Matt leaned down again, amazed. He could now see trails, some quite wide with carts and wagons pulled by giant, shaggy beasts that looked at least remotely related to horses. These trails led to the circle from several different directions. Those trails coming through the jungle served as a supply line for massive tree trunks. Amongst the carts and wagons laden with these trunks were teams of people who pulled large trunks along via long chains, utilizing a series of smaller logs underneath the trunk which allowed it to roll. These columns of people, like the ones carrying goods, were occasionally lashed by thin streams of red from what Matt now knew was Orb.
Matt winced at yet another strike and shifted his gaze toward the shoreline. He now saw that what at first had appeared to be sand was actually a large collection of tents and extremely humble houses. Here too figures scrambled around busying themselves with a variety of chores and activities.
Matt leaned down to look more closely at the shoreline. He now saw that those working along the water were primarily occupied with the unloading of numerous small boats. The details were too small to see, but it appeared that the boats were a fishing fleet that transferred their catch to those on the shore, who in turn packaged the fish up and gave it to yet another long line of people who brought the bounty into the stone circle.
It was fascinating, and very unsettling.
“Can they see us?” Matt asked.
“No. We exist outside their world—and their dimension—though this trial requires intervention on your part.”
“I don’t understand,” said Matt.
“Look to Jetsun,” replied the voice of Malcolm.
Matt looked toward his opponent standing at the far end of the map and saw that a fleet of vessels much larger than the fishing boats was now headed directly toward him and the shoreline controlled by Orb. Matt watched as Jetsun bent down and studied the boats, which crawled with men, as they harnessed the wind to hasten their arrival. Light reflected off many of the men and Matt wondered if they held spears and swords.
The largest boat in the fleet was positioned in the middle, and Matt could see a tiny version of Cube glowing fiercely upon its deck. Matt was shocked to see Jetsun gingerly step out into the blue of the sea as he tracked the fleet’s progress.
Malcolm read that thought in Matt’s mind, and said, “Much like me, players have no physical presence in this world. You can walk where you wish with no effect.”
Matt gingerly walked forward into the area around Cube, still attempting to wrap his mind around what he was seeing.
“The stage is set, gentlemen,” Malcolm stated. “Jetsun’s forces, which represent free will, shall soon attack this hub of Matt’s absolute power. You will both issue orders to your respective teams—do not worry as it is your thoughts, not your words, that will drive the responses. Whichever team emerges as the victor of this battle will win this particular trial.”
Matt got down on all fours and stared intently at the community along the shoreline. He could now see that, in addition to the fishermen, the village was populated with women and children. He looked up and asked a question of the dark area that could be the ceiling, which was as good a place as any to ask a question of a person who wasn’t actually there.
“Malcolm, you’re sure these people are real?”
“Yes, on the world they inhabit they exist in these forms.”
Matt’s gaze wandered over to the massive war fleet about to descend on the shoreline. “And if these people die here today because of my orders…?”
“They will pass on to another form.”
Matt stood and met Jetsun’s gaze.
“Which is just another way of saying that they will die.”
“From your point of view, Matthew, yes. Please do remember that all living things, myself included, ultimately end. We then pass on.”
Matt stared across the living map to Jetsun, who was bent down studying the details of the invasion fleet. Matthew continued looking at him until Jetsun felt his stare. Jetsun stood slowly, returning Matthew’s gaze. Neither of them spoke for what felt like an eternity.
Matt eventually broke the standoff, walked across the ocean towards the shoreline, and looked down again at the stone circle and the smaller buildings around it. While this society was primitive in terms of its technology, Matt could now see that the entire area around Orb was protected by a series of catapults and smaller, spear-hurling weapons that had been called scorpions back on earth. There was also a series of deep trenches that could be filled with defenders. These fortifications extended around the backside of the stone circle as well, guarding against any attacks which came from the direction of the jungle.
From his bent position, Matt looked back toward the sea. It would not be long before lookouts in Orb’s domain were able to spot the invading fleet and sound the alarm.
He stood and looked again at the entire area, mesmerized by the tiny men, women and children scrambling about in various manual labor tasks under the watchful, punishing eye of Orb. As if on cue, another blast of skinny red lines shot out from Orb and struck workers, compelling them via pain to work harder, faster.
Matt again caught Jetsun’s gaze, which had previously been held by blue lines from Cube, striking out at the sailors manning the ships in the fleet, and he shook his head. Jetsun grimaced, rubbed his tongue along his teeth, and then shook his head as well.
“Malcolm,” said Matt, “I’m not going to watch these people die. I won’t give any orders other than to tell the inhabitants to flee.”
“And I,” announced Jetsun quietly, “will also not give any orders to fight. I will not kill.”
Malcolm’s laugh sounded mean-spirited as it rang in their ears. “I wondered how a team comprised of Buddhist monks would handle the hard choices of the Game—particularly when their religion professes to believe in predeterminism, not free will.”
Now Jetsun laughed quietly. “You know much of the universe, and this Game, but you apparently do not understand my religion. We believe in karma, not predeterminism.”
Matt could not help but find himself rooting for Jetsun in this debate but found most of it over his head. He had heard the word karma before but did not really understand it, or why it was different than predetermination. “Does predeterminism mean that everything in your life has already been decided?”
Jetsun answered thoughtfully. “Yes, those that believe a higher power has already decided everything for them believe in predeterminism.”
Matt thought about that for a minute. If he bought into that approach he could just stay in bed every day and never have to go to school again. It would not be his fault—it was already decided for him. The idea that someone—or something—had already decided his day for him sounded appealing at some level. It took a lot of pressure off him if nothing else.
Matt also found it interesting that Malcolm, like Orb, was not immune to mistakes. He wondered if Malcolm could feel embarrassment, which might explain why he was so quiet at the moment. Matt nodded at Jetsun to continue.
“What my order, my faith, believes in is karma.”
Matt jumped in. “I’ve heard of a karma-boomerang. I’m not sure I understand it.”
A cry went up from the shoreline as lookouts spotted the approaching fleet. Matt looked down and watched as the workers dropped their supplies and headed for the catapults and other weapons. He looked to the shore and saw that everyone there was now running away from the water and toward the entrance to the stone circle beneath Orb.
Malcolm finally interjected. “Time is fungible in terms of what is spent here versus what is happening back with the others, but there is not an infinite amount of time within this trial for your debate.”
“I understand, Malcolm," replied Jetsun, “but I believe the effort of better understanding one another is time well spent. I recognize that you wish us to hurry, but there are innocent lives at stake on both sides.”
Matt stared at Jetsun, envious of his command of language.
Matt knew that Jetsun was not speaking English—the Game was translating his speech into English for Matt’s benefit—and he wondered how Jetsun’s actual words sounded in his native tongue.
Malcolm apparently had no interest in studying the depth and quality of Jetsun’s speech, and somewhat sarcastically said, “Who among us is truly innocent, Jetsun?”
Matt winced at Malcolm’s question. He suspected that Malcolm, like Orb, knew everything he had ever done. His mind went back to his theft of money from his mother’s purse and the breaking of her trust. Matt wondered if he himself could still be considered innocent. Jetsun slowly walked beside the fleet, which now featured decks stuffed with armored, heavily armed soldiers. “That expression—karma boomerang—is perhaps the easiest way to explain my point. One reaps what one sows. Those who consistently do bad things are likely to have bad things happen to them—but that is not pre-determined. People can, and do, change their choices, and, in turn, their karma.”
Matt thought about Jetsun’s explanation. It sounded like a variation of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It also made sense, at least in terms of a goal.
“I stand corrected, Jetsun,” Malcolm replied coolly. “I have reviewed your religion in greater detail and what you state, at least in terms of what you aspire to achieve is, in fact, a better fit with self-determination. Thank you for this information.”
Jetsun nodded slightly to Matt, his motion also serving as a nod to Malcolm’s compliment as Malcolm had no body there to acknowledge.
“The fact remains, however, that it is time for both of you to act. The trial is near the critical stage. Your actions will dictate the outcome, and the winner.”
Matt looked at Jetsun again and said, softly, “I won’t do anything that will kill these people.”
Jetsun nodded. “I too again refuse to act in a way that causes harm.”
“Very well,” Malcolm replied, unhappily. “If neither participant acts, this trial and this battle will play out regardless, inflicting heavy losses on these people you seek to protect. In terms of the Game neither team will receive credit for a victory or a loss. This could lead to a tied score in the Game, in which case Cube’s team will retain control of the planet but all participants of both teams will pass on to other forms. Jigme will become the receptacle during the next period, but none of you will ever see your friends or family again.”
Both Matt and Jetsun, who now stood at the shoreline watching the troops disembark and head for Orb and the stone circle, took this news, and this new rule, badly. It seemed quite likely that the Game could end in a tie. Orb’s team was up one to nothing at this point but, if this round did not count, would need to win two of the final three rounds. Cube’s team, already down one to nothing, would need to win all three rounds to avoid a tie.
The catapults and defensive weaponry were now fully manned. Tiny missiles sped towards the attackers, accompanied by volley after volley of red crackling lightning from Orb. Cube, who still hovered above the deck of the largest ship—now grounded on the beach—sent blue bolts of energy at the defenders and the structures along the shoreline.
“The conflict has begun. Both teams have a large number of forces in reserve awaiting your direction,” Malcolm explained.
Matt looked to the jungle and saw large numbers of tiny figures lurking amongst the trees. He turned and looked out at the water and saw another entire fleet of ships sitting off the shore line awaiting instruction. This battle would soon become much deadlier when he and Jetsun gave orders to their respective forces.
Matt watched as people on both sides of this unnatural conflict began to fall. As he watched he thought about his karma.
He watched as a catapult located next to the stone circle exploded in a blue blast. This hit was immediately followed by a blast from Orb which destroyed the bow of the ship holding Cube.
What would Peter do in my place? None of them previously knew anything about a tie. We definitely did not know that it would be the end of all of us. We did not ask enough questions, but it’s hard to know what to ask. How did a group of kids end up stuck in this situation?
He closed his eyes to the tiny screams and blasts around him and thought through his options. He did not want any more of these people to die. He did not want the Game to end in a tie. He grimaced as he thought of the only way to solve his dilemma.
“I know of another way,” Matt said. He closed his eyes and concentrated for a moment, then opened them and watched as all the defenders threw down their weapons and ran off into the forest. A secret entrance slowly opened at the back of the stone circle, and a steady stream of people ran from this exit into the jungle beyond. The Orb atop the stone circle dimmed, and then slowly went dark.
Matt looked to Jetsun, who nodded before also closing his eyes briefly. When he opened them his attacking force had stopped chasing the fleeing defenders and was instead taking up the defensive positions they had abandoned. Matt looked to the fleet and saw the blue glow of Cube as it floated across the shallow waters towards the stone circle, where it would presumably replace Orb as the dominant feature.
Malcolm’s voice expressed both disappointment and surprise. “An unusual choice, Matthew, and one that has cost your team an important victory.”
Matt watched the defenders fleeing off into the woods and smiled grimly. “Sometimes losing is better than winning.”
Matt walked a couple of steps and extended his hand to Jetsun, who shook it, and then bowed deeply.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Eli
Eli’s arm was draped around Jenny’s shoulder. He absently stroked her arm with his fingertips as she rested her head against his chest.
Peter sat a short distance away, picking at a bump on his chin that, if he survived, would likely become a giant pimple. He still felt sick, and could not stop thinking about Matt. Where is he? What is his challenge?
His thoughts were interrupted by a loud clapping noise and the subsequent announcement from Malcolm. “The second trial has ended in victory for Team Cube.”
Jigme and the others across the way smiled grimly, then nodded to one another. Peter noticed that Jigme also rubbed his palms against the tops of his legs. Peter was not the only one feeling his nerves.
Eli slowly removed his arm from Jenny, kissed her gently on top of her head, and stood. “I’m going next.”
Jenny grabbed his arm, trying to pull him back down, but Eli resisted and instead stared at Peter. Peter stood as well, trying to find something constructive to say. Now that the score was 1-1 it was very likely that all of them would have to compete in a trial. Peter would be the last, watching everyone, including his brother, march off to compete—and possibly never seeing any of them, Big Ed, or anyone else ever again.
What will it feel like when I’m the guardian of the last receptacle? Will I still be able to somehow see what transpires in the world—or will I simply be trapped in darkness?
A chill started just at the back of Peter’s head and ran down the length of his spine. This was too much to ask of a thirteen-year-old boy. Nausea replaced the chill and he leaned over slightly and grabbed at his stomach. Peter struggled to catch his breath and did his best to hold back the sobs that wanted to pour out.
Eli took a step, tousled Peter’s hair, then leaned down a little to put his lips near Peter’s ear.
“I’m going to win my round, Jenny will win hers, and you won’t even have to compete, lil’ bro.” He tousled Peter’s hair a second time, turned and gave Jenny another quick hug, and then announced his intentions to Malcolm, and everyone in the room.
“I’m going next for Team Orb, and I choose him as my opponent.” Eli pointed at the monk immediately to the right of Jigme, and the chosen man turned and nodded his acknowledgment.
Malcolm broke the tension in the room by clearing his throat to gain everyone’s attention, then stating, “As a point of order Eli, Peter as your team leader is the person who declares who will participate from your team.”
Eli rolled his eyes, then turned to Peter, who nodded wearily, still struggling with his composure, and stood up to his full, not terribly tall, height.
“My brother, Eli, will participate for our team,” Peter said proudly, still looking at Eli, who was back to hugging Jenny.
Jenny gave Eli one more, firm hug, then put her lips close to his ear and whispered, “Don’t lose. I want to see you again.”
Eli blushed, turned his head slightly to kiss her, and whispered back, “How could I lose?”
Malcolm again broke the mood—his specialty—by declaring, “Eli will participate in this round for Team Orb, and has selected Pelden as his opponent from Team Cube.”
Pelden turned and nodded toward Eli, who nodded in return.
Peter noticed that a blue cube symbol now hung in the air above Jigme’s head. Peter turned and looked up and behind him and saw that a miniature red orb hung above his own head. This, apparently, was the official scoring system. His team needed two more red orbs to join the first, or none of them would have to worry about this, or anything else, ever again.
Eli gently pushed Jenny away, lightly punched Peter in the shoulder, and strode over to meet Pelden in the center of the room. Peter was amazed at the confidence Eli appeared to have. Why was Eli so certain of victory?
Malcolm, positioned between Eli and Pelden, wasted no time. “It is decided. Trial three begins!”
***
Eli opened his eyes. He squinted at what he saw, then closed them. He rubbed his closed eyes as if to clear them and then opened them once again.
He was not sure what he had been expecting, but it definitely was not what stood before him. He walked a step closer to a long, roughly-finished wooden table. In the middle of the table, neatly arranged, sat a collection of bags and trays. Eli leaned down, picked up the largest sack, which was made of crinkly, thick white paper, and saw that it was labeled simply FLOUR.Flour Eli set that bag down and began to shuffle through the rest of the items. Sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cream cheese, oil, more sugar, a large container filled with butter and a cardboard tray that held four eggs. A white container labeled MILK sat next to a smaller version labeled heavy cream. There was also a small pile of mixing bowls, spoons, measuring cups, and round pans. Lastly, there was a small cluster of carrots.
The Promise of the Orb Page 20