The Middle Realm

by Charmaine Theron

  An icy shiver spiralled up Raven’s spine. Niko had known Thanos. He hadn’t divulged this important piece of information to her. Why had he kept it a secret? And Thanos hadn’t fully recognised Niko – maybe because of his scars.

  “Aether,” Niko spat out the word with loathing. “I was to be the successive Guardian of Pyr. I dedicated myself to the Guardianship but Aether chose Kyros instead.”

  Maksimos scoffed, “Bitterness has scarred you worse than your physical marks indicate.”

  “My scars should have been a reminder never to return.”

  “Ahhh… but you chose to follow Drakon so you burnt your bridges.”

  “I, at least, chose a side.” Niko flipped his hand up and down. “Which side do you profess to be on?”

  Maksimos laughed hoarsely, a sound that rattled Raven to the core.

  The words that Niko uttered next barely came out between his gritted teeth. “It didn’t get to you too. You’re operating on your own.”

  Maksimos threw up his hand, signalling, and a dozen soldiers emerged from the surrounding woodlands.

  “Surrender,” Maksimos bellowed. “Throw down your swords.”

  Raven and Niko relinquished their swords, tossing them on the mossy pathway. The soldiers closed in and marched them toward the temple.

  Once inside the temple a soldier bound their hands and jostled them onto a wooden bench. Raven shuffled in her seat, but when a blade jabbed her in the lower back she sat stock-still.

  Seated opposite them was Thanos. He stared at them over a steaming bowl of broth which he grasped in his skeletal hands. The warm, savoury smell wafted through the tense air and Raven’s mouth salivated at the aroma.

  Maksimos and Ash stood to one side, eyeing their captives intently. Around them orbs hovered, casting halos above their heads.

  Kyros strode forward to question them, “What were you doing in the woods?”

  They remained silent.

  Rocking back and forth on his heels, Kyros waited impatiently for their answer. “Who’s your friend, Raven?” He bobbed his head at Niko. A puzzled expression flitted across Kyros’s face for a split second, but it vanished, and a smirk replaced his confusion.

  Peering at Niko out of the corner of her eye Raven noticed that he hadn’t flinched. Why hadn’t Kyros recognised him either? He must have known Niko. Niko had admitted that he wanted to be the Guardian of Pyr, so Kyros would have known him back then. Yet only Maksimos had recognised him so far.

  Niko nudged Raven and she gave a start, biting down on her lip. A warm liquid trickled into her mouth and her tongue dabbed at the metallic taste.

  She caught a glimpse of Ash’s sword. The solid bronze hilt peeked out of its scabbard. The triangular engraving reminded her of her quest. Immediately she scanned the temple, searching for the symbol.

  Maksimos continued his relentless questioning, “What were you doing with Thanos? Where were you taking him?” He strode over to Thanos and rested his hand lightly on his skinny back.

  Thanos lowered his mug, holding it unsteadily in his lap. “The only reason anyone would venture this way would be to visit the oracle,” he added thoughtfully.

  Niko bobbed his head in agreement and swallowed noisily. “We brought Thanos with us to open the Wall and he knows the way.”

  “Strange…” Thanos said, “…you seemed to know it too,”

  “The oracle offered us her prediction,” Niko lied.

  Raven sneered, “Witch… she should be burned at the stake.”

  Above them a high-pitched hoot resounded. Raven glanced up, squinting into the darkness. That damn owl! The owl spread her wings and soared down from the rafters, settling on the shoulder of the oracle who had entered the chamber moments beforehand. The corner of the oracle’s mouth skewed. She had heard Raven’s words.

  Raven shuddered at the sight of the old woman. This was a bad idea coming here. The oracle scared her. Her sagging skin appeared to be parting from her bones and her piercing grey eyes bored right through Raven, so much so that she averted her eyes.

  “We meet again,” announced the oracle.

  “So we do, but under different circumstances this time,” Raven hissed.

  The oracle cackled.

  “Why don’t you tell everyone your secret?” Raven shot up off the bench, but the soldier behind her shoved her down again. “The secret that you’re an imposter.”

  Audible gasps echoed around the chamber. The owl hooted indignantly.

  The oracle tapped her crooked staff three times and her owl took flight, returning to its perch. She pressed her staff against her chest and winked at Raven but she didn’t spin in a circle. Her skin did not become youthful; her grey eyes remained the same colour and her thin grey hair hung limply over her shoulders, with not an auburn lock in sight. The emerald in her staff glinted teasingly at Raven.

  Witch! She’s toying with me. She wants to play games.

  “Do you have a name?” Raven asked her in a contemptuous tone.

  The oracle looked confused for a moment and then dread flashed in her eyes when she realised that Raven remembered her name. Drakon had called her by her name.

  The oracle waved her hand frantically, dismissing Raven’s question.

  Thanos noticed the oracle’s distress and misunderstood it, so he answered Raven earnestly, “Oracles aren’t given personal names – they’re named after the place where they offer their predictions. Our oracle is known as the Oracle of Dodona.”

  “No… I mean her real name. I’m Raven and you are—” Raven tapped her chest irately before pointing at the oracle.

  Niko jabbed Raven in the ribs with his elbow and she almost toppled off the bench. He shook his head. What was his reason for this? He didn’t want her to expose the oracle. As much as she was tempted to throw the oracle into the deep end, Raven heeded his cue.

  “Never mind,” she muttered miserably.

  The oracle exhaled visibly.

  Raven smirked. It must be true. The oracle must indeed be Dione. The witch had a secret and she seemed intent on keeping it from the Guardians.

  At this point Ash stepped forward, mustering his courage to confront Raven.

  “Naomi… I mean Raven. You’re trying to side-track us by diverting our attention to the oracle instead of yourself. The oracle isn’t the imposter here. If anyone is, it’s you.” Ash glared at her, his eyes glazing over with a mixture of hatred and disappointment.

  Before the invasion, Raven had infiltrated the Third Realm and had murdered a girl named Naomi moments before the 17th Awakening. She had taken on Naomi’s identity. From then on, Raven had deceived Ash and his friends by pretending to be their friend under the guise of Naomi. Meanwhile she was really an informant, sent on a mission by Drakon to retrieve information about the City and its occupants. When she’d returned to the Under Realm, she had handed over this information to Drakon. Her actions had made it possible for the Dark Legion to invade the Third Realm. And she had thus brought about Drakon’s dictatorial rule.

  Raven turned away from Ash. She doubled over and gasped, unable to catch her breath as the suffocating feeling returned. She had betrayed Ash. Niko had betrayed Thanos. And now the oracle was betraying the Guardians.

  The circle of betrayal was unending.

  Chapter 31

  Alive and Kicking

  The atmosphere in the temple was heavy and brooding. Ash stood alongside Kyros, his hands balled into fists and his palms burning. His hatred of Raven flared and he had the desire to harm her. If he witnessed her combusting, it would quell his craving for revenge. But he suppressed his feelings and the heat in his hands subsided. As he controlled himself, he breathed out heavily, releasing his hatred.

  “What are we going to do with them?” Ash’s eyes darted between Raven and Niko. “If they’re not back by sunrise, Drakon will know that something’s wrong.”

  “But if we release them they’ll inform him that you’re back,” Thanos advised.

 
An incessant scratching at the temple door and a short howl interrupted them. Lykou crashed through the wooden door, bolting inside. Thanos dropped his bowl, which clattered onto the stone floor.

  The wolf’s steel-blue eyes and the oracle’s grey eyes locked and immediately the oracle sensed the impending danger.

  “They’re coming,” the oracle warned, “the Dark Legion are coming.”

  “I’ll inform Zahir,” Kyros responded as he raced out of the temple.

  “Thanos, stay here with the oracle. You’re in no shape to fight,” Maksimos ordered. “I’ll post guards outside for protection.”

  Thanos nodded, looking bewildered.

  Ash froze. Maksimos grabbed him by the arm, hauling him aside. “Maybe it’s best if you stay inside the temple with the others.” Maksimos bobbed his head toward the frail-looking Thanos.

  “I want to fight,” Ash replied resolutely.

  Why would Maksimos not want him out there? He was a Guardian and capable of protecting himself. He’d already proven that in the Middle Realm.

  “Okay, but I don’t want any casualties. Especially not now.”

  “What about these two?” Ash repeated, pointing at their captives.

  Raven had inched herself to the bench’s end during the mayhem. She stared at the spot where the bowl had bounced and landed. She tilted her head peculiarly and her dark eyes focused on an etching in the floor.

  Maksimos directed his instruction to the oracle, “Don’t let them out of your sight.”

  The oracle rapped her staff on the floor. “I won’t.”

  The owl hooted above.

  Minutes later Ash raced toward the camp. Around him soldiers frenetically bumped into each another and Zahir bellowed commands above the commotion. Ash searched for his friends in the camp but they were nowhere in sight. He sprinted to the makeshift paddock, but it was empty. Pandora was gone. And his heart sank when he couldn’t find Elektra.

  “Light the fires,” Zahir yelled.

  The fire in the pits flared and the soldiers tossed branches onto the flames. Those who controlled fire remained behind, forming an arc on either side of the temple. Behind them, the wolf pack assembled, guarding the thick woods.

  Ash realised he couldn’t waste any more time searching, so he hurried back to the temple. Meanwhile, the Hajaran Army marched into predetermined positions between the temple and the destroyed woodlands which stretched out before them. In front, Maksimos waited alongside Kyros and Ash met up with them there.

  Ash scanned the stationary soldiers. Two rows from the front he spotted Zack’s broad shoulders and beside him stood Chance. A wave of relief flooded him; his friends would be fighting together. He knew that they’d have each other’s backs even though they had their differences. Once before Zack had deserted Chance and Rachel in the woods when the Dark Legion had invaded, but he had atoned by saving Chance’s life during the Dark War.

  Just then a tall man appeared at the far end of the woodlands and swaggered into the open clearing. Ash caught his breath. A hood concealed the man’s face and his black cloak swept the forest floor. On his hip, a sheathed sword protruded from the side of his cloak. The man positioned his hand lightly on the shiny hilt. This formidable man could never be mistaken for anyone else. Ash’s arch-enemy, Lord Drakon, halted fifty feet from them.

  Removing his hand from his sword, Drakon swung his arm casually at his side. “This time it is I who come in peace.”

  Behind him the Dark Legion massed, a daunting sight that could buckle even the bravest, strongest army that faced them head-on.

  But the Hajaran Army held their ground, unwavering, and only when Kyros gave the order “Let us pass”, did the army part.

  Maksimos, Kyros and Ash strode through the centre to face Drakon.

  “You talk about peace,” Kyros indicated the slain Hamadryads scattered around them, “yet this proves that you’re not ruling this Realm in that way.”

  “Times are changing… under Erebus’s command the Dark Legion was out of control. Even the Fallen had strayed, turning against one another. But I’ve regained control and they obey my orders and my orders alone.”

  “You speak of your commander,” Kyros said, bobbing his head toward the Dark Legion. “But where’s he now?”

  “I eliminated him,” Drakon sneered.

  “I should have guessed,” Kyros replied scathingly. “Now, what brings you to these woods?”

  Drakon’s voice boomed across the open clearing. “The Watchers informed me of a strange sighting the other night… a large bat they said flew overhead.” Drakon glanced skyward toward the gaping hole in the canopy. “Since then they’ve been keeping a watchful eye. They followed Raven and Niko through the Wall. Thanos opened the doorway, but failed to close it.” Drakon spread his arms out to his sides. “So, when a forgotten Guardian crossed the escapees’ path, my men realised something was amiss and they returned to warn me.”

  “Ahhh… strange sightings at night,” Maksimos muttered.

  “Maksimos – my dear old friend – you’ve finally found your voice.”

  “A voice I never lost.”

  “I thought you were dead. A knife in the back isn’t easy to survive.” Drakon shook his head and tutted his tongue. “But wait… I’m mistaken… the knife was in my back!”

  Maksimos narrowed his eyes and replied sarcastically, “I’m alive and kicking, not quite defeated yet…”

  “You’re looking a little weather-beaten. Too much sun in the Middle Realm?” Drakon remarked.

  “Enough small talk! You cannot defeat our army. We’ve returned far stronger and the victory will be ours,” Maksimos declared. “Surrender now and spare yourself.”

  “You speak of victory before you’ve even won.”

  “Your time here has ended, Drakon,” replied Maksimos.

  “But I know your secret. Your friend, Ash, escaped with the Book of Elements. You’ve obviously cast the element spells successfully,” Drakon responded.

  “Ahhh… strangely, it reminds me of old times,” Maksimos added dryly. “Except our roles have reversed.”

  “The Onyx!” Ash blurted. “Do you have it?”

  Drakon winked. “Now that would be giving away my secret.” His hand moved to the locket around his neck and he touched it surreptitiously.

  Ash eyed Drakon, his focus shifting to the locket. Rachel had relayed the information about the locket to Elektra. And Ash was certain that the Onyx was inside.

  “Now why don’t you all surrender and come out of this alive. You can return to the City with my blessings and live with the Seraphians under my rule,” Drakon said mockingly. “But… I do have one prerequisite.”

  Ash stepped forward bravely. “What’s that?”

  “The Guardians must perform a little ritual for me. I’ve spoken to Thanos and he’s in agreement.”

  “Thanos?” Kyros hollered. “Thanos would never agree with a tyrant like you.”

  “Go on.” Drakon flicked his hand in the direction of the temple. “Go check with him.”

  Kyros jerked his head around, shocked. “Opening the Hecate will destroy us.”

  “So I’ve been warned before, by both the past and present Guardians.” Drakon smirked. “Out of the three portals, two are already open. You see, when you exiled me to the Under Realm, you did me a favour – you helped my mission. I discovered one of the symbols engraved by our forefathers. I had the pleasure of opening the portal while my powers were still strong and now there’s only one left to open before the August Moon. I’m sure the clever Guardians can guess that the last one is here… right on our doorstep. It shouldn’t be difficult to find.”

  “One?” questioned Ash thunderstruck. “Only one left to open. Who opened the second?” Ash glanced toward Kyros, but Kyros stared straight ahead, his eyes fixed on Drakon.

  “Unless the Guardian owns up, we’ll never know,” announced Drakon. “But… on second thought, it could have been Maksimos, or even Kyros.” He looked
directly at Kyros for a few seconds but then his dark eyes darted to Ash. “Or even you?”

  Ash took an unsteady step backwards as the vivid memory of the burning symbol flashed in his mind. What had he done? Had he opened the portal? The previous time when he’d opened the vortex unknowingly, the Guardians had not been able to fathom how he had done it without the correct training. He was jinxed for sure!

  “We’re not going to help you,” Kyros stated.

  A moving shadow high up in the brightening sky distracted Ash. What was Elektra doing up there on Pandora? She could get herself killed. Something flashed and a green haze streaked across the sky. They had vanished.

  A loud crack came from behind the temple sending Ash leaping sideways.

  Drakon raised his hand.

  Crack. A fire missile soared over the temple’s roof and crashed into the open space between Drakon and the Guardians, scorching the ground beneath it.

  Drakon dropped his hand. He no longer came in peace.

  Chapter 32

  The Nyx

  The moment Drakon’s hand touched his side, the Dark Legion warriors surged forward. The Guardians braced themselves while the Hajaran Army filed in around them, locking into formation. A second group of soldiers moved along the edge of the woods. As the gap behind them widened, reinforcements streamed in. The front rows combined, forming an impenetrable barricade between the Guardians and Drakon.

  Ash eyed Drakon darkly over a sea of soldiers’ heads. Every muscle in Ash’s body tensed and his jawline clenched in anticipation of the battle.

  “Pyr…” Zahir roared from behind the frontline, “…loose.”

  Fire exploded in the space between them and, in a matter of seconds, the Dark Legion warriors clashed with the Hajaran soldiers. Spears sliced through flesh and swords clanged against armour. Battle cries tore through the once serene woods that had now transformed into a battlefield for the second time. Around them, Gaia soldiers hurled rocks at the warriors and Aer soldiers tossed their enemies skyward.