by Marc Lindsay
‘Let’s go,’ Jason yelled. But the cloaked figure remained perfectly still. ‘Come on. That thing’s coming.’
Jason’s pleas fell on deaf ears.
‘What are you waiting for,’ Selene screamed. The cloaked figure raised its pole and tapped it against where it kept its assorted coins.
‘Really, you’re going to quibble over money. Now!’ Jason yelled. The figure tapped his pole again to emphasise his point.
‘Hold on,’ Selene called out as she fumbled in her pockets for her remaining change.
The creature from the bottom of the lake was striding slowly towards them, its lower extremities still hidden beneath the water, its movement creating turbulent waves in its wake.
‘Hurry up,’ Wendy screamed at Selene who had finally wrestled her remaining coins from her pocket and with a toss of her wrist deftly tossed them in with a loud clink.
‘Let’s move,’ Jason roared. The cloaked figure nodded and slowly pushed the vessel away from the wharf.
‘If it’s okay with you, do you think we could move at your top speed?’ Selene asked with controlled politeness. Again the cloaked figure nodded, then surprising them all and defying logic and the laws of nature, the boat took off at a blinding speed, its bow lifting high from the forward inertia.
‘That thing’s bigger than Godzilla,’ Jason said in awe, the creature now in pursuit of their craft.
‘The 1954 or the 2014 version?’ Wendy asked.
‘What?’ Jason replied puzzled.
‘She’s talking about the size of Godzilla, the original Japanese version as opposed to the remake in 2014,’ Selene said offhand as she drew back the string on her bow and let an arrow loose, it flew in a high arc and struck the creature in the head. The result was like that of a potato gun being fired at an armoured tank.
‘Can we have the Godzilla talk later,’ Jason said, his gaze fixed firm on the giant creature.
‘RETURN THE STONES,’ the creature bellowed.
‘Did it just say stones?’ Selene asked.
‘I think it meant to say Stone,’ Wendy offered.
‘Either way it’s not getting it back, thanks to Captain Stubing here,’ Jason said pointing to the cloaked figure.
‘We’re nearly there,’ Selene said and they all looked towards the approaching shore.
‘Woo h….,’ Wendy’s cheer stopped mid-way as their boat’s progress was halted.
‘What the hell,’ Jason said and they all stared back, including the cloaked figure. The creature had stopped its advance and was now drawing in a massive breath, the vacuum preventing their escape. The cloaked figure started to paddle harder but the boat refused to budge despite its bow almost standing vertical.
‘Oh my God. This is it isn’t it,’ Wendy said in abject fear. ‘That thing is going to grind our bones to make its bread,’ She babbled. The cloaked figure stopped his paddling and the bow of the boat dropped immediately into the water with a splash. Jason was about to say something when the cloaked figure raised its pole and pointed it in the direction of the creature, who was still drawing in breath which was now pulling the boat towards it.
‘What’s he doing?’ Selene asked.
The cloaked figure was now drawing little circles in the air with the end of the pole which was still pointed at the creature, it would have looked ridiculous except for the fact that it was now swimming with a red mystical energy. The cloaked figure continued doing this for a few seconds longer as the glow got larger and brighter, then thrusting the end in the direction of the creature a solid beam of red light burst forth from the pole and struck the creature in one of its eyes. The creature roared in pain and it raised its hands defensively towards its face, immediately causing it to stop its means of retrieving them.
‘FERRYMAN. HOW DARE YOU STAND IN THE WAY OF ME AND MY PREY,’ the creature raged. The ferryman continued its assault despite the fact that each attack took time to generate the energy beam.
‘We need to help,’ Jason instructed, and the two girls nodded. Selene started firing arrows off and Wendy consulted with her book for a brief moment, then uttering a spell in an unknown language and gesturing with both hands, a silver bolt of lightning flew from her hands striking the demon creature. Jason too transformed into a small dragon, his bulk almost taking up the entire boat. He drew a long breath and released it in a jet of green flame. Their combined efforts causing the demon creature to cry out in rage.
‘YOU WILL SUFFER LIKE NO OTHER HAS IN OVER A THOUSAND YEARS,’ it roared through the pain. The Ferryman stopped its assault and instead continued on with its paddling, their speed even faster than before. Within minutes their boat hit the shore, sliding to a halt upon the stony beach. The three of them leapt from the boat and regarded the mysterious figure on the boat.
‘Thank you,’ Jason said, now back in his human form. Selene was also looking at their saviour with grudging respect, she quickly removed one of her earrings and tossed it into his collection of coins.
‘You more than earned that,’ Selene said. Then as they were about to depart Wendy jumped back into the boat and threw herself at the figure, hugging him tight. Unable to see its face, the Ferryman appeared to hesitate for only a split second before gently pushing the younger girl from him, then it pointed to the exit, the small door leading out. Jason nodded and grabbed Wendy, the three of them casting one quick glance back, they waved then ran for their lives, Wendy’s small voice calling out goodbye, as they disappeared through the door.
They entered the hallway running at a full pace, the maddening roars of the demon echoing from behind, then without warning the bodies that were plastered together against the walls suddenly started to reach out and grab them as they passed, they were inhibited by the fact that they were conjoined and welded to the very walls. In the dim light with dozens of arms attempting to grab them and the moans and cries of the damned they felt as if they were in hell itself.
‘Be careful,’ Jason yelled out, steering a near hysterical Wendy through the wretched creature’s advances, Selene appeared to easily remain free from their clutches as well, her bow held close. They managed to get through the corridor unscathed. Without waiting to catch a breath they descended the stairs and fled from the tower.
‘Where to now?’ Wendy asked her demeanour shaky.
‘That way,’ Selene pointed ahead.
‘I forgot. We still have to make our way back through this cursed nightmare city,’ Wendy said miserably.
‘Not necessarily, the sky is out of the question and the low ground, too time consuming, but what about the middle ground?’ Jason said.
‘Middle ground?’ The girls repeated. Without further explanation Jason transformed before the two girls, a cross between an ape and a jungle cat, large, powerful and agile. ‘Both of you climb on,’ Jason growled as his alien clothing formed into harnesses across his back. Without waiting for an explanation the girls climbed onto his back and strapped themselves on.
‘Hold on,’ Jason growled with what seemed like a smile but with too many teeth to call friendly. Jason took a running leap at the nearest building, landing several stories high, his taloned hands and feet biting into the stone construct enabling him to grip with ease. With Selene navigating Jason ran, jumped and leapt from building to building, rooftop to rooftop, their high vantage making it easy to avoid the horrors of the city, in a fraction of the time they had made it back to the city’s front gate where with the aid of Wendy and her spells they were able to pass back out leaving Arl’yeh behind them. The girls scrambled off Jason as he changed back into his human form, it was at this moment they realised that Custos and Vigil, the two were-stags were now standing before them.
‘We have the Icarus stone. Take us back,’ Jason said wearily.
They managed to return in record timing, arriving at Zelata’s shack, tired, dirty and drained both physically and mentally. They were about to enter the shack when Selene stopped and regarded the two were-stags, in particular their leather t
hongs around their necks.
‘You’re the missing Remus Twins aren’t you?’ Selene asked gently. Wendy gasped and Jason’s eyes widened, but the were-stags remained silent and unmoving. ‘Come back with us?’ she asked but this time they stepped back into the darkness. Selene was about to say something else but was silenced by Jason who took her by the arm.
‘They made their decision a long time ago,’ Jason said.
‘They were only children. They were bewitched,’ Selene said.
‘They were children. But not anymore,’ Wendy added. Selene sighed and allowed herself to be led in to the witch’s lair.
The door opened with a slow creak and the trio were greeted by the witch’s mirthless laughter.
‘How wonderful. The three of you have returned, with limbs intact and minds whole,’ Zelata said from underneath her heavy cloak.
‘Spare us your mock concern,’ Selene said, her voice tinged with anger at her discovery of the Remus Twins and their own manipulation by this wicked witch.
‘My concern is very real, in particular the success of your task,’ Zelata said with an eagerness to her voice. Do you have what I have asked for, in your possession?’
Jason stepped forward his face grim.
‘We do. But before we hand it over, I have some questions?’ Jason asked. There was a palpable silence as the witch very slowly and carefully placed her hands upon her lap.
‘But of course young changeling. Please sate your curiosity,’ Zelata said with the faintest tremor of irritation in her voice.
‘You told us that we had to be done by sun up, but we’ve been in the midnight garden for more hours than I can count, there is no sunrise here. Why did you lie to us?’ Jason asked.
‘I never lied, what I said was true. If you were to be here when the sun finally rises, you would in fact be unable to leave, remaining for eternity. However, time moves differently in this realm and the arrival of this phenomenon is unknown to all,’ Zelata said.
‘So in other words you conned us,’ Selene said.
‘I merely provided the means in which to inspire you to action,’ Zelata replied. Jason’s jaw twitched.
‘We met an individual in Arl’yeh. He called himself Pollax. He told us that we were wasting our time here, in particular the mission we were on was pointless and that we have now opened ourselves up to further problems?’ Jason asked. The witch sat and pondered this question for a moment then answered slowly and without remorse.
‘This man as you call him has his own agenda, one that runs in defiance of my own. However, in this case what he says is true,’ Zelata said.
‘Bloody hell,’ Jason swore.
‘If it’s any consolation, you had no choice in the matter. Not if you ever want to leave this place,’ Zelata said. Jason grinded his teeth.
‘What was that thing in the tower?’ Jason asked.
‘That abomination you met goes by many names and the myths behind each one are true. By your own actions he is now aware of your presence here and he will want nothing more than the flaying of your very minds and souls,’ Zelata said.
‘Great,’ Selene muttered.
‘Before I hand over the stone, I have one more request?’ Jason asked.
‘You wish to renegotiate… I’m listening,’ Zelata said.
‘Can your sentinels be changed back to their original forms and if so I want you to let us take them back with us,’ Jason all but demanded.
‘Ah the Remus Twins. I can…. but I won’t, they’re mine now and forever more,’ the witch stated.
‘YOU monster,’ Selene spat.
‘Of a kind, yes I suppose I am. So no I will not do as you ask and in fact I want something more from you,’ Zelata said enjoying their unease.
‘Like hell we will,’ Jason growled.
‘You will if you ever wish to return home,’ Zelata said. Jason looked towards Selene and Wendy, the realisation that he had little choice in the matter evident.
‘What do you want?’ Selene asked through clenched teeth.
‘As well as the Icarus stone, I also want the fragment of the Cerberus rock,’ Zelata said climbing to her feet. They all looked at the witch, bewildered. ‘It’s the black fragment that led you to me.’
Jason’s hand went to the small bulge in his pocket.
‘Yes, give it to me,’ Zelata said. Jason hesitated before pulling the fragment out, clenching it tight in his fist. He then motioned for Selene to hand him the Icarus stone, she hesitated but a steely nod from Jason made her hand it over.
‘Jason. I don’t think we should…….,’ Wendy whispered.
‘Ah, the little witch speaks. You shouldn’t be afraid; this is a wondrous thing. In fact, I would very much like you by my side,’ Zelata offered, she said this but her gaze was fixed upon the book rather than the girl. Wendy shied away. ‘A pity but not wholly unexpected.’ She turned towards Jason. ‘Give them to me,’ Zelata’s voice growing tiresome.
‘I haven’t forgotten the main reason that we came in the first place. The Seal of Saturn. Hand it over first,’ Jason requested. Zelata grabbed the talisman and tossed it to Selene who caught it deftly. While this was occurring the book started whispering to Wendy.
‘You’ve got your trinket, now give me the elements,’ Zelata’s voice getting louder. Jason took a deep breath and took a pace forward, his hands held out close together as the stones started to crackle with white energy, Jason’s eyes went wide, and he hesitated
‘GIVE THEM TO ME!’ Zelata screamed.
‘NO. Jason we can’t let her have them,’ Wendy cried, holding out an outstretched hand she muttered something and a thick beam of dark green energy shot out hitting Zelata in the chest knocking her the length of the cabin. As this happened the two stones Jason held were being drawn together by the energy they were emitting, like giant magnets. Despite the shock of seeing Wendy striking Zelata he was also struggling to keep the rocks separated, unsuccessfully. Sparks of light were now beginning to come off the stones as they struggled to come together.
‘I can’t stop them,’ Jason grunted with exertion.
‘LOOK,’ Selene yelled, pointing to the far end of the shack. They watched in horror as the crumpled cloaked figure of the witch slowly got to her feet, the hood was now pulled back revealing the figure beneath. The three of them gasped.
It was a young female in her early twenties, deathly pale skin and white hair like an albino with piercing red eyes, yet also stunningly beautiful, except for the look of abject cruelty that was written all over her face. With Jason’s attention diverted the two rocks that he had been holding came together in an explosion of sound and colour. Jason was thrown back by the force, the rocks melded together as they hovered in the air, the stark differences in their tones becoming one in an orb of striking silver. Then much to the surprise of the three teenagers a stunning vortex appeared, roughly three metres in diameter, a swirling mist of greys and blue with a pure white centre.
‘What is it?’ Jason yelled above the humming noise of the vortex.
‘It’s a portal out,’ Wendy replied.
‘Out where?’ Selene quizzed.
‘Does it matter?’ Jason said. There was no reply.
‘So you want to play with magic. Girl you should know what you’re falling for. Child do you dare to do this. I’ll be coming at you like a dark horse. Are you ready for, a perfect storm,’ Zelata crowed, her voice and presence seeming to grow.
‘Let’s go Jason yelled, grabbing the girls he made to enter the vortex.
‘Wait,’ Wendy said shaking his hand free she ran to the stones that were now only one orb.
‘Wait you don’t kn..,’ Jason was unable to finish his sentence as Wendy grasped the orb and much to all their relief, nothing dramatic or harmful occurred. Wendy raced back to their side.
‘I hope this doesn’t hurt,’ Wendy said as Jason pulled them into the vortex.
‘NOOO. I WILL HUNT YOU DOW……,’ They never heard the rest of Zelata’
s threat as the vortex swallowed them up and closed behind.
Chapter 38
In the Perigord library, exactly where Jason, Selene and Wendy had initially departed, a vortex appeared and three figures stumbled out landing clumsily upon the floor. They lay there for several seconds before slowly attempting to untangle themselves and unsteadily climb to their feet.
‘I am so glad to be back,’ Jason said.
‘You’re glad. I’m going to have nightmares for a month after that hell trip,’ Wendy said gazing at the silver orb in her hand.
‘Well done back there,’ Selene said grudgingly. Wendy beamed at the compliment.
‘Is it just me, or was the witch quoting Katy Perry?’ Jason asked.
‘Really. After everything that we’ve just been through,’ Selene glanced at her watch, studied it intently then tapped its face. ‘Well apparently we’ve only been gone. A minute.’
‘Just like Narnia,’ Wendy sighed.
‘You’re gushing again,’ Selene said sternly.
‘I’m sorry, I can’t help it,’ Wendy replied.
‘What do we do now?’ Jason asked.
‘Well I’m hoping with this,’ Selene held up the Seal of Saturn, which they had managed to retrieve from the witch. ‘We can now visit Mr Vert and get the mace.’
‘That’s if it works?’ Jason said frowning.
‘Why wouldn’t it?’ Wendy asked.
‘I don’t think that Zelata had any intention of letting us go,’ Jason said grimly.
‘And if that’s the case why even bother giving us a working ward?’ Selene said in agreement.
‘But we have to try,’ Jason said. Selene and Wendy nodded in agreement.
‘The question now is, when do we conduct this home invasion,’ Jason said, the concept making him feel uncomfortable.
‘Tomorrow. Time is running out, we have to get it before Kava does,’ Selene said.
‘God, I hope I’m right about him,’ Jason said.
‘If we’re wrong, let’s hope it’s easier to beg for forgiveness rather than ask for permission,’ Selene replied.