The Last Portal

by Robert Cole

Chris found himself walking along a tunnel. It was narrow and only dimly lit by sporadic patches of glow-worm colonies. The walls were also wet and slippery and the ground was covered in loose rocks and boulders. Somewhere up ahead was the portal and home. He just had to reach it. But there was also at least one other presence somewhere behind him. He felt its malice, its power, its burning need to find the portal. But no matter how many times he looked back, he couldn’t see it. He broke into a trot. The tunnel ahead was becoming narrower, darker, the ground more uneven. Then, as though someone had turned off a switch, the light from the glow-worms vanished. He found himself in complete darkness. Behind, he could clearly hear the sound of many footsteps. Seized by panic, he ran on blindly, crashing into overhead stalactites and tripping over loose rocks.

  A stream appeared from nowhere, gushing over his feet, and filled with slippery rocks and gravel. He slipped and fell to his knees, rose, fell again, then crawled his way forward, clambering blindly over huge boulders and wading through waist-deep pools of icy water. Still the sounds came closer. A second wave of panic sent him bouncing off the walls, clawing his way over more boulders and splashing through pools of water. Then, as suddenly as they had disappeared, the glow-worms were back. He could see, yet there was nothing, only the sounds of some invisible monster lumbering behind him. Panting and exhausted, he turned to run once more. Then he saw it, the familiar distortion of the tunnel walls − the portal. The breeze was in his face, drawing him forward. He ran wildly on, but the distortions seemed to retreat as fast as he could run. The vortex was turning faster. Harder and harder he pushed himself, until he felt his lungs were about to burst.

  Then there were footsteps, many footsteps, becoming louder, gaining ground. Strong hands clutched at him. He fought hard, broke their grip, lashed out at any attempt to stop him, but there were too many and they were too strong. Something large hit him in the side and he fell to the ground. Severely winded, he tried to move, but a large weight was on his chest, pinning him helplessly to the ground.

  He woke up screaming. Two soldiers had pinned his arms to the ground and Joe was sitting on him, breathing heavily, as if he had just run a sprint race. Moments later, Kaloc and Susie appeared, also out of breath. The light from Kaloc’s staff revealed they were alongside a river.

  “Is he alright?” Susie’s concerned face peered down at him amidst a tangle of hair.

  “I think he’s waking up.” Joe’s flushed, pink cheeks appeared directly over the top of him.

  “Get off me,” Chris gasped.

  Joe grinned briefly, then climbed to his feet.

  Chris rolled over, clutching his stomach.

  “Wow, that was a great ride,” Joe continued cheerfully. “How’d you like my running tackle? Maybe I should join the rugby team when we get back.”

  Kaloc leant down and helped Chris to his feet, staring into his eyes as he did so. “It’s all right, he’s fully awake now.” He signalled his soldiers, who promptly stepped back.

  Chris looked down. He was a sorrowful sight, soaking wet, bruised and bleeding from too many cuts and grazes to count.

  “You are remarkably fast for one so small.” Kaloc smiled warmly. “If it wasn’t for your friend, we mightn’t have caught you in time.”

  “In time for what?” Chris asked.

  Kaloc pointed along the direction of the river. “Only a short distance further on it plunges over a cliff.”

  Chris could hear the roar of the falls.

  “That’s twice in less than twenty-four hours I’ve saved your neck,” Joe piped up, obviously enjoying himself.

  Chris looked around but couldn’t recognise anything. “How far have I run?”

  “Quite some distance,” Kaloc replied. “You’ll have to tell us exactly what you were running from.”

  Chris groaned quietly to himself, now remembering what had caused his flight. “I couldn’t make out what was chasing me. But I was running toward the portal.”

  “So you didn’t see Batarr or Zelnoff?” Kaloc asked.

  Chris shook his head. “I was in a tunnel and the portal was ahead of me, but no matter how hard I ran, it always seemed to be just in front of me.”

  “So you were trying to reach the portal when we caught you?”

  “Yeah,” Chris replied, feeling like an idiot.

  “Hmm…” Kaloc was quiet for a moment. “It’s probably safe to assume Batarr and Zelnoff now know where we are. Otherwise they wouldn’t have known where the nearest cliff was. This will complicate matters. It means we’ll have little time to reach safety.”

  Kaloc wouldn’t explain his comment further, but it was clear the night’s events had greatly disturbed him. Chris trudged back to the camp, shivering uncontrollably and feeling thoroughly disgusted at himself for not realising he was dreaming.

  “Don’t feel too bad about what has happened.” Joe drew alongside Chris and Susie. “Kaloc knew all along that you would do a runner. He had guards posted outside your tent all night, just waiting for you to bolt. What he didn’t realise was that you would be such a slippery customer to catch.”

  “He was hoping I might get a look at Zelnoff.” Chris shook his head miserably. “But I saw nothing. I couldn’t even see Batarr.”

  “Well, next time you’ll do better,” Joe said.

  Chris grunted a reply, feeling Joe had no idea what he was up against.

  “Did you feel there was more than one person following you?” Susie asked.

  “Yeah… maybe,” Chris said thoughtfully.

  “Well that’s why you couldn’t see Batarr. Zelnoff must have been helping him.”

  Chris didn’t know if this was good or bad news. If Batarr and Zelnoff could combine their thoughts, he would never stop them invading his dreams.

  When they reached camp the sky was already changing to lighter shades of blue, and the asteroid belt that surrounded the planet was fading. Chris quickly changed back into his old clothes and was given a hot glutinous mixture, which tasted remarkably like porridge, and told to warm himself by the fire. While Chris ate, the camp was quickly disassembled and the supplies distributed amongst the soldiers. By the time the first rays of sun peeked over the mountains the company had already begun their trek. This was the first day there was no mist or low-lying cloud to obscure the view and Chris was amazed to see Mount Caporel directly ahead of him, complete with a snow-capped cone and a column of black smoke. He had never before seen an active volcano, and watched in awe as the smoke billowed high into the atmosphere, where it seemed to condense into dark rain clouds that streamed into the distance. The sight triggered much chattering and excitement amongst the company.

  The clear weather, however, had the opposite effect on Kaloc. He roamed about morosely, issuing orders and pushing his men to move faster.

  Joe excitedly tried to ask Kaloc where they were going.

  “It’s better not to know the details,” Kaloc replied grimly. “Our destination mustn’t become common knowledge.”

  “Well, I won’t tell everyone,” Joe said.

  Kaloc glanced down at Joe and his features softened. “No, I’m sure you wouldn’t, not willingly anyway. The trouble is that in these times our enemies have many spies and unguarded information has already cost our planet dearly.”

  By mid-morning they had already been travelling for many hours without a break and everyone was exhausted. The injured in their company were also falling behind. Finally, to allow the company to regroup and the stragglers to catch up, Kaloc called a rest.

  The company pitched camp on top of a large rock outcrop, which gave spectacular views up and down the valley. Ahead, the valley curled around a mountain before heading directly toward Mount Caporel. Kaloc sat down on a rock and watched Chris greedily gulping water from a flask made from animal hide that was being passed around. Susie was crawling on her hands and knees trying to catch a six-legged lizard. Eventually the lizard ran out from under a pile of dead leaves and escaped over a ledge.


  “Susie,” he called, after watching her preciously balancing on the ledge. “I know what Joe and Chris’s particular talents are, but I’m still unsure about you.”

  She turned around sharply and almost toppled over.

  “I can read emotions…thoughts of animals…that sort of stuff,” she replied with a quick smile. “You know… I can tell all about a tree, or an animal, just by touching them.”

  These words drew a wide grin from Kaloc. “I was almost too scared to ask, but I had hoped.” His eyes narrowed on Susie. “Does Batarr know?”

  “He knows I can interpret languages, emotions… stuff like that. But I’ve only just realised I can sense animals and plants.”

  Another smile swept across Kaloc’s face. “Excellent. We’re not done for yet. I believe we can still give Zelnoff and Batarr a few very unpleasant surprises.”

  “What do you mean?” Chris asked.

  “I assume Batarr never explained the types of powers each Mytar may possess,” Kaloc said, leaning forward on his staff and staring intently at Chris.

  Chris wiped away some water that had spilled on to his chin. “Not in much detail.”

  “Well I guess it wasn’t in his interest to explain too much.” He paused, ensuring Joe and Susie were also listening. “Each group of six Mytar will have a slightly different range of powers, but their powers will always fall into the same basic categories. Chris, you have the ability to travel with your mind to distant places and read and even control minds. Susie, you cannot read minds, but you can sense emotions and communicate with animals. These powers are similar and complementary. Joe can change shape. Another Mytar will have the power to move objects, and yet another can change the weather.”

  “That’s only five,” Chris said.

  “The sixth Mytar doesn’t have any powers,” Kaloc explained, “but, in a way, this one is the most important. For without this Mytar, the other Mytar cannot merge their powers. Once merged, you will all become much stronger.”

  “Awesome,” Joe said.

  “But to reach the level of ability to merge all your powers won’t be easy.”

  The measured words of Kaloc’s last comment sent a tingle down Chris’s spine. “How much time will it take?” he asked.

  “I can’t say. This is not something I’ve had any experience in.”

  “You have no idea?” Chris queried.

  “Batarr, as our leader, knew much more about this than I did. I was his duty to study the Mytar and their powers. I’m afraid my knowledge is very limited.”

  “So what happens? Joe asked. “You just hang around and wait and hope we grow stronger.”

  “There are sources of knowledge we can tap to guide your development,” Kaloc replied. “I will have to think carefully how best to access these.”

  “Well, can you at least help get Zelnoff and Batarr out of my dreams?” Chris asked.

  “I can teach you how to defend yourself against them, but first you must recognise you’re dreaming. If you cannot do that, I’m afraid they’ll always have control.”

  “Then can you teach me to recognise I’m dreaming?”

  “Unfortunately I can’t. This realisation has to come from you. Most dreams don't make sense or have parts of them that are absurd. You have to look for this. Recognise the impossibility of the dream. Once you recognise you are dreaming you can take control of it. It also helps if you also prepare yourself. Before sleep, your last thought at night must be that you alone can control your dreams. Only when you have control can you defend yourself.”

  “Can’t you do anything?” Joe asked. “I mean, you’re a Guardian, aren’t you? Can’t you get into dreams, like Batarr could, and stop them trying to kill Chris?”

  Kaloc looked vaguely embarrassed by the question. “I don’t have the same abilities as Batarr, I’m afraid. I can only offer advice....”

  “Advice won’t stop Chris trying to run off the nearest cliff at night, will it?” Joe replied bluntly. “It sounds like we’ll have to tie Chris up at night.”

  Kaloc rose to his full height, which towered over Joe. “That’s a very good suggestion, Joe,” he said mildly, seemingly unaffected by Joe’s brash comments. “Until Chris has managed to control his dreams that may be your only option.”

  Joe stared blankly at Kaloc. “I was only joking. You don’t really want us to tie him to his bed, do you?”

  “It would be safer for all concerned,” Kaloc replied, at least until we know Chris will not run off.”

  Chris was going to say something further, but he started to feel a heightened sense of apprehension amongst the surrounding soldiers. He looked across at Susie. She was shielding her eyes against the sun and staring up the valley. Several other soldiers were also staring in the same direction and pointing at the sky. Kaloc’s commander was making his way quickly toward them, but Kaloc had already seen it. Chris felt a surge of dread and fear that quickly receded as Kaloc wrestled back control of his emotions.

  “Zentor! Everyone under cover!” Kaloc shouted

  The soldiers scattered. Chris, Susie and Joe were swept up in powerful arms and carried to the nearest cover. Chris was dumped roughly into the middle of a large bush and told not to move. Soldiers began running everywhere as they drew their weapons and searched for the best vantage points. He parted some branches to see what had caused all the commotion. High in the sky were large numbers of black specks. As Chris watched they grew quickly in size. At first he thought they were insects, then birds, then he realised they were at least the size of horses and travelling very fast on huge black wings. As they flew closer, he realised they looked nothing like horses. Their heads were triangular-shaped, like insects, with huge red eyes, their legs were claws and their bodies tapered to long tails, not unlike those of snakes. They were repulsive, and he couldn’t tear his eyes away from the sight. As he watched, more and more appeared, until the sky seemed black with their hideous forms.

  The lead creatures circled directly overhead, searching the ground for any signs of movement. Then one peeled off the main group and swooped lower, a crystal weapon in its claws. The others, flying in single file, streamed down behind the first one, then fanned out in every direction when they reached the tree level. The main part of the swarm circled higher up, as though waiting for a signal that their quarry had been discovered.

  The spectacle drove home the awesome forces Zelnoff must command. Chris found himself physically shaking, unable to think or do anything except watch as these creatures repeatedly swooped over the forest. Some movement in a tree close by finally snapped him back. It was a soldier; he was terrified, but too well trained to panic, or do anything except obey orders. He had seen these Zentors before - swarms of them. He had fought them and almost died, as had many of his fellow soldiers. One of these creatures flew so low the wind from its wings momentarily fanned the trees. Chris caught the foul stench of its body.

  Another Zentor passed low overhead. As it passed, it let out a hideous shriek that was immediately answered by the other Zentor. Like the tormented screams of thousands of people, the noise quickly intensified, filling the air. Chris covered his ears, but his eardrums still felt as if they were about to explode. A short distance away, Susie was curled up into a tight ball, covering her ears with her hands. Joe was crouched in a bush next to her staring up at the sky, his hands also over his ears.

  Every tree and bush suddenly erupted in beams of blue light. A white beam cut a Zentor in half, and Chris saw Kaloc standing in a small clearing with his staff held high, a brilliant white beam blasting from the crystal on top. All the low-flying Zentor were quickly sent crashing into the trees.

  The destruction of these low-flying Zentor, however, only signalled the start of the real battle. High in the sky the remaining Zentor, like ants, massed then streamed toward the ground in a continuous dive. As they neared the ground they fired their weapons, instantly incinerating bushes and blasting branches off trees. Despite the ferocity of the att
ack, Kaloc’s men held their ground, blasting many of the creatures from the sky. Chris could see soldiers darting in and out of the trees, so the swooping Zentor couldn’t accurately fix their positions.

  A bush in front of Chris exploded in flame, sending Chris scampering over to Susie and Joe. Another bolt of light struck the tree above and rained flaming branches on top of them. Several soldiers lay dead by the tree. Joe crept over and took their weapons, throwing one to Chris. The foul smell of Zentor, mixed with smoke and weapon fire, filled the air. Chris judged that around half the surrounding forest was now on fire. The smoke filtered up and covered the sun, shrouding the forest in an eerie twilight. Still the battle raged. Beams of light flashed everywhere, splintering trees and sending others up in flames.

  With the fires gaining hold around them, Chris signalled to Susie and Joe, and they retreated further into the forest where the canopy was thicker and offered more cover. But they hadn’t run far when two Zentor crashed through the canopy and landed in front of them. Both creatures were still twitching and clutching their weapons in their claws, even though they were clearly in their death throes from deep wounds. Despite pleas from Joe and Susie, Chris approached to within a short distance of one of these creatures. Its huge insect head and red eyes fascinated him. Somehow he had seen this creature before, but he knew this was impossible. Another Zentor landed, only this one wasn’t dead. It was scuttling across the forest floor like a huge cockroach, a crystal weapon firmly clasped one of its front claws. For the briefest moment, Chris looked right into its eyes. This creature was part of a swarm of hunters. The joy of the hunt, the slaughter, was all it lived for. It had found its prey. He felt the surge of excitement, the anticipation of the kill. This creature had only known war, only wanted war, only lived war. It killed indiscriminately and without mercy, or even pity. The vision swallowed him up in its horror. He had seen these creatures before; it struck him like a hammer blow. When he first arrived in this world and he had eavesdropped on Batarr’s thoughts, these creatures were there; swarms of them in endless battles on endless planets. They rained down the same destruction and terror he had just witnessed. They had destroyed the villages by the lake. He remembered the destruction and carnage he had seen in Batarr’s thoughts.

  The creature raised its weapon. In a moment it would blast a hole through his chest. This was what it wanted. Its mission was the destruction of the Mytar. Chris stood there immobile, unable to think or act decisively. Something heavy bowled him over as a tree exploded behind him. Joe managed to spout off a few obscenities, directed at Chris, as he sprawled across the ground. The creature scuttled quickly toward them, then stopped abruptly. Chris and Susie had disappeared behind a boulder. The creature stood up on its back legs, as though trying to scan the area for Chris. A weapon blast from the boulder struck it in the chest, throwing it onto its back. It lay there kicking and twitching, spilling out a green putrid liquid on to the ground.

  The boulder turned back into Joe. “Come on!” he yelled, waving them on as they sprinted deeper into the forest.

 

  Chapter 9: Down a Hole