The Reckoning

by S. L. Morgan

  Navarre looked at Vincent. “How are they able to override our communication? Remove this being from interfering with my message to those of Earth about the threat that awaits them.”

  “Emperor, I am unable to do so. Our devices show no interference.”

  As Navarre slammed his fist onto the stone table in front of him, Harrison stepped in front of the screen and studied the individual that was interfering with Navarre’s communication.

  “This man?” Harrison questioned. “Emperor, he was not present when I met with Earth’s leaders.”

  Navarre glanced up and gazed intently at the man on the screen. “Mordegrin,” he said in a low growl.

  Mordegrin grinned. “Do you honestly believe I would allow you to prepare these mundane humans for the invasion they are about to experience?”

  “We will prepare them, and regardless of what you try, you dark creature, we will defeat you!” Navarre boomed.

  “Give this up,” Mordegrin simply stated. “If you join our cause, your people, the Earth, and all of her many dimensions shall be saved.”

  Navarre gazed fiercely at the screen. “Precisely what cause is it you are asking us to join? You wish for us to invade Earth?”

  “Exactly! Earth holds the key to the ultimate power that every leader has always wanted. Your warriors are bold, and together we can conquer other galaxies. I need them.”

  “I must have time to decide, as this is not our people’s natural way,” Navarre answered pensively.

  Harrison stepped out of the view of Mordegrin and watched Navarre concede with disillusionment.

  He can’t believe that we will lose this battle.

  “I have very little patience, Emperor. Do not make me wait for your decision.”

  “Very well,” Navarre responded and shut the communication screen off.

  “Emperor, if I may—” Harrison started.

  Navarre looked at Harrison. “There is no need. We will not concede to this dark being’s words, and we most certainly will not unite with his cause; however, I believe I have bought us enough time to regroup and form new plans while we continue to evacuate Pemdas. We have already lost two entire dimensions because of this, and we shall not lose any more.”

  Harrison nodded. “We will make it our focus to prepare the warriors and evacuate the dimensions.”

  Navarre gripped Harrison’s shoulder. “See to it that Levi returns from Earth immediately. I must brief him about everything that has transpired and tell him of our new plan of action.” He looked to Reece and Angeline. “We will not lose this battle. Our ancestors did not falter against the Ciatron, and we shall not falter against Mordegrin. We have The Key, and now we must see if Reece can possess the same skill that Paul Xylander did when he helped the Ancient Guardians destroy Atlantis.”

  Reece and Angeline sat quietly amongst other Guardians in the area, waiting for Navarre’s next plan of action. Reece was mentally focusing on the strength she carried within her. Navarre was right, the only hope they had was Reece using the powers of the stone within her to defeat Mordegrin, and she had to remain solely focused on that power radiating throughout her body.

  Navarre turned to Vincent. “Contact Movac.”

  At that moment, Movac’s holographic image returned. “Emperor Navarre, I have had plenty of time to think about this information you have given me.”

  “What is your answer, Movac?”

  “This answer has not come easily, but we have no other option, do we?” Movac returned. “Once this is finished, I will be the first to gladly destroy your kind for this.”

  “Enough, Movac,” Navarre growled. “I cannot promise you that any of us will even survive this attack; however, if we do, allow me to award you with the probability that if you chose not to unite with us, you will die without the enjoyment of killing our people. Either way, we all die together, or you unite with us and help us fix this threat. You can try your hand at destroying my people after that.”

  “Why is it you choose to unite with your greatest enemy, Emperor? Is there something else I should know?” Movac responded speculatively.

  “This being can alter minds. The only minds that are protected from such intrusion are the Pemdai and the Ciatron. He will mentally persuade all dimensions that he chooses not to destroy to join his cause of absolute domination. In the process, he will make those beings invade Earth, use their energy to gain more power, and they will fight any being that is not united with his cause.”

  Movac’s growl resonated throughout the room. “And exactly how certain are you that the Pemdai and Ciatron alone and working together can defeat this being?”

  “First of all, we have The Key in our possession. She—”

  “The Key?” Movac snapped. “What was she good for but delivering the location of the stone to this new enemy?”

  Harrison stepped forward, seeing that the emperor’s patience was being tested too far. “She possesses the powers of that stone, you senseless creature,” Harrison said. “Now, you will listen to me. We have armies from the galaxy which she alone saved. They are our allies and are standing by to join our men on Earth when this invasion takes place. Are you going to stand idly by, cast blame, and be destroyed while we fight this dark one? Or are you going to find some courage buried in that revolting body of yours and join our fight against this evil one?”

  Movac’s eyes narrowed, and then Harrison watched with surprise as Movac and the two Ciatron Guards standing behind him were flung into the wall at their side. He looked over at Navarre who stood and watched the event unfold with the same disbelief as Harrison.

  After a few loud outbursts from Movac, he returned to the screen, his image unclear as the connection was struggling to stay strong.

  “Movac, Ciatris is being altered, and I cannot promise you that there are lives in your dimensions that have not already been lost during this lengthy discussion. You must make a decision now,” Navarre ordered.

  “We will join you.”

  “I have men on Earth that are awaiting my orders. Bring everything necessary in order to battle any creature that chooses to attack your armies. You, personally, will be escorted to my location, where you will meet with the warriors that will be joining our armies. Memorize their images, and with your collective minds you can relay to your men on Earth who their allies are.”

  “Very well, Navarre,” Movac growled.

  “Movac,” Harrison called out. “You would be wise for your warriors to shapeshift into their human forms while on the planet. Some humans’ theories about alien conspiracies and their planet being invaded one day by them relate to images of your kind. Also, cloak your ships, another fear of theirs. I would also advise grounding your ships should Earth’s magnetic field be altered.”

  Movac’s black almond eyes blinked. “We are not the fools your kind believes us to be. I understand what my people must do to protect themselves.”

  “Harrison will meet you in your dimension to bring you to my location,” Navarre added as he nodded toward Vincent and ended the communication between him and Movac. He turned back to Reece.

  “If Movac or any of his men decide to so much as lay a hand on you—”

  Oddly, Reece smiled. “They will be vaporized,” Reece answered.

  “What? Reece, we need them on our side. Take it easy with your mind manipulation,” Harrison responded.

  She stood. “No, I’m serious. I didn’t know this until I was studying Movac on the screen. My body was responding in different ways as I read his emotions of hostility, anger, distrust, and then finally his trust in Emperor Navarre.”

  “What exactly are you talking about?” Harrison asked.

  “More than once, Movac’s emotions shifted toward killing me over this,” Reece answered. “When I felt those emotions, I also felt some strange charge of energy radiating in defense to him. My mind started calculating everything, and I saw what would happen should any Ciatron come into contact with me.”

  Harrison’
s eyes widened., “And that would be?”

  “I’ve possessed this since before I had the powers of the stone,” she stated. “Paul Xylander created some defense mechanism within The Key’s genetic makeup, and he basically made my flesh poisonous to their touch. They would turn to ash if they were to touch me.”

  Navarre looked at Reece as if she were some alien force, too. “Why would neither Galleta nor Paul Xylander inform us of this extremely useful information?” he asked.

  Reece shrugged. “Who knows? All I know is that it makes sense now, remembering back to when that Ciatron who had shapeshifted into a ghostly image of my father tried to touch me. It was in my apartment that night before I was brought to Pemdas.”

  “Reece,” Harrison responded. “Levi and I saw that creature in your room and ended his presence on Earth soon after.”

  “I understand that,” Reece replied. “But what you may have not seen, and I barely paid attention to until now, was when it went to touch my arm, it quickly pulled away. I think it sensed the threat to its life.”

  Harrison ran a hand through his hair. “Well, after this is all said and done and the Ciatron chooses to destroy us, you can just shake on it with Movac and end the threat.” He shook his head. “Nice to know we have a backup plan if and when we survive this.”

  Navarre turned and grinned at Harrison. “Let’s hope we uncover more of her hidden powers. There may be an easier method to destroy Mordegrin than we had imagined.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  After Harrison had reentered the vortex to Pemdas with Movac, he encountered a Guardian riding swiftly in his direction. Harrison slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a screeching halt. He was out of the car as quickly as the Guardian was off the horse.

  “Deron?” Harrison called out as he walked toward the somber warrior. “What has happened?”

  “Commander, I just came from the portal. Diexz, Oble, Rei, and their armies await our word. They are currently camped outside of the barriers of Pemdas and are ready to enter Earth.”

  Harrison nodded. “Very well, have them—”

  Harrison was cut off, and both men turned to see three more Guardians thundering in their direction. “This isn’t a good sign!” Harrison said as he pulled out his communication device to contact Levi. Surprisingly, a fuzzy image of Levi appeared. “Go. See what the men are here to report about. I must speak with Levi,” he ordered Deron.

  Harrison turned to focus all of his concentration on what Levi was trying to relay to him.

  Levi, I cannot understand you. Try speaking into the device, and hopefully, the signal will be stronger, Harrison communicated telepathically through the instrument.

  After Levi had given him a strange look in response, Harrison spoke louder. “Speak into the device. The signal is weak!”

  “Earth’s power grids have failed. There is a magnetic force shutting down all technology,” Levi said in a scrambled voice. “Our vehicles are not responding, and I have no way of returning to Pemdas as instructed.”

  “Earth’s power grids have failed?” Movac boomed.

  “Quiet!” Harrison snapped as he strained to focus on the fuzzy image of Levi. “You need to find a horse or something to make your way to the White House. Mordegrin is there. We will—”

  The screen went black, and Harrison roared in frustration. He threw the communication device into the forest that surrounded him and turned to the three Guardians speaking with Deron.

  “Gentlemen, we must make our move now,” he ordered the men. “What are you here to report?”

  “Four more kingdoms in Pemdas are lost to the black void. The emperor is preparing for our attack on Earth,” Deron stated.

  “Go. Deron, you will bring Diexz, Oble, and Rei’s armies here.” He looked at the other Guardians. “Inform the emperor that we have lost contact with our men on Earth. The power grids are down on Earth, and just as we imagined, we must send every Guardian horse we have to Earth on this mission.”

  Without hesitation, the men fled the area and Harrison turned to find Movac glaring at him. “Our ships rely on Earth’s magnetic fields. If what you are saying is true, my armies have been destroyed!”

  Harrison turned back to the car. “Movac, we will not know anything until we get to Earth.” Before he opened the door, he realized the car was mysteriously shut off. He bellowed for Saracen as he slammed his fists on the car. “This is far worse than we could have imagined.”

  “Will the beasts upon which you travel be able to withstand being on Earth?”

  Thunderous hooves echoed in the distance when Harrison marched passed Movac. “Our horses are equipped to handle any situation we place them in,” Harrison said as he hoisted himself up onto Saracen and extended a hand down to the Ciatron leader.

  “I am not prepared to travel in such a bizarre fashion.”

  “Stay here and die, then. I really do not care. Either way, I must return to my men and ensure the rest of our horses are prepared for this.”

  Movac gazed up at Saracen with wide eyes as the massive stallion raised a large hoof and pressed it hard into the ground. Saracen’s ears went back flat, and Harrison could sense that his horse was about to attack the gangly being.

  “It would be wise to lose your hateful thoughts about our people because my horse is about to kill you over them.”

  Movac growled and let out a breath. “Must I really sit on this creature like some helpless—”

  “Shut up!” Harrison barked. “Clear your mind and get on the horse, or stay here and die. We don’t have time for this.”

  Without another word, Movac was on the back of the horse, and Harrison was racing back toward their underground command station. When they arrived at the location, the area was filled with saddled and unsaddled Guardian horses. Harrison sighed with relief when he saw Angeline and Reece mounted on their horses and waiting patiently as numerous Guardians along with Emperor Navarre were helping Javian and his men saddle, arm, and prepare the horses for their arrival to Earth.

  He reached back, gripped Movac, and sent him to the ground as he jumped from Saracen’s back. “Emperor!” Harrison called out as he bolted toward where Navarre and King Hamilton were walking hastily toward Javian.

  “Javian, we have done all we can do. You and your men follow these Guardians, and they will lead you to the portal. Move quickly, as I am unsure if that location of Pemdas still exists. If it does, you are to report to King Nathaniel and help in any way you can with our people. If it does not, the Guardians will bring you to Earth.”

  “As you wish, Emperor,” Javian said as he rose up on a Guardian horse.

  “Javian!” Navarre called out. “Your services for our men will never be forgotten.”

  “Until we meet again, Emperor Navarre,” Javian responded before speeding off into the distance.

  Please let that portal still be there for that man! Harrison thought, hoping the loyal stablemaster and his men would be safe.

  Navarre turned to Harrison, who had Movac standing quietly at his side. “Where is Levi? We must leave now. Mordegrin made his final threat, and we must attack!”

  “I lost communication with him moments ago. The power grids on Earth have been shut down, and all of our men no longer have means of transportation by vehicles. It is my hope that he heard me advise him to meet us at the White House in Washington, D.C.”

  “We have no time to deliberate. Mordegrin is near that location. Reece is prepared, and we must go now.”

  “Your foolish decisions not only served to possibly destroy all of my armies, but this is a mission we will now fail!” he growled at Navarre.

  Navarre squared up to Movac. “We understand what is happening, and now is not the time for arguments.”

  “I will personally end your life when this is over if you are so lucky to survive, Navarre.”

  “I shall hold you to that.” Navarre mounted his horse and turned to the men waiting. “Everyone, mount your horses now!” Navarre ordered. />
  At the emperor’s command, everyone was on their respective Guardian horses, leaving Movac the only being unable to be granted the approval of a Guardian horse to ride on his own. Harrison rolled his eyes, knowing Movac would have to ride with him to Earth.

  “He can ride with me,” Reece smiled as she called and reached her hand out toward Movac.

  “As much as I appreciate your hospitality at the moment, Reece,” Harrison looked down toward Movac, “this creature shall continue his ride with me.”

  Once on the horse with Harrison, the mob of horses raced off, following Navarre toward the vortex. “Change into a human form, now!” Harrison ordered Movac as the horses thundered through the vortex, encountering hundreds of thousands of warriors from the Arsediean Galaxy.

  Navarre guided the armies of men off through a dense forest on Earth. They had ridden for quite some time before Navarre halted his stallion. Oble and Diexz gracefully landed where Navarre was dismounting his horse. The lion-like creature Rei rode sprung into the air and landed in the same location where mobs of warriors were stopped.

  Navarre addressed the men as Harrison and Movac approached. “Warriors, we are beyond indebted to you for your willingness to battle Mordegrin once again.”

  “We would have it no other way, Emperor,” Rei spoke up. “All of our armies have prepared enough weapons to help the Guardians battle any creature that Mordegrin sends our way.”

  “Have your men assembled human armies to help assist us in this fight? We have enough weapons for them as well?” Diexz asked.

  “Shamefully, the leaders of Earth did not heed our warnings. There may be some who change their mind after the invasion, but for now, we are on our own. Also, the humans are not to be trusted, as Mordegrin can easily alter most human minds at will.” Navarre turned to address everyone. “It does work to our advantage that all of our minds can communicate with our very own warriors, as there is no time to make any plans but that of attacking. I need this information collectively relayed to each warrior. Gentlemen, we split up from here. Earth will be in mass chaos given what has transpired. There are Guardian horses amongst us that will lead you to our men who are in desperate need of our support—”