We cheered and roared our agreement. Soon enough, the Lady of the Labyrinth made her response.
Well done, champions, take the sword
But still beware of the krojelin’s chord
“Blasted homonyms,” I grumbled. “‘Chord’ as in the music or ‘cord’ as in a rope or electrical—”
I was interrupted by an organ blasting a haunting chord that sent chills up my spine.
“Noted,” I said with a gulp. “Care to explain what’s happening?”
A sword and a leather sheath appeared at Lambda’s feet. The sword was beautiful, with its rich black hilt adorned with yellow gemstones and a blade of bronze. He gently set Kelsey down to take the sheath and sword. Kelsey moaned and sat up while he was tying the sheath to his belt.
“What happened?” she groaned.
“No time,” Lambda responded, putting the sword in his sheath and putting her arm around his shoulders. “We need to get out of here.”
Another bone-chilling chord sounded. Kelsey weakly pointed at the circle they’d been on when they had entered the arena. It was glowing. “There,” she said. “Before we...get in...more trouble…”
Lambda put one of his hands around her waist and another on the arm around his shoulder to help keep her upright as they hobbled over to the glowing circle. Once on it, they ascended to where we were.
Mallum apologized profusely as soon as Lambda stepped off of the circle, but Lambda stopped him by saying, “Don’t worry about it. We need to get out of here. I don’t know what the Lady of the Labyrinth meant by ‘beware of the krojelin’s chord’, but I’d assume those freaky-sounding chords are the ones we need to beware of.”
A third chord shook the walls around us, dropping dust on our heads.
“That can’t be good,” David observed.
A foul smell I didn’t recognize filled the air, making my head spin. Less than three seconds later, the room went black.
Chapter 29
“Awaken, young Magenta,” a gentle voice urged. My eyes fluttered open. A familiar woman was kneeling at my side. She was beautiful, with a chocolate brown braid that was draped over the front of her shoulder. It reached her waist. Her dress was gorgeous, made from pink fabric and lined with gold thread. She looked like a princess, especially with her jeweled headband.
Where had I seen her? My brain still felt foggy.
“Who are you?” I asked, sitting up. I looked around me. The Legendary Keepers lay still around me. They weren’t dead—I could still see their chests rising and falling with each breath—and they even looked peaceful. Kelsey’s wounds from the fight with Vulak had been bandaged.
“I am Lady Ryntha,” the woman introduced. The dream...that’s right. That was where I’d seen her. “Your name is Valida Smith, is it not?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I’m Valida. What happened? Are my friends going to be okay?”
Lady Ryntha nodded. “Your friends will be fine. They are only sleeping. I have a few questions for you before they wake, if you don’t mind answering.”
“I don’t mind at all,” I replied, pleasantly surprised. For someone who probably just knocked us all out with whatever that foul-smelling stuff was, she was really polite. I was expecting more of a capture-and-interrogate kind of person.
“You are not of Zajahan, are you?” she asked, almost sounding nervous.
“Not that I know of, no,” I answered honestly. I’ve never been to Zajahan in my life, but then again, I also don't remember more than half of my life.
“But you are the Magenta, are you not?” Lady Ryntha definitely sounded confused.
“So I’ve been told.”
Her confused expression didn’t go away, but she moved on. “You seek the Zemayta Stone to deliver it to the Dark Elf himself. This path will not end well. If you do not deliver the Stone to him by the full moon tonight, your friends and your Dimensions will perish. That path will not end well, either.”
Unsure of what else to do, I asked, “Do you have any advice for me? Neither option is good; I know that.”
Lady Ryntha nodded, her face grim. “Giving the Dark Elf the Stone is your best bet. You’re right about that much. With the Stone in his possession, he will be much harder to defeat, but it will still be possible.”
I groaned. “Great,” I muttered sarcastically. “Just great.” At a normal volume, I asked, “And there aren’t any better options?”
She shook her head.
“Okay. Is there anything else you can tell me?” I asked.
She glanced at the sleeping forms of my friends. They didn’t stir. “Be careful,” she finally said. “The Dark Elf will not hesitate to capture or kill you and your companions, and Roklin and I can’t guarantee a safe passage to the portal to Zajahan for you all.”
“Good to know,” I commented. “When will my friends wake up?”
“Whenever I want them to,” Lady Ryntha answered casually. “I will wake them soon. I just have one more question."
"Okay," I said. "What is it?"
“What would you be willing to sacrifice for the Stone?”
Unsure of how to respond, I said, “I don’t know. Why do you ask?”
“Let me show you,” she said, stretching out her hand. “Come.”
I took her hand and was jerked forward. My surroundings changed instantaneously. A grand organ, bigger than any I’d ever seen in my life, took up nearly the entire room. Ornamented with jewels, precious metals, and intricate details carved into the pipes, it shone more than anything else I’d ever seen in the Labyrinth of the Lost. A creature, unlike any other creature I’d ever seen in my life, sat on the bench with his rock-like feet hovering over the pedals. The purple-gray armor that made up his rough, rocky skin looked dull compared to the organ he sat by. I recognized both from my dream, and both left me even more in awe now than then.
Without even turning to face us, the creature greeted us in his deep, musical voice. “My lady. Young Magenta.”
“Roklin,” Lady Ryntha returned warmly.
“How may I be of assistance?”
“I wish to show the Magenta the Zemayta Stone,” she requested. “Whether or not I choose to allow her to take it remains to be decided.”
“Yes, my lady,” Roklin said. “Only the Magenta?”
“Yes.”
Roklin’s hands found the chord faster than I imagined he would on such a long keyboard. The sound of the chord bombarded my eardrums. I think I screamed, but if I did, I couldn’t hear it.
I couldn’t hear anything beside the organ.
Beware of the krojelin’s chord.
Roklin was the krojelin whose chords I needed to beware of, wasn’t he? I wanted to ask, but couldn’t. Not with the chord still being held. I tried to cover my ears with my hands, but it didn’t do much good. Two measures. My head screamed in protest. Four measures. Dust fell from the ceiling, as if the walls were about to crumble on top of us. Eight measures.
It stopped.
I fell to the ground, ears ringing, breathing heavily. The chord had overwhelmed my senses to the point that I temporarily lost my ability to think. My mind felt fuzzy and incoherent.
Lady Ryntha touched my forehead with a single finger. My mind immediately cleared and the ringing stopped.
“I apologize, Magenta Valida,” she said, helping me to my feet. “It has been many years since a mortal has heard the krojelin’s chords so closely. I often forget the effect it has on mortal minds.” She paused, but I didn’t think of anything to fill the silence with, so she continued. “Look behind you, young Magenta. That is what you journeyed so far for.”
I turned to face the room that had appeared behind me. A seafoam green stone sat on a pedestal that had strange symbols carved at its base. The stone was small and hung on a golden chain.
“The Zemayta Stone,” I breathed.
“Indeed,” Lady Ryntha confirmed. “Your journey is nearly over. You’ve made friends, solved puzzles, and discovered more about yourself. Your
life has been full of sacrifice over this past Earthen year or so, but the Stone is guarded by the requirement of one last sacrifice.”
“What do I have to sacrifice?” I asked. My heart thumped loudly in my chest. Whatever the answer was, I hoped it wouldn’t be as dreadful as it could be.
“Only a few moments,” she answered, her voice weighed down by sadness. “To take the Stone, you must relive your worst memory in great detail.”
It can’t be worse than the Darkness, I thought. “I’ll do it.”
“It will not be as easy as you assume,” she warned.
I stood a little straighter and strengthened my resolve. I didn’t come all this way to give up now. “I don’t exactly have time to look for an easier path. I need the Stone.”
Lady Ryntha nodded grimly and motioned to the Stone. “Take it,” she instructed. “Once the necklace has been fastened around your neck, it will begin.”
“Thank you,” I said, although I wasn’t sure if I would feel thankful at all after this.
With trembling hands, I took the Stone.
“It begins,” Lady Ryntha whispered mournfully.
I fastened the delicate chain with the Stone around my neck and collapsed.
Chapter 30
“Put your hands on this and keep them there,” a boy instructed. He was a handsome Elven boy, with dark features and obvious determination in his eyes. That wasn’t why I was so nervous, though.
“O-okay,” I stuttered. I placed my hands on the set of clay chains, all linked together in a continuous circle. “Like this?”
“Yes,” he said, “like that.”
I had a horrible feeling in my stomach, as if something was screaming at me, telling me not to go through with this. It was too late; I would do anything to have magic. I was done with being a freak.
This Elven boy—this Umarek that everyone was always talking about—could help me.
There was no way this memory was mine. The simple, gray dress and worn-out shoes were proof of that. My hair wasn’t a chestnut brown and I’d never braided it with a ribbon through it. Who was I? Whose memory was this?
“Three...two...one…” Umarek counted down. After “one”, the chains rose into the air, forming a perfect circle, then sucked me into their center. I screamed as they did, but there was nothing I could do.
Then, I was trapped in a blank world I had never seen before. Terror seized my heart. I would never see anyone again—not my family, not my classmates, and likely not even Umarek.
“What have you done to me?” I screamed up at the nothingness. “Bring me back! Let me go!”
“You wanted magic, didn’t you?” Umarek’s voice taunted. “You are now one of the most powerful beings in the Dimensions...but it comes at a price. You’re stuck there, Rekala. Stuck until someone Links themselves to you. And guess what? I’ll never let that happen.”
I’d never experienced that much hopelessness, despair, and regret in my life.
I was shot back to reality, tears on my own face. Rekala’s worst memory was worse than any of mine could have been. I gasped as my own sobbing choked me. Lady Ryntha placed a hand on my shoulder. I felt some of the pain drain out of me. I stayed on the ground, emotionally exhausted, for a few more moments.
Breathe in, breathe out, I thought to myself.
With Lady Ryntha’s hand on my shoulder, the pain and despair slowly drained out of me, like molasses out of a jar.
Breathe in, breathe out.
I’m so sorry, Valida, Rekala apologized. I didn’t know if my presence in your mind would—
No, I mentally interrupted her. I had no idea how horrible it was to become the Legendary Power. I’m sorry you had to go through that.
“Magenta Valida?” Lady Ryntha addressed me.
My breathing had slowed until it was back to normal. It took longer than I would’ve liked, but I managed it eventually. “Y-yeah?” I responded.
“The Stone is yours,” she said. “I will take you back and wake your friends. I wish you the best of luck with Umarek.” She held her hand out to me.
“Thank you.” I accepted her outstretched hand and was jerked forward again. I was back in the room with my sleeping friends.
One by one, Lady Ryntha touched their foreheads, and one by one, they woke up.
“Greetings, young travelers,” she welcomed them once they had all opened their eyes.
“What happened?” Tom moaned as he sat up.
“It’s a long story,” I replied, “but I have the Stone.” I looked down at my forearm. Sure enough, a mark like the one Denayka had shown us was there. I showed it to the others. “I even have the mark thingy now.”
"That's good, I think," Lori said. "We're almost out of time. Tonight is the full moon.”
"What about Gabrielle?" Regina reminded us. "We have to get her to the Heart of Maserai as soon as possible! If she dies...” She left her threat hanging and settled her death glare on each of us in turn. I shuddered when she turned it to me.
“And, personally, I’d like to survive as well,” Mallum piped up.
“We don’t have time to get to the Lost Dimension!” Lori told Regina. “We might not make it back to Fate’s Clearing in time as it is!”
“As the Lady of the Labyrinth, I have the ability to teleport one or two—three, if we’re lucky—to anywhere in the Dimensions that isn’t portal-blocked,” Lady Ryntha informed us.
“You’re the Lady of the Labyrinth?” Lambda asked. Oh yeah, he hadn’t been there when I had the dream about Lady Ryntha. “You almost killed Kelsey and me!”
“I didn’t,” Lady Ryntha clarified. “Vulak did. That’s his job and, quite frankly, the sole purpose of his existence.”
“Focus!” Lori reminded everyone. “How could we possibly get the Stone to Fate’s Clearing and save Gabrielle and Mallum?”
“We’ll split up,” I said. “I’ll take the Zemayta Stone to Fate’s Clearing. The rest of you can save Gabrielle and Mallum.”
“I’ll come with you, Miss Magenta,” Felix volunteered.
Lori glanced at me nervously. I could tell the memories from my trial of character were fresh in her mind too.
Come alone.
I wanted Felix to come with me. I really did. I knew I’d feel safer with someone by my side. But I also knew that Umarek had other ideas.
You wouldn’t want me to kill your dear friends, would you?
“Don’t.” I wish it didn’t have to be this way. “I need to go alone.”
“Are you out of your mind?” Mallum exclaimed. “You want to face the Dark Power by yourself? You don’t know how to use the Stone, your powers and Objects won’t do much against him, and you want to go alone?”
“It’s dangerous, Smith,” Tom told me. “At least take Wilson with you.”
They would all lay down their lives for you, but would you want them to?
“No,” I responded, trying not to let my voice shake. “Go to Zajahan. Save Gabrielle and Mallum from Umarek. Then worry about me. You need to trust me on this."
“Valida, don’t,” David pleaded. “Take Felix with you.”
“I can’t.” Not without getting him killed. “I’m sorry.”
Lori drew breath to speak, but I shot her a look that kept her silent. She’d been with me in the Darkness. She knew why I had to go alone.
“There’s something you aren’t telling us, isn’t there?” William asked. He’d obviously noticed the nonverbal exchange.
I ignored his question. “This isn't up for debate. We don't have much time left, and we definitely don't have enough time to argue about this. I’ll meet you back at headquarters.” If I survive, I added mentally.
“Fine,” Felix yielded. “Just don’t die on us, Miss Magenta.”
“Not planning on it,” I responded. I turned to Lady Ryntha. “I’m ready to go to Fate’s Clearing if you’re ready to send me there.”
She opened a multi-colored portal. Just before I stepped through, I took a quick glanc
e back at my friends.
I just hoped it wouldn’t be my last.
Chapter 31
“It’s about time you got here, Magenta Valida,” a voice greeted from the shadows.
“I have the Stone, just like Umarek wanted.” The words left a horrible taste in my mouth.
“And you came alone?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
The speaker emerged from the shadows. Her dark brown hair fell in slightly frizzy waves over her shoulders and her eyes—one white from being blinded by Lambda, the other a honey-color—were fixed on me.
Esora Frond.
I took a deep breath as subtly as I could, trying to force down the sick feeling rising in my gut. There was no turning back now. She muttered something under her breath and motioned toward me. A strong force pinned me to a nearby tree, then kept me there using straps—which were made of a material I didn't recognize—that had been hidden in the branches.
It had been a trap.
I mean, yeah, I’d kinda seen it coming, but I’d really hoped I was wrong. Now, I could only hope that my friends could take Umarek down without me.
Esora pulled a pebble out of her pocket that looked like it was radiating darkness. “She’s here, Umarek.”
Mere seconds later, a cloud of darkness had formed above Fate's Clearing. Umarek’s disembodied voice sent chills down my spine. Magenta Valida, we meet once more. You are the key to my victory. Esora, continue as planned.
“No,” I gasped. If Mallum was right, Umarek wanted full control over me. If that happened, he'd gain control of the powers I'd gotten as the Magenta and the Legendary Objects. He'd have the ultimate victory and the Dimensions at his disposal.
A realization hit me. By coming to face Umarek alone, I’d practically handed him victory on a silver platter. He wouldn’t leave my friends alive. I probably bought them a few weeks, maybe a few months if I was lucky.
I’d made a huge mistake. I should have tried harder to find another way!
But was there another way?
The Stone of Power (The Legendary Keepers Book 2) Page 13