on the table. “Forgive us for the scarce attendance, but quite frankly, many of the leaders are not convinced this information is pressing.”

  Harrison eyed each man’s skeptical expression in the room. “Gentlemen, thank you for giving me a brief moment of your time.” He looked at the president. “Mr. President, you are correct, there are others who do not wish to believe that the Earth is facing the greatest threat our people have ever seen.”

  “What exactly is this threat?” a military officer decorated in countless medals asked.

  “An invasion from unknown alien forces.”

  As soon as Harrison said the words, the room erupted into laughter.

  “You are saying that we are about to be invaded?” a prime minister spoke up. “Is this some kind of a joke?”

  “Take it any way you wish, but there is an evil being who has taken possession of the stone. He has already destroyed two dimensions, and our dimension is in a slow process of being vaporized. His next target is Earth, and he plans to open galaxies and bring in beings that we are unsure we can battle,” Harrison snapped back.

  “This appears to be more of a dimensional problem than an Earthly one,” another leader spoke out. He grinned. “I don’t know about anyone else at this table, but I think it will cause more harm than good to stop hiding the existence of life outside our world from our people. We cannot take the risk of total chaos at this time. Commander, I am sorry that your world will be lost, but I honestly believe the only danger to our world will be a result from frightening our people with the possibility of an alien invasion.”

  “Are you humans that ignorant?” Harrison lashed out. “Who put you into your respective positions anyway?” He inhaled deeply. “Forgive me. I am aware of your ridiculous politics.”

  The president stood. “We will not sit in this room and be insulted by a paranoid being from another plane of existence,” he barked. “Tell me, even if we are under an alien invasion threat, why has this happened?”

  “The being known as Mordegrin followed The Key to the stone without our knowing and destroyed our men, which were heavily guarding the location at the time. He has it in his possession. The powers that he now carries are beyond anyone’s comprehension. We have just come from a galaxy that he desolated, and he plans to do the same to Earth if we cannot stop him.” The men appeared to be listening and taking Harrison seriously, so he went on. “He must be stopped, and we need all of your soldiers working with us to—”

  The highly decorated military man clapping his hands and smiling interrupted Harrison. “Excellent work, Guardian!” He laughed again. “This appears to be something on your shoulders, and not on ours.”

  Harrison placed both arms on the table before him. “Every minute I sit here trying to convince you to warn the humans on Earth about this invasion, we are wasting time that could be spent training your men. This creature has the ability to mentally persuade you to work with him. You all must prepare everyone for him.” Harrison exhaled. “He will feed from your energy and use it to gain power.”

  “We have heard enough!” the president interjected. “I know for certain that there are wars taking place on Earth, lives being lost as we speak, and right now that takes precedence over frightening the humans on Earth by informing them that aliens exist and they are about to invade their planet. This will not be taken lightly, and it is sure to cause more chaos than good.”

  “This is not a possibility, sir,” Harrison deeply returned. “This will happen.”

  “We will not frighten our people, and that is my final word. I believe I speak for all world leaders when I say that.” The president glanced at every man in the room. “I could be wrong, though. Gentlemen, if you agree with the commander, say so now.”

  The room remained silent.

  “All of you will remember this foolish decision.” Harrison rose up. “That is if you are alive to witness what is about to take place.”

  “I believe we have heard enough. We will keep in mind this great threat, and until anything changes, our people will continue to live their daily lives with normalcy. If that is all?” the president said dismissively.

  Without another word, Harrison swiftly left the building to return to Pemdas and inform Emperor Navarre that their plans to prepare the people of Earth had failed.

  Strike two! Harrison thought as he sat in his car and raced out of the location. He vocally commanded the vehicle to contact the emperor.

  “Harrison, we are in the emergency command center just outside the vortex you will be entering through. I will take your reports when you arrive,” Navarre informed him.

  When Harrison arrived in the emergency command center, he found his uncle staring gravely at the holographic image of Movac, the leader of the Ciatron. Once Navarre noted Harrison’s abrupt entrance, his expression darkened, mirroring Harrison’s.

  “Movac, we will continue this discussion in a moment. I must speak with my commander at this time.”

  “It would be wise for you not to delay our conversation,” Harrison heard Movac demand.

>   Navarre ignored Movac and ended the holographic communication with him without another word.

  Harrison stepped toward the emperor. “The leaders of Earth will not comply with your requests since you have made them aware of the imminent threat that they are under.”

  Navarre exhaled in frustration. “What is their reasoning?”

  “They simply do not want to frighten those on Earth with the fact that aliens do exist,” Harrison answered flatly.

  Navarre rubbed his forehead. “So they are willing to put the lives of billions at risk while their planet is laid to absolute waste?” His brow rose up with disgust. “Where is the sense in their decision not to heed my warning?”

  Harrison crossed his arms. “There is none. They truly do not believe there is any threat toward them, only toward our dimensions.”

  Navarre’s eyes closed as his fists tightened. “They have proven that they care not about the welfare of their men, women, and children. I shall not stand idly by while the lives of so many innocents are at risk and in need of an advocate. Commander, we must take over all forms of their communication. I will address those of Earth myself,” he turned to walk toward their communication area, “and I will do it at once.”

  Harrison nodded. “As you wish, Emperor Navarre. It is the only chance we have to save them.”

  “Vincent, prepare the communication screen to commandeer every electronic form of communication on Earth. We must have control immediately,” Navarre demanded.

  Moments later, Vincent had successfully connected the command center to every television, radio, and telephone on Earth. “Emperor, you will be transmitting across the globe, and your words will be translated into the native languages of the many countries who will receive your message. The connection is complete.”

  Navarre stood in front of the screen nobly when given the word that everyone on Earth who was in the range of a telephone, radio, or television was now seeing or hearing only him.

  To the shock of everyone in the underground shelter, the screen in front of Navarre went black as he proceeded to warn those on Earth about the threat that was to take place. Instead of Emperor Navarre overcoming all of Earth’s technological devices, he was seeing a man standing amongst of Earth’s leaders, replacing what should be his image on the screens.