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Race and Ruki spewed the water from their lungs and began breathing normal air, once again.
“Wow, I forgot what a weird sensation it is breathing water,” Race said, after coughing out the remaining liquid.
“Yes, my Race. Breathing water is something we all forget we did before our birth.”
“I never thought of it like that. But, you’re right, my Ruki. We used to breath water before being born.”
“C’mon, my Race. The looking-glass mirrors are through this passage.”
“Yeah, I remember this. It was really cramped down there.”
“Well, we’ve already opened the sealed door. So, there shouldn’t be any issue this time.”
“Lead the way, my Ruki,” said Race with Chipper chattering and pointed the way as the little creature continued to perch on his shoulder.
Coming to the end of the passage, they discovered the room was, once again, sealed closed.
“Oh great!” Race protested, “I have to get out—I’m already getting claustrophobic, over here!”
“Relax, Race. We’ll get it open.”
“Our Kaparo opened the door last time.”
Chipper ran down Race, tickling him and causing him to laugh, “Hey now! Where do you think you’re going, little Chipper?”
Scurrying down Race caused more chuckles before the little creature ran under the opening in the door. Squeezing her body through, head first. Then, arms and legs, kicking the floor until Chipper’s butt popped through and the tail following after. The two heard a bolt slide before the door was freed for Ruki to push open.
“Oh man!” Race sighed as he felt freedom from the narrow passage, “Thank you, Chipper!”
Chipper’s tail twitched and flicked before she ran up Race, making him laugh again, “Hey! Cut that out—”
“—Look!” Ruki pointed.
“Wow!” Exclaimed Race. “All the mirrors that were broken, are restored!”
“Yes, they are, my Race.”
“Must be the Bron Vis’Ka.”
“Correct you are, Race Jennings,” a soft voice echoed from the center of the room. “The Bron Vis’Ka has done the healing of Revein’sev, it is healed.”
“You’re the In’gula, aren’t you?”
“Yes, Race Jennings, In’gula I am, I am the In’gula.”
“We’re looking for Gor’con. The Norlock is telling me he’s at the Mountains of Ramari.”
“Yes, Gor’con is in the realm, in the realm he is,” said the soft voice, “Go to the Mountains of Ramari, Mountains of Ramari you should go.”
“Where are you, In’gula? Why can’t we see you?”
“Ela’voo gone, only appear in Ela’voo, Ela’voo, I only appear if here.”
“So, you can only talk to us?”
“Yes, Race Jennings. Talk to you here, I can only, talk to you here.”
“Can you tell us which mirror will take us to Ramari?”
“Seek the Mountains of Ramari, the mountains you must seek. Mirror you will find, if you look—”
“—I didn’t think you’d tell us, outright. Can you give me a hint which way?”
“Looking-glass mirror are many, find the Ramari looking-glass to your right. To your right is the looking-glass you seek.”
“Ah, well, that’s at least a direction.”
“Where is Queen Danielle? Queen Danielle missing, from realm, she is. She is missing.”
“Yeah, well, our Queenie—”
Chipper thumped Race on the side of his head.
“—Ow! Right, sorry, Queen Danielle and Darnash had to take a slight detour.
“Travel to Revein’sev, she must. She must travel to this realm soon.”
“Well, she had to go pick up the scrolls so Gor’con could tell us how to restore balance to this place.”
“Balance to Revein’sev, must be done. Revein’sev must be balanced.”
“That’s why we’re here, again. Oh, and your fire dragon might have broken the gate, so hopefully, they can still get here.”
“Queen Danielle will open this gate to the realm. Open the gate she will.”
“That’s comforting,” Race mocked, “Are you certain the gate will work?”
“Gate of Rantuarie will open for Queen Danielle and Darnash. Queen Danielle and Darnash will open the gate.”
“Okay then,” Race said with raised brow, “I think we better get on moving. It was nice talkin’ to ya’, In’gula. Take care now. We’ll be back.”
“I think Chipper will spot it,” Ruki smiled, “Won’t you, Chipper?”
“Of course,” exclaimed Race, “Chipper will recognize the place at Ramari we need to go.”
“Go now, Race Jennings. You must go now,” the soft voice continued. “Deliver staff to Gor’con, the staff of Gor’con must be delivered.”
“Will that help bring balance to the realm, In’gula?”
“Help it will, but heal it will not, it will not heal.”
Race pointed the staff toward his right and looked over at Chipper, still perched on his shoulder, “Okay, Chipper. I’m countin’ on you too tell us when we find the right one.”
Chipper chattered and squealed with her tail twitching and she tugged to the right on Race’s ear.
“I think the little creature wants you to follow the In’gula’s instructions, my Race.”
“It would seem so.”
Race began walking to the edge of the room where the mirrors were. Holding the glowing staff out front, he illuminated their path before arriving at the first mirror.
“I recognize this one,” said Race.
“Yes, it is the Coast of the Forgotten; Ba’La Stone,” Ruki answered.
“Okay, well, we have a starting point.”
Moving to the right, they passed several mirrors that had no familiar look.
Stopping, Race pointed, “This one’s the Gate of Rantuarie.”
“Yes, my Race. That is where we will go to meet Queen Danielle.”
“Let’s keep going,” Race nodded, then pointed the glowing staff.
Before long, Ruki stopped Race, “Look! This one’s in the Woods of Shavana’ka.”
“Yeah, the fork in the path that leads to the In’gula’s Looking-Glass Lake.”
“And the one over here,” Ruki quickly took a few steps to another mirror, then pointed and continued, “This one is at Bragora Bay where we sailed to subdue Shabe’Tu.”
Running by five more mirrors, Chipper pulled on Race’s ear, causing him to stop. Then the critter pointed and chattered.
“I think Chipper has found the one we need, my Race,” Ruki giggled.
“Yeah, I just love the way she bends my ear. Okay, Chipper. Thank you for showing us where we gotta go.”
“Okay,” Race said, pointing the glowing staff at the mirror, “Everyone ready?”
“I’m ready, my Race.”
Chipper tapped his shoulder and pointed at the mirror, then chattered her answer.
“I take that as a yes, little one,” Race smiled, then turned to the mirror and stepped through.
The mirror glowed like water as he pushed himself through. Ruki followed after them. Then the image of the In’gula appeared in the air. Turning to face the mirror, Race, Chipper and Ruki saw the image fade as the ripples in the air vanished.
“Just remember this spot,” Race insisted.
Chipper ran down Race and over to a stone and pointed vigorously.
Ruki came over and picked up the rock and set it at Race’s feet, “Here’s our marker.”
“Good job,” Race nodded as Chipper ran up to resume perching on his shoulder.
Turning, Race saw wisps of fog swirling around like a cyclone. Holding out the staff he touched the swirling mist. Then the fog began to form Antarian hands that wrapped around the staff. As Race let go, an Antarian image solidified before them.
“Gor’con! We found you!” Race exclaimed.
Chapter Eleven
________________________
Temple of Blood Scroll
________________________
Danielle and Darnash climbed to the top of the pyramid. Mor’relock followed them to the upper step before they sat with their legs dangling beneath them.
“Whew,” Danielle sighed, “that’s quite a climb.”
“Yes, I do remember the last time we were here, you rode on our backs to the top,” Darnash nodded.
Three Antarians met them with the special box for the scroll. Mor’relock smiled, “Ah, you have the container. Did you bring sufficient carnelian crystals to line the box?”
“Yes, Mor’relock,” one of them answered, “There are twelve crystals that will protect the scroll.”
“Excellent.”
Danielle returned to her feet and motioned, “C’mon, let’s get the scroll packed up. We must return to the gate and meet Race and Ruki within Revein’sev.”
Darnash stood with Danielle, “Yes, my Queen. You say a truth this Ma’Nuta’Dii. Time must not be wasted.”
“Very well,” Mor’relock followed Danielle and Darnash to the top of the pyramid and entered the temple of the Blood Scroll.
The three Antarians set the box before the glass case and opened the lid. The glowing red crystals inside illuminated the temple room.
“Care must be given to preserve every page of the scroll,” Mor’relock urged, “There is no other copy of these scrolls. If they are not held within this box, they will begin to deteriorate.”
“However,” Danielle added, “I believe once they are within Revein’sev, they will not.”
“Yes, my Queen,” Darnash nodded, “I think you are quite correct on that point.”
“Prepare for the transport,” Mor’relock motioned, “Unlock the case.”
The three Antarians began the open sequence. One stood at each end and the first in the center. Once the case was unlatched, they all lifted the glass lid, exposing the scrolls within.
Mor’relock carefully reached inside the case and gently folded the scrolls together before lifting them from the glass case and into the carnelian crystals box. Then, once secured inside the box, he lowered the case lid and fastened the latch.
“This box will serve you well in transporting the Blood Scroll to the realm,” Mor’relock nodded. “Take great care in exposing these scrolls further to air.”
“I will take good care of these scrolls, Mor’relock,” Danielle assured.
“Then let us return through across-lands to the cross-way gate,” Mor’relock motioned.
The three Antarians lifted the secured box and followed Danielle, Darnash and Mor’relock from the Temple of the Blood Scroll where they began their decent from the pyramid.
A short while later, Danielle stopped at some rocks and rested, “Sorry, I gotta eat.”
“Yes, my Queen,” Darnash smiled as he sat next to Danielle, “Take some of that Mu’Dooth meat you harvested.”
Mor’relock remained standing with arms folded, “Eat if you must, but we should continue moving.”
The three Antarians carrying the box stood on the path and continued holding the scroll box.
Danielle reached into her knapsack and retrieved the meat, held it up to her nose and sniffed twice, “I don’t know, Darnash. It doesn’t smell good anymore.”
Darnash took one piece from Danielle and carefully sniffed the meat, “It smells like Mu’Dooth, to me.” Then, he stuck his tongue out and gave it a quick lick. Smacking his lips together three times and answered, “This piece seems good. Mor’relock, do you wish for nourishment?”
Danielle tore a piece off and chewed as Darnash held a piece of meat up to Mor’relock. Spitting the half-chewed meat, she swatted at Darnash’s offering, sending it to the dirt, “No! It’s spoiled!”
Darnash chewed off a section and chewed before he spat it on the ground with the rest, “You are quite correct, my Queen; this Mu’Dooth meat does not taste good!”
“I could have saved you from all that trouble,” Mor’relock gruffly answered. “Mu’Dooth meat from this planet does not taste like the meat harvested from Antares.”
“Humph,” Danielle sighed before spitting more from her mouth and wiping her lips with the back of her hand. “Nice of you to tell us when I first harvested it.”
“You did not ask. Besides, the look on your faces was priceless,” Mor’relock chuckled.
Danielle looked over her shoulder one way and the next, then said, “I don’t see Race anywhere,” her snicker snuck out subtlety from her lips.
“You are so mean to Race, my Queen,” Darnash laughed at Danielle’s comment.
“Sorry, but he is an easy target,” Danielle laughed with Darnash.
Mor’relock motioned down the path, “We have rested far too long. Continue to the cross-way we must.”
“He’s right,” Danielle agreed, then returned to his feet, “We should continue and after tasting that foul meat, I no longer hunger.”
“We should burn this meat, first,” Darnash advised.
“You think there are worms in it?”
“There are always worm larva within the meat, my Queen.”
“Do you have a source of fire?” Danielle asked.
Darnash looked at the ground, leaned over and grabbed two sticks, “Yes, my Queen.”
“I thought it was a myth that you could light a fire rubbing two sticks together?”
“Not if you have this,” Darnash produced a silver case. Flipping open the lid, a flame appeared, “My irritating human gave this to me.”
“Race gave you a lighter?”
“Yes, he said it was my beginning day gift.”
“I thought he was going to make you a cake?”
“Yes, he promises to make me one of those foods that have no nutritional value. He said something about not having all the ingredients or the time.”
“That sounds like Race, alright.”
Darnash set the two dry sticks on the ground. Setting some moss on top, he held the flame down, igniting the moss and sticks.
“See, my Queen. Starting a fire with two sticks is easy with this fire box. But you will have to burn the flesh.”
“You can’t do it because the larva is alive, right?”
“Yes, my Queen. The Bron Vis’Ka prevents me from killing any living creature.
Allowing the fire to grow, Danielle gathered the meat, tore it into small pieces and then fed the fire with them, “I will not allow these worms to populate further on Earth.”
Once the flames consumed the Mu’Dooth meat, Danielle kicked the fire and stomped it out, “Now, we can continue.”
Mor’relock began walking down the path. The three Antarians followed, continuing to carry the scroll box. Then, Darnash followed after with Danielle taking the rear of the company.
“We will arrive to the cross-way in a few ma’na’ta,” Mor’relock noted. “Did you bring a power supply. You will need extra energy for the fixer to reach the corridor.”
“Yes, I brought some modified blaster packs,” Darnash nodded.
“This is a good thing,” Mor’relock nodded.
It only took the party to reach the cross-way another half hour. Then Darnash removed his backpack and pulled a power supply and attached it to the cross-way. Lights flickered as the devise came to life. Then, he adjusted the fixer and activated the portal.
“After you, my Queen.”
“Wait,” Mor’relock said, “You must take the box from here. We will not continue with you.”
Darnash nodded his understanding and took the scroll box from the three Antarians. “The weight of this box is very little. Why did you need three Antarians to carry this?”
“It is a ritual.”
“Very well, Mor’relock,” Danielle nodded, “We will take good care of these sacred scrolls.”
Then, she turned to face the glowing cross-way passage and stepped through, followed by Darnash before the cross-way flickered and flashed as it powered down.
Once inside the corridor, Danielle ran over to the crumbled gate, “Oh no, Darnash! The gate’s damaged!”
“A truth you do speak this Ma’Nuta’Dii, my Queen,” Darnash nodded as he examined the gate.
“What’s this,” Danielle said, kneeling down to the base of the cement gate, “It looks like a claw formed into the cement!”
“Another truth you do say this Ma’Nuta’Dii.” Darnash knelt with Danielle and felt the surface of the cement claw, “It is a dragon’s claw, this is for sure.”
“It’s formed into the base of the gate opening like it was grabbing it.”
Standing, the two inspected the top end of the gate. Darnash pointed at the left corner and exclaimed, “This is part of a dragon’s wing, my Queen.”
“It appears there are two wings coming through, Darnash.”
“Yes, my Queen,” Darnash continued running his palm across the frozen figure, “It would appear the fire dragon was attempting to cross over into our realm.”
“You are quite correct, Darnash,” a voice said from behind.
The two jumped at being startled before turning to see who it was, then they exclaimed, “Artemis!”
“What are you doing here?” Danielle asked.
“I am projecting here with the help of Malcom and the rest of the Eridonians. I must inform you that crossing the gate will be most difficult—”
“—no kidding!” Danielle protested, “Do you have any more informative insights you would like to share?”
“You must listen carefully, Danielle,” Artemis emphasized. “Once you activate this gate to Revein’sev, this fire dragon will continue to cross over to the corridor. This fire dragon cannot reside in the realm as long as the Bron Vis’Ka is in full rule.”
“That’s part of the imbalance, right?”
“Yes, Danielle,” Artemis answered, “This fire beast is frozen in stasis; it is stuck between the realm and the corridor. If it is allowed to cross into this corridor, it will attempt to escape to our realm.”
“How is this even possible?” Darnash asked.
