The Navel of the World

by P. J. Hoover

  Was he seriously trying to talk her out of it?

  Aurora took a long sip of her Amoeba juice before answering. “No problem. I have some of my own research I can do on genetic engineering.”

  Benjamin had never seen Gary look at anyone like he looked at Aurora at that moment. He figured Gary might buy her a box of chocolates next.

  “So what are we going to do with your brother Cory when we get back?” Heidi had ordered her own Amoeba juice but hadn’t taken a sip—either because she was also nervous or because of the awful taste. Or both. “Do we just sign him up for summer school?”

  “I’m not sure,” Benjamin said. “I guess he can live with me back in Virginia during the school year.”

  “Maybe he’ll have to stay in Lemuria,” Andy said. “I can’t imagine an ancient Greek warrior going to high school with us.”

  “Let’s just get him and get back,” Iva said. “We already have enough to worry about with our ability tests next week.”

  Heidi shook her head. “And I haven’t had any time to practice. I think I’m a little better in telekinesis than I was at the start of the summer.”

  “You’re a lot better,” Benjamin said. “I hate to say it, but Andy really has helped.” And truly, he did hate to say it.

  Heidi smiled and her hair curled up at the ends. “You think so?”

  Benjamin nodded. “And probably it won’t be long before you can teleport.”

  “What about me?” Gary asked. “You think I’ll be able to teleport? And what about Iva?”

  Iva smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I already know I’ll be able to.”

  “How?” Gary asked.

  “I’ve seen it in the future.”

  “Have you seen me teleport in the future?” Gary asked.

  Iva shook her head. “No. But that doesn’t mean you can’t,” she quickly added.

  “We probably need to get going.” Benjamin paid using his credit account, and they left, heading for the park off Mu Way.

  “Are we ready?” Iva asked.

  Benjamin noticed she was chewing on her hair. “Is everything okay?”

  “It’s fine. Why do you ask?”

  “You look a little preoccupied,” he said.

  Iva took the hair out of her mouth. “I’m just excited. That’s all.”

  “Let’s go then,” Andy said. “We’ll be back in no time. Get it—no time.”

  Gary laughed. “Yeah, I get it. See you guys in no time.”

  The first thing Benjamin noticed when he arrived in India was the heat. With the three silky layers of Indian clothes on that Aurora had insisted he wear, it was unbearable. He put his hand to his collar, unsuccessfully trying to loosen it, and felt sweat springing up everywhere.

  “Ugh, how does anyone stand this?” Andy asked once he and Iva arrived.

  Iva settled herself. “Try to control the heat, Andy. Decide how much you want to get through your skin. Don’t you remember Mr. Hermes going over that in science?”

  “Vaguely,” Andy said.

  They walked toward the main road. Well, not actually a road. It was like a hard packed dirt pathway. And it was mobbed with people.

  After the heat, the next thing Benjamin noticed was that this temple thing was more of a social event than a religious gathering. Nobody was worshiping; nobody was praying; they were just standing around flashing gold jewelry and gossiping.

  Iva stopped walking and looked around. “I don’t sense the TPT.”

  “Maybe it’s not here yet.” Andy groaned. “Could be that Kronos wants to play some sort of game again. Like making me lift another heavy door.”

  Iva shook her head. “I don’t think so. A telekinetic challenge here in the middle of all these people?”

  “You haven’t met Kronos,” Andy said. “He’s a bit extreme.”

  “Or maybe he’ll make me watch time in the Temporal Orb.” Benjamin remembered the images that had flashed by. Even though two weeks had passed, they still haunted him. He saw them even when he closed his eyes at night. And the worst thing was he had no idea which ones would be true and which wouldn’t be.

  They walked toward the temple, following the massive flow of people. Once they reached the buildings, Heidi led them to the back of a line of worshippers waiting to offer their goods and pay their respects to Shaneeswara. Benjamin had never seen so many nails or so much oil in his life. Not even in Leena Teasag’s hair.

  “Hey, isn’t that Suneeta and Julie?” Benjamin pointed toward a temple.

  “It most certainly is.” Heidi put her hands on her hips. “They aren’t supposed to be outside of Lemuria.”

  “Duh. Neither are we,” Benjamin said.

  “Try not to let them see us,” Iva said.

  But it was too late. Suneeta and Julie had spotted them in line and were weaving their way over.

  “Ah, so I see we are not the only ones sneaking out of Lemuria,” Suneeta said. “Though I would not have thought you all were capable of actually getting out of the capital city.”

  “That’s nice,” Heidi said. “What are you two doing here?”

  “I came to pray to his holiness, the Lord Shaneeswara, to have the evil eye removed from me. And you?” Suneeta asked. “What are you doing here?”

  “We came for the same reason,” Andy said. “Removal of the evil eye.”

  “Really?” Julie asked.

  And then she did something Benjamin would have never thought possible. Julie was just always so…nice. She lunged forward, grabbed Iva’s hair, and started pulling.

  “You’re trying to steal Ryan from me, aren’t you?” Julie snarled at Iva.

  Benjamin stepped back involuntarily; Julie had gone crazy.

  Iva winced and grabbed her hair, trying to get it out of Julie’s hands. “What are you talking about?”

  “Don’t act like you don’t know!” Julie shouted. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

  This was going downhill fast. People all around were backing up and staring. And Benjamin had no idea what to say. He’d honestly never in his life been in this type of situation—thank God—and couldn’t even imagine what he should do. He looked to Andy who shrugged and stepped backwards.

  “Stop it!” Heidi said.

  “This is most disrespectful,” Suneeta said. “The Lord Shaneeswara will be most unhappy to have such behavior at his temple.”

  “Julie, stop it,” Iva said. “I don’t have the least bit of interest in Ryan.”

  Julie hesitated. Iva took the opportunity and pried Julie’s hands off her hair. Julie sunk to the ground. “I just want so badly for Ryan and me to be happy forever. I’m so in love with him.”

  Benjamin stared. Had Julie really just said what he’d thought she said? She must’ve. Andy’s mouth hung open with disbelief. Girls were nuts.

  “Julie thought the Lord Krishna could help her, so I allowed her to come along with me.” Suneeta nodded her head to the temple from where they’d come. “Lord Krishna has the larger temple just over there.”

  Julie glared at Iva as Iva rubbed her head and tried to ignore her. Iva took two steps back. She was now almost right behind Andy.

  “So you come here often?” Heidi asked.

  “No,” Suneeta said. “But this year is special. There is much preparation for the major event next year.”

  “What major event?” Andy asked.

  “You remember, Andy.” Iva nudged him. “The one we were talking about earlier. The reason we decided to come pay our respects this year.”

  “Oh, that event,” Andy said. “Maybe you should tell Suneeta what event it is so we can see if it’s the same one.”

  “You know,” Iva said. “Next year is when the planet of Saturn transitions into the zodiac sign of Taurus.”

  “Right,” Andy said. “And that’s why we’re here.”

  “So who knows you left Lemuria?” Iva asked.

  “Only Magic Pan,” Suneeta said. “He was able to get us a teleporter ticket o
ut.”

  “Did he ask for anything in return?” Heidi asked.

  “No, nothing at all. Only wanted us to tell him about our trip when we were done,” Suneeta said. “Now if there is nothing else, we had better get in line.”

  “Why don’t we cut ahead of you guys?” Julie stepped directly in front of Iva.

  “That would be inappropriate and rude,” Suneeta said. “The Lord Shaneeswara would not look favorably on that. The Lord Shaneeswara will show his wrath on those who are rude at his temple. The evil eye would descend upon them. And the Lord Krishna will torment them with constant mischief.”

  Julie jumped out of line and plastered the fakest smile Benjamin had ever seen in his life on her face. Iva raised an eyebrow in reply.

  “Oh, we don’t want any wrath or evil eyes.” Julie whipped around. “It was nice seeing you guys. See you back at school.”

  “Right. See ya,” Benjamin said.

  Benjamin waited until they’d left and established themselves far back in line. “Does anyone else think it’s odd they showed up here the same day we did?”

  “And that Magic Pan helped them?” Heidi added.

  “I’m sure it’s just a coincidence,” Andy said.

  “I don’t believe in coincidence,” Iva said.

  “You’re just upset because she pulled your hair and accused you of stealing her boyfriend,” Andy said. “So do you want to steal him?”

  Iva didn’t reply.

  “Maybe the Lord Shaneeswara somehow arranged it,” Benjamin said. “He’s sneaky enough to do something like that.”

  “Are you suggesting that Kronos managed to get Julie and Suneeta to come visit the same time as us, and that Magic Pan was also involved?” Andy asked.

  “I’m not sure what I’m suggesting,” Benjamin said. “All I know is that the odds are pretty small that we’d run into them in India today.”

  They’d almost reached the temple; only about five people were in line ahead of them. Benjamin scanned the crowd, looking for his holiness, the Lord Shaneeswara, a.k.a. Kronos. He knew Kronos would make an appearance; he just didn’t know when.

  “So here’s the plan,” Iva said. “We walk into the temple, walk up to the altar, and place the offerings there. Then we step back and pray for a little bit. If nothing happens, we leave the temple and start looking around outside.”

  “Can you sense anything yet?” Heidi asked.

  Iva shook her head. “No, nothing.”

  “You didn’t ask me if I could sense anything,” Benjamin said. “Last time I found the telemagnifier, and Iva wasn’t even around.”

  “Oh,” Heidi said in her best patronizing voice. “Well, do you sense anything?”

  “No,” Benjamin said. “But I’ll let you know if I do.”

  Whomp. Benjamin felt it like a weight being dropped on top of him. He staggered before regaining his composure.

  “I felt it, too,” Iva said before he spoke. “The TPT is in the house.”

  Benjamin could sense the familiar presence. “And with it is the Lord Shaneeswara.”

  CHAPTER 25

  Borrowing a Sacred Lingam

  When Benjamin stepped into the large temple, it was empty. Empty except for two telegens he recognized right away.

  “Ananya?” Even though Benjamin hadn’t seen her in a year, he would have recognized her dark Indian features anywhere. Ananya was a perfect mixture of composure, intelligence, and beauty. She was even prettier than Iva. Not to mention she ruled Xanadu where Benjamin had found the second key of Shambhala last summer.

  “Benjamin, do not come any closer.” Ananya’s fifty golden bracelets jingled on her arms as she motioned that the four students should remain where they were.

  “What’s wrong?” Heidi asked.

  “It seems the ‘Lord Shaneeswara’ and I have somewhat of a disagreement,” Ananya replied.

  “There’s no disagreement.”

  Benjamin turned his head in the direction of the voice. This time Kronos was young again, maybe around twenty. Possibly even younger than the first time they’d seen him at the ruins in Tunisia.

  “Yes, there is,” Ananya said. “This is not the TPT they should use.”

  “It is the only TPT I’m providing today. Anywhere. In the whole world.” Kronos’s reply left no doubt it was final.

  “What’s wrong with the TPT?” Heidi asked.

  “Aside from it being an inappropriate object for a telemagnifier, I foresee trouble with it,” Ananya said. “This TPT will not bring all four of you back safely.”

  Benjamin froze. It had never occurred to him that someone might not return safely from the past. It was a simple matter of getting the TPT, using it to time travel to the past, and then using it to return to the present.

  “Who won’t it bring back?” he asked. Was it him? Would he be stuck in the past forever? Was it Heidi?

  “I can’t tell you that,” Ananya said. “Only that you should not use it. You should go back to school immediately and try again next week.”

  “We’re not going to wait any longer,” Benjamin said. “I’ve been waiting long enough.”

  Kronos laughed. “You can’t stop the power of time. Don’t you know anything?”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Andy asked.

  “That means that time does as time wants, and no one can stop what will happen. Time flows and stops for none in its path.” And Kronos crossed his arms and smiled.

  “Those are nothing but worthless words,” Ananya said. “Traveling across the world and time does not make you all powerful. And time won’t stop for you either. Even your destiny cannot be changed.”

  “We’ll just wait and see about that, now won’t we?” Kronos answered her. “You may think I can’t do anything about my son burying me underground in the future, but I’m working on it. I have a plan. Anyway, if ‘destiny’ can be believed, it says I eat my children and a rock I think is one of my kids. Who’d be dumb enough to do that? And then I puke up the rock and Zeus traps me in the bowels of the Earth.”

  “The Navel of the World exists, Kronos. You cannot change it.” Ananya turned back to Benjamin. “You must not use this telemagnifier. It is tainted.”

  Benjamin shook his head. “I have to use it, Ananya. I need to find my brother.”

  “Are you willing to risk yourself and your friends to do so?” she asked.

  “I don’t have to. I’ll figure out a way we can all come back.”

  “No, you won’t.” Her face remained expressionless.

  But it didn’t deter Benjamin. He would travel back in time today. He would find his brother Cory. And then all five of them would use the TPT—this TPT—to return to this time.

  “Your decisions are your own,” Ananya said. “Just know the cost of them. Do not say I didn’t warn you. There may be no options but destiny.”

  “There are always options,” Benjamin said. “They just have to be found.”

  “Great!” Kronos clapped his hands together, grinning.

  Boy, he really was young.

  “So you want the TPT?” he asked.

  Benjamin nodded his head.

  “Excellent. It’s yours to have. After I get my offerings of course.”

  “Oh, I almost forgot.” Andy fumbled with the bag containing the nails. He moved forward at the same time as Iva; they each placed their bags by the altar where stacks of oil and nails were already heaped high. “What do you do with nails and oil anyway?” Andy asked.

  “The uses are endless. The Lord Shaneeswara must keep his secrets though.” Kronos waved his hand toward the altar in approval. “The TPT is now yours. Though everyone else outside is going to wonder where the lingam went.”

  If Ananya’s whole demeanor wasn’t above it, Benjamin was sure she would’ve rolled her eyes.

  “What’s a lingam?” Benjamin walked forward to the altar. But he knew when he saw it. The emerald green object lay on the altar, resting in a bowl. Without pause, he reached out
for the object and grabbed it.

  Kronos laughed again. “Oh, it’s just one of the famous objects of worship in the Hindu religion. I’ll probably have to put a new one here, or the masses may think I’ve shown my wrath by taking away their lingam.”

  “More likely they’ll just think we stole it,” Andy said.

  “That’s why we’ll use it here, inside the temple.” Benjamin turned back to Ananya as his friends gathered around. “Will I see you again?”

  “Yes, if time can be trusted.” She cast a long glance at Kronos. And then she leaned close to Benjamin and grabbed his hand. He felt her put something—cold like metal—into the palm of his hand, and then she pressed his hand closed. “You know what you need to do with this,” she said. “And don’t touch it.” And then, without another word, she teleported away.

  Benjamin looked down at his hand, but kept it closed. Whatever she’d given him, she hadn’t wanted anyone to see. He looked over at Kronos who hadn’t seemed to notice.

  “Can time be trusted?” Andy asked.

  “Only time will tell.” Kronos laughed and then teleported away, also.

  Benjamin, Andy, Heidi, and Iva were left in the temple. “Let’s just be careful.” Benjamin shoved whatever Ananya had given him into his pocket. Once they got out of here, he’d figure out what it was. “We’re all going to return as long as we all stick together back in Troy. Don’t leave the temple we arrive in, and don’t talk to anyone besides Hexer and Cory. Understand?”

  They nodded their heads in agreement.

  “Okay, are we all ready? Reach out and hold onto the lingam.”

  The world started to bend, their shadows shrunk, Benjamin’s body crunched and imploded, and they phased through time.

  CHAPTER 26

  Benjamin Tells the Enemy Everything

  “We met Hexer over there last time,” Benjamin told Heidi and Iva once the world had settled. “You see those tents on the outskirts of the camp?” He pointed out through the columns of the temple toward the war.

  “Is that really the Spartan camp?” Heidi’s eyes were wide, but with curiosity, not fear.