Blackwood Chronicles, page 25
‘This place looks very big,’ said Andre. ‘I say we split up to search for Maliki!’
‘If you think that’s best,’ Inock said back. ‘Contact me if you find him and I’ll do the same.’ He walked away from his brother, and Andre too took off in the opposite direction.
Inock went peeking into chamber after chamber; most rooms were empty and some doors were locked with quiet whimpering coming from within them, and there were some where the inhabitants yelled out ‘I DON’T BELONG HERE!’ when they heard Inock’s footsteps.
Thinking it was too dark, Inock conjured up a light ball and searched on. Before long, he had to kill the magical light when he heard approaching footsteps accompanied by male voices. Thinking fast, Inock turned into a fly and waited around a corner. Two venators walked past, both with angry stares. Inock changed back into himself and searched on but in semi-darkness; he knew he had to be more careful, no doubt there were more venators patrolling the prison.
It was when he went lower into the grim fort and through a metal gate in the form of a fly that Inock heard a familiar voice; Maliki’s voice!
Inock followed the voice down a wide corridor and soon found himself at the entrance of a sizeable chamber. He quickly contacted Andre telepathically, telling him he located Maliki and where he could be found.
Inock let out a nervous breath, hoping it might ease his trembling and to calm his nerves … He entered the chamber.
Inock was greeted by the strangest sight. There appeared to be nothing in the room but a great ball of greenish energy, and in the very centre of that ball was a man naked except for the small tight shorts he wore, his arms and legs spread out as though he was frozen mid star jump. Immotshap’s eyes were closed, and he appeared to be unconscious.
Maliki was at the base of the greenish ball.
‘I will free you, lord Immotshap,’ Maliki spoke. ‘The unlocking is almost complete. You will rule again!’
On closer look at the man in the ball of green energy, Inock realised it was indeed Immotshap. The witch was thinner than he looked in Barnarbo’s visions, though his long silver hair seemed the same.
The three relics of power; the Demon’s Amulet of Power, Ms Strict’s stolen ring and the black Brace of Power were revolving really fast around the great ball of energy with brilliant beams of some sort of magic shooting from the artefacts at the round prison; the whole display gave off loud whooshing and vibrating sounds that shook the very walls. It appeared, to Inock, the sphere was gradually diminishing as the magic beams from the three relics penetrated it.
Inock knew what was happening; Immotshap’s prison was being broken down!
‘Stop this, Maliki!’ Inock shouted. He was furious with the older boy. Maliki wanted very bad things for their world. ‘YOU CANNOT FREE THIS TYRANT!’
Maliki jumped and turned around with shock and surprise on his face, then at seeing who called to him smirked.
‘Ha! You’re too late! The unlocking is almost complete!’
And it was true, Immotshap’s prison was now so diminished his toes and fingers were out of it.
‘You cannot do this, Maliki! He is an evil man! He will destroy the world as we know it!’ Inock cried desperately.
‘This man is the greatest ruler our world has ever seen!’ Maliki called back over all the noise. ‘Powerfuls all around the world will praise me for freeing him! He will rule! We will rule! He will rise! Powerfuls must rise!’
‘Believe me, Maliki, I understand what it’s like to be a demon in this world with all the venators everywhere, but this man cannot be trusted! He rules badly and even kills!’
‘NO! He must be freed! He’s been imprisoned here too long! Do you know he was one of the firsts to invade this realm? If he had succeeded, we wouldn’t have venators to deal with! The scared fools captured him and the others and locked them all away! But not for much longer! He deserves to be freed!’
‘But he is a terrible ruler! You can’t trust him! No one can trust such an evil being!’ Inock was desperate, he was very close to attacking Maliki if the older boy didn’t listen.
‘No way, Inock!’ loudly replied Maliki over all the whooshing and vibrating noises. Dust and small bits of concrete rained down from the ceiling. ‘Once I get his orb of power around his neck the job will be complete! Nothing and no one will stop us! There’s nothing you can do! I hate the venators!’
Maliki held the orb of power at eye level; it was a large sparkling diamond shaped like a teardrop, attached to an ornate silver chain.
‘WE WILL NOT SURRENDER!’ yelled Maliki. ‘I WILL NOT SURRENDER!’
Just then Andre came to Inock’s side and gasped at what he saw.
The noise suddenly died out and when Inock looked up at the prisoner he trembled.
The unlocking was complete!
Immotshap’s body lowered slowly to the stone floor, his eyes opening; the three relics of power were scattered around the space.
Maliki too looked to the prisoner and saw that Immotshap was finally freed. The boy looked back at Inock and Andre and grinned before teleporting to his master’s side.
What happened next was very fast.
Inock’s heart quickened to lightning speed; he knew it was all over once Maliki got that dreadful orb around the evil witch’s neck.
Across the chamber, Maliki did just that; he lowered the mystical necklace on Immotshap.
Inock conjured, aimed and hurled an energy ball at Immotshap.
Maliki lay a hand on Immotshap’s shoulder and teleported them both away in an instant, the energy ball crashing into a wall with a thunderous bang. Energy sprinkled all over, leaving scorch marks.
Immotshap was finally free!
‘What shall we do now?’ Andre asked. He looked very scared, and his legs seemed to shake. ‘We were too late, Inock!’
‘Our only option now is to destroy Immotshap’s orb of power, if we can find him!’
Inock went over and collected the three artefacts of power.
At least Ms Strict will be pleased we found her ring, he thought. However, he was filled with bitterness, rage and great dread.
The two brothers left the prison.
Days went by and Inock and his friends didn’t hear any news about Immotshap or dark witches taking over the world. Inock and all of them kept an eye out for Maliki and the witches Barla and Anandre but never saw them anywhere. They returned to New Valley Village many times and walked its streets, hoping to run into Maliki or Adem again but to no luck, no matter how many times Lalita insisted Immotshap must be hidden somewhere in the village.
‘He must be down there! It’s their main base!’ she would say every instance the subject of Immotshap came up.
All the while, Inock blamed himself for Immotshap’s escape; he figured if he did not show off the Demon’s Amulet of Power to the AVC and all those other people, the witches would never have known where it was and as a result, Maliki couldn’t have stolen it.
Even Mabiyah the Oracle had zero news on the matter. The gang even went to Dwayne’s yniqem farm and spoke with Barnarbo, but the usually crafty witch had no new information.
‘The witches must have Immotshap hidden magically. No one I confided in can locate him! They certainly know their witchcraft,’ Barnarbo said.
Inock and Andre also dared visiting Kallam in the venators’ realm to ask the man for advice on what to do about Immotshap; but Kallam said nothing more than to report the escape to the venators; which Inock and his friends chose not to do. They simply couldn’t risk going to the authorities. And anyway, Inock was sure the venators knew by now Immotshap had escaped them and were searching for the evil.
Inock returned Ms Strict’s ring to her, and was at least happy to see her great delight. He eventually replaced the Demon’s Amulet of Power back in the display cabinet in the sitting room. Inock knew he was very fortunate that his father did not search the cabinet looking for the magical relic before he returned it. And another thing; the brothers said nothing to the rest of the family on Immotshap and what they really got up to in the year; Inock insisted his parents would be too furious and might never forgive him for engaging in such dangerous things.
Though Inock and Andre were concerned that a terrible witch had been released back into their world and him along with his army of sinister witches were most likely up to no good, they had other concerns on their minds like the upcoming school exams, working at the venator lookout and Inock’s power-training with his father.
And then that boy Kross turned up again, to Inock’s and Lalita’s great irritation.
The strange boy walked up to Inock, Andre, Villad and Lalita as they were sat on the school steps discussing the elusive immortal witch.
‘Oh, it’s you!’ Lalita said, at seeing the boy approach. ‘What do you want this time? Come to tell us taller tales about gods?’
Kross ignored her.
‘So, you finally spoke to Alloh, brother. I heard that you did,’ the boy said, looking directly at Andre.
‘Yes, I did,’ said Andre seriously.
‘And you chose to stay here?’ Kross asked.
Then with a glance at Inock added, ‘With them?’
‘Yes, I chose to stay. I like my life the way it is! Is that a problem?’
‘Andre, what’s going on?’ Inock asked, sounding concerned. ‘What are you two talking about?’
‘It’s all right, Inock,’ Andre replied, not taking his eyes off Kross. ‘It’s nothing. This guy won’t bother us anymore. You can go now, Kross. I am fine!’
A look of great sadness came across Kross’s face.
‘Okay, brother. If that is what you want,’ Kross said. ‘Though why you would choose to remain in such a … let’s say, interesting place, is escaping my understanding. But I will be looking out for you anyway.’
‘That’s fine,’ Andre said, still not taking his eyes off the young god.
‘Good to hear,’ said Kross.
The mischievous boy teleported away in flashes of white light right before their eyes.
‘What was all that about?’ Inock asked, looking at Andre. ‘What a strange boy!’
‘I’ll tell you about it someday. Don’t worry, buddy,’ Andre told him.
Not a fortnight after that exchange Inock and Andre sat their school examinations in the venator lookout along with other privately schooled children.
At the end of the exams weeks, Inock felt as though a huge weight had been lifted. He thought he did well enough in the examinations and Andre seemed to think the same about his own performance.
Inock knew that if he achieved the marks required to get into Unatia University he would be moving from home and doing that raised an issue for him; should he end his relationship with Rikelle before going to live in Unatia? He very much liked the pretty girl, so it was a very tough decision.
Inock raised the issue the next time he saw Rikelle and she insisted they stay together.
‘We can make it work. Trust me, Inock. Unatia is really not that far away, especially if we use the venator transporters to travel between Kasama and the city,’ Rikelle explained to Inock as they gazed at a dazzling golden sunset down at the Kasama docks. They were on yet another date. ‘I can visit you all the time and you can visit me too.’
Then Inock did something that surprised even himself; he turned and kissed Rikelle on the lips then quickly pulled away. He suddenly felt very shy and embarrassed, hoping she would react in a good way.
Rikelle giggled then looked at the sky.
Inock beamed, feeling happier than he had done in a long time. He silently breathed, ‘Yes! I did it!’
In the end Inock chose to stay with Rikelle and see how it would all work out.
Chapter Twenty One
Wars in New Valley Village
And then one afternoon, at the beginning of April as Inock, Andre, Lalita and Villad watched Power Trials in Inock’s sitting room, Tony the ekinyo bird pecking at a bowl of seeds and nuts by Inock, Lalita got a brilliant idea. (It was still the school holidays, so they were relaxed and enjoying themselves.)
‘I bet Immotshap’s hidden in the secret chambers under the temple! Where else would he be?’ Lalita screamed, jumping up in the armchair.
‘What are you talking about, Lalita?’ Andre asked, looking at Lalita as though she was mentally unstable.
‘What d’you think I’m talking about? The evil witches! Immotshap! Don’t tell me you forgot about him already!’ Lalita said, flapping her arms over her head to drive the point. ‘Think about it, guys! Where else would he be?’
Andre turned to Inock.
‘What do you think, Inock?’ Andre asked. ‘Do you think he is down there?’
‘Of course he is! It’s their base!’ Lalita cried, her eyes popping. ‘He has to be! And all we have to do is find him and tell the venators his location! I’m sure they’ll be more than happy to get him back!’
‘Actually, I think she has a point,’ said Inock thinking. ‘It’s the only place in New Valley Village we didn’t check.’
‘And remember, they think no one knows about the hidden chambers! See? I’m right!’ Lalita was hysterical.
‘All right! We’ll go check it out, Lalita. Just calm down!’ Andre said.
‘Shut up, Andre! I know you’re just jealous you didn’t think of it first!’
‘Me jealous of you? You must be joking, Lalita!’
‘Whatever, Andre!’ said Lalita.
Andre next said: ‘It’s a village full of evil-worshipping witches and demons! I say we first go and get the venators!’
‘That’s a bad idea. What if Immotshap’s not actually down there!’ said Inock. ‘The venators don’t joke around…’
‘No! No! No! Believe me, he is down there!’ said Lalita, forcefully. ‘But of course, Inock’s right; no venators just yet. It’s a dangerous situation!’
‘It’s a whole village of evil powerful individuals against just us four!’ argued Andre. ‘We’ll be killed for sure!’
Quietly, Villad said: ‘I don’t want to die…’
‘Immotshap must be stopped, one way or another! Let’s just get to that village!’ said Inock, doggedly.
Andre tried to say: ‘But we’ll die if we don’t-!’
‘Who cares! If Immotshap and his evil cronies succeed, I can’t imagine anybody will be safe!’ argued Lalita. ‘We either die today or a week from now; either way we must fight! No more discussion; let’s hurry!’
And so Inock, Andre, Villad and Lalita left Inock’s home, the ekinyo bird flying after them.
Andre didn’t look pleased regarding their haphazard plan…
They headed to New Valley Village to hunt for Immotshap.
Inock knew one thing; if Immotshap was allowed to rise to power, the whole world would fall apart; the powerless masses would be subjugated and armies of dark witches and powerful evil demons would rule the world. And he certainly didn’t want that!
Once in the valley village the foursome made straight for the long temple and entered. Again, there were people inside praying silently. Inock and his friends hurried to the back chamber where they pressed the trick brick and proceeded down the spiralling steps. Having mastered the illumination spell, Lalita created a light ball so they could see better.
The group heard voices when they got to the base of the steps. All four of them stopped immediately to listen.
Inock hoped the ekinyo bird was smart enough to stay silent for a while. It liked to screech and scream randomly.
‘He’s not teaching us anything, Anandre!’ Inock recognised Barla’s voice. It came from the room beyond the stairwell. ‘And we are all that’s left of the inner circle! He already killed two of us for not finding him sooner!’
‘It is okay, Barla. It will take some time to get it out of him,’ Inock recognised Anandre’s voice. ‘We simply have to appear loyal until he feels it’s time to share the secrets to his immortality. I do however think I have a clue on what to do. Then we may eliminate the fool. The minds of the powerfuls in the village are sufficiently twisted, the mindless hordes will do anything we ask. The immortals will fall, one way or another! Just be patient.’
‘Yes, but that’s if he ever shares those secrets with us,’ said Barla. ‘I cannot wait any longer, Anandre! He is no good!’
‘Quiet, Barla. He’s coming!’
‘Thank you for meeting with us, master,’ Inock heard Barla say sweetly. He could just imagine her rearranging her stupid face to seem agreeable.
‘It is good to see you, Barla.’ Inock knew this to be Immotshap’s voice; he remembered it from Barnarbo’s visions. ‘You have done very well with the village. I can’t imagine better followers. They certainly are malleable; trusting without question.’
‘Thank you, sir. You are worth it,’ Barla said back.
‘We need to start the takeover now, master,’ Anandre spoke next.
‘We must wait until we have more followers, Anandre,’ Immotshap said, his voice stern. ‘My plans to conquer were once thwarted. I cannot afford to be hasty.’
‘But they are weak, master. They would all be easy, so simple to conquer! We can rule once more.’
‘And what of the venators? They are a great force. Undeniable!’ came Immotshap’s voice again. ‘They will not be so easy to defeat. I’m telling you confidants, we must wait!’
‘I must contest, master! We’ve waited for you for far too long. The takeover must begin now, today even!’ Barla argued. ‘Look what those three did on Farewell Day. Mere children and they had the whole market terrified! I watched the whole thing. It’ll be a doddle to rule everything. Mindless, stupid hordes!’
‘Patience, young one! You think me incompetent? We—must—wait!’ came Immotshap’s voice so loud Inock trembled where he stood. ‘Now that I am back, I have plans. Plans that must be followed precisely! You’re certainly right, they are all mindless hordes to be ruled! Subjugation is my thinking.’
Lalita had heard enough.
‘I think one of us should go and tell the venators where Immotshap is,’ the girl said to Inock. Then, she turned to Villad: ‘Villad, can you do it while me, Andre and Inock stay here and listen to their plans some more? Bring them straight here.’
