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“The fire dragon will manifest into a solid creature. The imbalance first began when Danielle entered this realm in physical form.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand, Artemis,” said Danielle.
“It is really quite simple,” Artemis began, “The realm only has noncorporeal beings.”
“Wait, but Chipper is physical. So were the other creatures we ran into,” Danielle protested.
“Yes, they are now. However, before you crossed into that realm, they were not.”
“So, my entering the realm with the Bron Vis’Ka is the real reason for this imbalance?”
“You are quite correct, Danielle. The creature that Race brought back further shaped this imbalance.”
“What must we do to restore the proper balance?”
“There is only one way,” Artemis pointed at the box, “and your answers are written within those pages of the scroll.”
“Can’t you just tell me the answer?”
“I am sorry, Danielle,” Artemis said with a headshake, “I cannot tell you what you must do. That must be discovered when the time is right.”
“Sounds to me like you’re unwilling to help us fix this problem,” Darnash added.
“You must understand that if I were to tell you what you must do, you will not do it.”
“Why would I not do this?” Danielle now protested.
“There are things that must be done within the realm of Revein’sev. There is only one way. You will fully understand once you discover your path.”
“Do you know if this gate will work to get us in?” Darnash asked.
“And more important, will it function to allow everyone to return?”
“Again, I cannot tell you everything I know that must be done. However, I will tell you that this gate will function as it is needed.”
“Can you tell us how to prevent this fire dragon from entering the corridor?” Danielle asked.
“You may require a device that will work with the cross-way.”
“Which is?”
“A quantum-phase inducer.”
“I have never heard of this device.”
“Not surprising, since it has not been invented. But it is how you will open the gate and keep the fire dragon frozen before entering or leaving Revein’sev.”
“So, we can’t open the gate until we have this device?” Danielle protested.
“You can open the gate. However, the fire dragon will not be stopped in crossing without this device.”
“How are we supposed to make this device you speak of?” Darnash questioned.
“I shall provide you with the necessary schematics so you will be able to build the quantum-phase inducer.”
Artemis stood up to Darnash and touched his temple. With raised brow, Darnash exclaimed, “Of course! It’s so simple.”
“Yes, Darnash. This will not take you long to build. Return here when you are ready and activate the gate. Using the phase inducer tool, you will fire the beam at the center of the gate, where it will temporarily keep the fire dragon in its current stasis.”
“How come you can help us in some ways, yet, you can’t tell me what I must do, once inside?”
“All will become clear, soon enough. Once you activate the gate, it will become clear what must be done. I am sorry, but I must depart now as Malcom has indicated that the first attack wave is nearing.”
Artemis’ image faded before completely vanishing, leaving the two inside the gate corridor.
“That means, we have to return to the Rock and build this device,” Danielle nodded.
“Yes, my Queen. You are full of truths you say this Ma’Nuta’Dii.”
“Dial up the Rock and let’s get to it.”
Darnash adjusted the fixer on the cross-way, bringing up the Rock’s medical bay into view on the cement gate wall.
“As long as we are not fixed to the realm gate, the fire dragon will remain in stasis.”
Doctor Lambert looked up at the image, watching Danielle and Darnash step through, “Back already?”
“No, there is a problem,” Darnash answered.
“I bet the admiral can hardly wait to hear this one,” Lambert said as he stepped over to a console and called the CSC.
Lieutenant Henderson’s voice rang out across the CSC, “Admiral, I have Doctor Lambert for you. Patching you over now.”
Jed donned his headset and gave the comm officer the go ahead, “What’s up, doc?”
“Well, sir, Danielle and Darnash have returned with some disturbing news.”
“I can’t wait to hear this one—”
“—See?” Doctor Lambert said, pointing at Danielle.
“Cut to the chase, Doc; we’re ten minutes from our next jump.”
“Yeah, Darnash tells me that the gate has the fire dragon attempting to cross into our realm. Artemis visited them in the gate corridor and instructed Darnash on building a tool.”
“Can you put him on the comm?”
“One sec, admiral,” said Doctor Lambert, then motioned for Darnash, “The admiral wants to talk to you.”
Darnash moved over to the comm and leaned closer to the microphone, “Yes, admiral. Artemis gave me instructions for a quantum-phase inducer that we will need to hold the fire dragon in stasis while we cross.”
“What do you need for this new tool?”
“It’s really quite a simple design. All I need are an electron magnet, a wave generator, a frequency modulator and a resonance filter.”
“I see,” Jed answered, “I’m not even going to ask what it does or how, but do we have those items?”
“Yes, admiral. It will only take me a few hours to construct the device. I will inform you when we are ready to return to the gate corridor.”
“We jump in three minutes to our next coordinates. Then, we’ll be parked there for the next ten hours.”
“Good. That will be plenty of time to build the device and return to the corridor.”
“Very well, Jed out,” the admiral said, removing his headset. Then, barked orders, “XO, start the clock.”
“The clock is started. Two minutes to jump,” Commander Jameson shouted, “All stations make ready and call it out!”
Chapter Twelve
________________________
The Realm
Mountains of Ramari
________________________
Race watched as the spirit being, Gor’con, held the glowing staff. Shimmering in the light, Gor’con’s body solidified. Ruki’s eyes widened and her brow rose at the sight.
Gor’con opened his eyes after taking in the feeling of his new body, then, shot Race a piercing glare and shouted, “Let your training begin!”
Swinging the glowing staff, Gor’con aimed his strike at Race, who instinctively deflected this first blow. Chipper leaped from Race’s shoulder, hit the ground, and rolled three times.
The staff swung up and around Gor’con’s head before flying down towards the top of Race’s head. Crossing his arms over his head, he successfully defected the second blow.
“RACE!” Ruki shouted as she attempted to step in front of Gor’con.
Chipper stood back near the looking-glass exit and watched as Race defended every blow.
Wisps of fog swirled around Ruki. As the mist wrapped around the glowing staff, another Antarian took form. Then, the staff continued to move through the air as Gor’con spun around. Extending the staff out, he aimed at Race’s ribs, but he moved swiftly and blocked the incoming strike with a sidekick with his foot.
The forming Antarian wrapped arms around Ruki, taking her to the ground in a tackle. Then, the Antarian changed back to the wisps of white fog and swirled around in the air, close by.
Chipper chattered her approval at Race’s performance as Gor’con continued swing after swing, and Race glanced each hit away. Then all at once, Gor’con stopped swinging and planted the base of his staff on the ground before him. Chipper ceased chattering as Race paused in a defensive stance. Then Ruki joined Race, holding position at his backside.
“Well done, Race,” Gor’con praised through a wide smile.
“What the heck was that all about?!” Race protested, refusing to lower his guard.
“You came to deliver my staff and to seek my help, did you not?”
“Yeah, I kinda did—but why the attack?”
Chipper added her protest by scolding Gor’con with her small voice and twitching tail.
“And who was with you to prevent my interference?” Ruki asked.
The wisps of misting fog flowed back to the glowing staff and wrapped around it above Gor’con’s hands. The mystery Antarian began to take shape. First, the hands formed. The large fingers and hair-covered knuckles solidified. Then, the arms appeared, and then the body. Finally, the misting fog changed to large hairy muscular legs and the torso grew up to the neck before the Antarian’s head revealed who he was.
“Ma’Ruuk!” exclaimed the two.
Chipper jumped up and down, clapping her front paws together.
“Why did you do this?” Ruki exclaimed.
“The help Race sought is training. We are in the mountains of Ramari. The place of training, it is,” Ma’Ruuk answered. “It is where I trained Danielle and it is where Gor’con will train you, for what lies ahead.”
“What lies ahead, anyway?”
“Still an inquisitive human,” Gor’con laughed. “You must put aside those human traits and do this, more as Antarian!”
Ma’Ruuk removed his hand from the glowing staff and changed back into the wisps of fog, leaving Gor’con swinging his staff at Race once more.
Chipper chattered at Race as a warning of the attack.
Race, remaining on the defensive, kicked with his foot, deflecting the staff. Then, jumping to the side, he dove at the ground and rolled away from the next striking blow.
“I’ll give you more Antarian, alright!” Race shouted with rage, then leaped at Gor’con’s feet, dodging his next attack. Connecting with his feet, Race knocked Gor’con off balance and to the ground. Grabbing the staff, Race pulled it from Gor’con, causing him to vanish along with Ma’Ruuk. The wisps flowed and swirled all around them as Race continued to hold the staff.
“Ha! Is that Antarian enough?” boasted Race. “Yeah, huh-huh. Is that all ya’ got, big guy?” Race paced back and forth, reading Gor’con and being ready for any move.
“That’s enough, my Race,” Ruki advised. “You got him on this round.”
“Whattya mean this round?”
One wisp of fog flew up to the staff and swirled around Race’s hand. Steam issued from under his grip. Letting out a yelp, Race let go of the staff, “Hey, OW! What the hell?!”
Chipper again chattered her protests as Ruki said, “The vapor burned your hand, Race! Are you okay?”
“No, I’m not okay, this really hurts!”
The staff rose from the ground with Gor’con’s apparition forming once again.
This caused Race to forget about his burning hand and leaped at the staff. His grip pulled the staff with Gor’con’s form solidifying. The two struggled for the staff’s ownership.
“I’m beginning to understand what’s happening, my Race,” Ruki shouted, “This staff is allowing them to manifest as corporeal beings, once more.”
Gor’con held the staff with one hand and held a palm up with his other,” You did very well, Race,” he praised, “You have come a very long way. You are nearly ready.”
Chipper squeaked her approval and jumped vigorously, again. Her face seemingly smiling all the while.
Another set of hands swirled around the staff, forming Ma’Ruuk. His eyes looked deep into Race. Race relaxed his stance and listened to what this ancient Antarian had to say.
Then, Ma’Ruuk began, “This training is, indeed, very necessary. The thing that you must do, is nearly before you.”
“I don’t understand. What do you need me to do?”
“It is not something I need you to do. Rather, it is something you must do.”
“Okay, I get it. It’s important. Any clues before we resume training?” Race posed defensively once again, his arms held up, fists balled. His legs somewhat bent with one slightly forward, he crouched low, ready to defend himself or make an attack of his own.
“I can only advise you that the scrolls must be brought to me.”
“These mountains seem fairly dangerous. Umm, got any another place we can go to meet?”
Gor’con presented the staff, holding it horizontally before him, “Take my staff. You will need it on your journey to Dul’Latch. Bring the staff to me there. Together, we will meet the Master Crafter, Ohna’Thesus.”
Race reached out and grabbed the staff as Gor’con removed his hands. Vapors of fog formed before Gor’con vanished along with Ma’Ruuk.
“C’mon, Ruki. Let’s get back to the In’gula and find the mirror to Dul’Latch.”
“Our marker is right over there, my Race,” Ruki pointed.
The two made their way back to the stone Ruki had placed when another white wisp of fog swirled around the air and then connected with the glowing staff.
“Looks like Ma’Ruuk or Gor’con has something more to tell us,” Race nodded, then held the staff out for the fog to envelop.
“No Race!” Ruki shouted, “I don’t think it’s them. Look! It’s E’nor’Ta trying to take your staff!”
Race jerked the staff from the fog and returned holding a defensive stance, “Oh, no you don’t!”
The fog continued to flow all around them before connecting with the top of the staff, once more. Hands began to form and then down her arms and up to her head, “Do not worry, Race Jennings. It is not you that I wish to harm!”
Chipper ran to Race and up his leg to the level of where the new Antarian’s hands formed.
“It’s the staff!” Race shouted. “You want Gor’con’s staff!”
“You’re a bright one, Race Jennings,” E’nor’Ta yelled in return, her white blind eyes eerily focused between Race and the Staff. An expression of hunger painted across the part corporeal, part fog-mist being, “Destroy the staff, I will not. Prevent you from completing your quest, I will, if the staff, you do not give to me!”
Race continued tugging and moving the staff, preventing E’nor’Ta from completely forming, “You can’t have it! It belongs to Gor’con and I promised to give it back to him!”
Chipper reached out and began biting the apparition’s fingers.
Then the apparition screamed, “Fools, you are!” E’nor’Ta held on to the glowing staff, in spite of the little critter’s gnawing, she refused to give up her grip, “I told you; I would allow you to do what it is you need to do! Just give me the staff!”
“No!” Shouted Race, “You really think I would just give this to you? You’re not going to let us complete our mission!”
“Gor’con’s staff is all I require, Race Jennings!” E’nor’Ta tugged harder on the staff, sending Race’s hands closer to the base.
Ruki grabbed the staff with Race and pulled it back from E’nor’Ta, “No! We won’t let you have it!”
A scream was heard in the air as E’nor’Ta let go of the staff. Swirls of fog attempted to capture the staff, once again. Then, Ruki tugged on Race, “C’mon!”
The two jumped through the air, crossing through the looking-glass. Then, Ruki grabbed the staff from Race, Chipper still holding the staff with her claws was flung in the air from Race, as the little critter held on. Then, Ruki smashed the staff’s base at the mirror, shattering the glass and stopping E’nor’Ta from following. Chipper continued holding on with all four claws and wide eyes, scolding Ruki by chattering her disapproval.
“Wow, that’s hardcore, Ruki!” Race protested, “I don’t think you needed to break the thing?”
Chipper chattered in agreement and shook a stern finger toward Ruki. Then, Ruki returned the staff to Race and said, “I didn’t want to take that chance.”
“Well, we can only hope that we don’t need to return there—”
“Fear not, Race Jennings. Do not fear,” an echo resonated within the mirror room.
Chipper quickly ran from the staff, up Race’s arm and perched herself on his shoulder.
“In’gula?” Race shouted, “Is that you?”
“Yes, Race Jennings. It is I, the In’gula. The In’gula I am. This mirror will heal. It will heal from the Bron Vis’Ka. Healing the Bron Vis’Ka will be done.”
“That’s good to know,” Ruki nodded.
“Breaking the way to the Mountains of Ramari to the In’gula, was necessary. Necessary to delay E’nor’Ta. It was necessary to delay, yes—”
“—See?” Ruki interrupted, “Let’s find the next mirror, shall we?”
“Yes, go you must. To Dul’Latch, you must go. Staff, you need to bring, Gor’con must have, staff. Staff, he must have.”
“Yeah, we’re getting that idea they kind of need it to manifest in the flesh,” Race nodded.
“Yes, they need this staff. This staff, they need. Communicate with Gor’con, you must do. Gor’con must translate scroll. The scroll must be translated.”
“We don’t even have the scroll!” Race protested.
“Danielle hasn’t been able to cross,” Ruki added.
“Scroll you must have. Danielle must have the scroll. Gor’con awaits. You must go to Dul’Latch. Go you must, now.”
“Which way is to Dul’Latch?” Ruki asked.
“You will find the mirror to Dul’Latch, to your north and west, you will go. Go to Dul’Latch you must.”
North and west, got it,” Ruki smiled, then paused before asking, “Okay, which way is North again?”
“I think it’s this way,” Race said, taking off in a sprint with Chipper pointing the same direction.
“How can you tell? I feel completely turned around,” Ruki protested.
“I think the staff is helping me find my way—OW!” Race yelped as Chipper thumped the side of his head, “Oh yeah, sorry, little Chipper. She’s the one showing me the way.”
The two made their way north and toward the west section of mirrors before Chipper grabbed Race’s ear and tugged him to a stop, “Um, I think Chipper is saying it’s this one.”
