The Intrepid Three, page 9
Lux fluctuated above the conversation at the booth and kept watch for the quickly approaching henchmen. Thankfully, the dialogue ended, and Lux was already in position to lead Arabella to the locus. No longer desiring to hide, Lux shone brightly above her. The guide led the unwitting girl through the maze of booths into the garden before zipping through the curtain separating the worlds.
15
ANIMUS MONDAY 10:32 P.M.
“Well done!” Author stated enthusiastically to Arabella and Dez just moments after arriving in Animus. The disoriented girls stared blankly at the all-knowing being. “Good. All my protagonists are together. I guess I should make formal introductions. Dez, this is Walter, and you already know Arabella. Arabella, you already know Dez, but this is Walter. And Walter, meet Dez and Arabella.” The clueless teens smiled awkwardly at each other.
Continuing on as the only willing speaker, Author addressed Lux. “Friend, I can always count on you to be the best guide. Even in danger, you don’t fail me.” Lux gave two bright flashes in acknowledgment and appreciation. “The Switcher has fully infiltrated E-Corp and is using its security for the foulest of work. Thank you for retrieving them before matters escalated.”
Walter was the first of the kids to speak, being the most acquainted with Author. Nervously, the boy began, “Author, where are we, and what are we doing here? Just hours ago, I was in the library. Since I got here, you’ve dodged all my questions and continued to tell me stories while we waited. Is this who we were waiting for?”
“Yeah, we were just in The Core talking to Sophia. Where are we?” Dez asked. “And by the way, who are you?”
Author calmly and kindly replied, “Sophia is a good friend of mine, much closer than most. She dispenses much more than fleeting relief. I’m glad you listened to her.” It was not lost on the adolescents that Author did not answer their questions.
Silence fell amongst the group. In the moments that passed, the teens measured up each part of their triad. Each concluded that none of their counterparts appeared that special. They all looked pretty ordinary and were skeptical of their bond. Author had intentionally brought the three together, but why?
Their apparent leader stood in the middle of a vast plain covered in wild blaze. Author gestured for the youth to sit. As before, the plush and flashing vegetation formed chairs for each party. The teens nervously eyed a storm raging in the distance as they sat down. “I’ve looked forward to this day for centuries. We have a lot to discuss and very little time, so let me begin.”
Taking a seat with the group, Author pressed on. “Over the years, I have been called many things. I allow those that directly communicate with me to choose what name best suits me. I met Walter just earlier today, and Walter chose to call me Author. This name is quite fitting, since I wrote everything into existence, and nothing is untouched by my ink. So, if you don’t mind, let’s stick with the name Author.” The teens nodded in agreement, seemingly transfixed.
“The planes that each of you know are relatively new. Well, at least newer in the grand scheme of things. They all originated from a world called Pax. For years, Paxians were righteous people. Their good deeds created the Lumen that lived in their company. Lumen were living representations of the Paxians’ virtuous acts. Every good action created a new Lumen, and their numbers multiplied.”
Author studied the eyes of the trio for a few seconds to make sure their attention was fully captured.
“Paxians could not find contentment. Happiness became boring, and joy became dull. Evil took root in their hearts, and the first person to commit evil found it stirring. After those first unholy words were spoken, a new creature was unleashed—the Murk. Evil was contagious, and the poisonous representations of Paxians grew rapidly among them.”
The adolescents all reacted differently. Arabella, being the youngest, was visibly shaken. Dez, prone to distrust, had a look of disbelief. And Walter, the most even-keeled, was just happy to finally get some answers.
Author continued, “The first Murk grew in prestige and power. This influential original Murk became known as the Switcher. It is the most wicked villain of all time. This creature tempted Paxians to do evil, so more Murk were created for an army. Its goal was to rid the world of Paxians and their Lumen and possess Pax for itself. Evil became so rampant that the Murk began to overpower the Lumen and extinguish them. The Paxians began to destroy each other and their world. They were well on their way to self-destruction.”
Author paused, head bowed and looking solemn. “The world I had lovingly written into existence was crumbling under the weight of the darkness of people. Pax cared for its inhabitants even though they did not care for it, so I allowed Pax to divide its atmosphere, which created the three separate planes that exist today. The world split itself to try to slow the destruction and harm done by humans. Animus, what you see before you, is all that is left of the original Pax.
“Here, the Lumen guard the loci, and the Murk are prevented from interacting with people in their planes. While the supernaturals are stuck here, the actions of people in the planes still create Lumen and Murk in Animus and affect the stability of the atmosphere. The Switcher was meant to be trapped here as well, but it created an escape route from its prison. There are consequences on this means of evasion, though. Crossing out of the atmosphere of Animus forces the Switcher to take the form of a human being in each plane, which reduces its supernatural power.”
Author’s narrative struck a chord with Dez and her reality in Euporia. Hungry for more information, she asked bluntly, “Do I know the Switcher? Do any of us know the Switcher?”
With a reassuring tone, Author responded, “Dez, do not worry. You will get the answers to your questions, but I am a writer, and I must not skip any pages in the story.” Author continued, “The spread of evil slowed by breaking Paxians into three smaller groups, and the three planes were filled with ex-Paxians. The three planes are the ones you know today: Euporia, Aurelia, and Immerxia. This happened so long ago, it is ancient history. It is told as folklore in some small circles, but is largely dismissed as mythology.”
Author went on to explain the geographical phenomenon surrounding them. “The planes exist entangled together with Animus. It keeps the planes invisible and isolated from the others. But from inside Animus, at any time, you can see the overlapping planes at a single point.”
All the teenagers turned their heads in different directions to observe the spectacle. With this new understanding, and at Author’s revealing, the young people saw the looming skyscrapers of Euporia, the picturesque parks of Aurelia, and the cookie-cutter neighborhoods of Immerxia overlapping before their eyes. “So, that’s what I saw when I was here last time,” Arabella declared emphatically.
“As you can see, the world is much more complex than any of you could imagine. Now, you must be wondering why you’re here, and why I’m telling you all of this. You were all written into existence for a purpose, a world-changing purpose. I knew that people would not be able to defeat evil on their own, and you would be necessary to save them. Each of you has a special ability, even if you do not know or acknowledge it yet. I know this may be hard to believe, but trust me, I am the one who developed your characters.”
Looking directly at Dez, Author said, “Destiny, you have the power to heal the ones around you. Remember Val and the woman in The Market? You truly alleviated their distress. This is just the beginning of your gift. If you learn the worth and value I gave you, then you will be able to heal people across every plane.”
Before Dez could respond, Author turned toward the young man. “Walter, you have the power to alter and manifest tangible objects. Today, you really did materialize a meal for your hungry classmate. This is small in comparison to what you can do. If you trust my truth, you will be able to turn valleys into hills and flatten mountains.”
Finally, Author turned toward the youngest of the group. “Arabella, you have the power to foresee moments in the future. Does this encounter not seem familiar to you? You’ve dreamt this moment many times before. Your dreams are glimpses into the future. Before my ink even dries, you know what I have written to come. If you can let go of your world and rely on us, then you will be able to manipulate the future.” Arabella’s eyes widened as she was finally able to discern the words spoken so many times in her most frequent, recurring dreams.
Walter asked the question aloud all three teenagers were thinking, “Why us? Why not someone older or with more influence?”
Author answered, “Each person I write into existence is a word in my chronicles, and they have the ability to guide their own story. But each of you is not just a word but a coauthor. My ink courses through your veins, gives you life, and allows you to produce works. You don’t need to be older, and you already have the influence you need. You have the ability to cowrite the ending of this story with me. The three of you together can alter the past, present, and future. I wove your gifts into these final chapters of my masterpiece.”
The determined speaker continued to persuade the attentive teens. “The inhabitants of the planes need you and your gifts, now more than ever. They were meant for so much more than what they have become, but you can restore them. It starts with you being their virtuous example. Can you imagine? To build a community founded on love rather than vices? To embrace differences rather than wage wars over them? To care for the other rather than cast them aside? This is possible, and so much more, with you leading the way. Teach them there is another way, a better way, to live.”
Suddenly, Author’s piercing gaze focused on flashes of lightning in the distance. “I know this is a lot for you three to take in, but you must use your gifts to transform your planes. Only with these talents will victory be possible. To win the battle, you must help people fight for righteousness so their acts of good prevail over evil. From this, you will ensure Lumen outnumber the Murk and develop the army you need. Only then will the Switcher be defeated and the planes restored.
“Battles are happening here, but soon, they will begin in your planes. Without my Lumen guarding the loci, and without the atmosphere separating the planes from Animus, people will inevitably face the Murk. Know, this will be dangerous. The Switcher is powerful and has infiltrated each plane deeply. Many people will be deceived into looking for you and helping our adversary. People will turn on each other, but they will especially turn on you. But be encouraged, you are destined to succeed. There will be setbacks along the way, but these will not prevent your inevitable victory.”
Author studied the teens’ faces and then offered, “I cannot make you partake in this fight. It must be your own choice. Be assured, light may seem fickle when it flickers and flutters, but oh, it is much more powerful than dark when it is freed. It adapts, it changes, and it grows. Darkness stays stagnant and depends on the absence of light. Light always has the potential to overcome darkness, if only we allow it.
“Also, know that I will not abandon you on this mission, and I will be with you every step of the way. I know you have many more questions, but you will understand much more over time. Now, you must decide. Will you join me? Will you prolifically fill the blank pages?”
The storm drew nearer. Each of the chosen triad stood and faced their captain. Each thought hard about the story woven before them. Each made up their mind.
After a few moments passed, Walter took a deep breath and spoke first. “I’m in. Immerxians may be lost, but I don’t think they’re a lost cause. I couldn’t live with myself if I did nothing despite knowing I could help.”
Timidly, Arabella followed. “Author, I’m ready to start. I’m nervous to leave Aurelia, but I know that if I don’t fight, there might not be an Aurelia to go back to. I want to save my home and my people.”
After a dramatic silence, all eyes were on Dez. She had the least to lose and so little to go back to. Her eyes fell to the poem scrawled under her ripped sleeve. “There is little to feel in Euporia but despair, but for the first time in my life, you have made me feel hope. I can’t walk away from this feeling. Let’s do this.”
Lux responded to their affirmative answers with a bright sustained burst of light. Their excitement grew as their bond was cemented. Author showed little surprise at the courage displayed. “Good. You will be my Intrepid Three. We must begin immediately. It’s time to sharpen your skills and make allies.”
Before Author could continue, streams of light emanated from the atmosphere as it began to part in the middle of the circled assemblage.
After a slow ascent in the vintage Xitus Library elevator, Caroline used her hands to slide the metal gates outward. She propelled herself off the elevator and looked across the second floor. It only took a few moments to scan the entirety of the balconied story. Similar to the first, the most prominent feature of the second floor was the continuation of the stained glass scenes. Walter was nowhere to be seen or heard.
“Walter, where are you? This isn’t funny,” Caroline called out. Not hearing a response, Caroline peered through the bars of the wrought iron balcony railing suspended above the stacks. Walter being nowhere in sight, she muttered under her breath, “Of course, just like a boy to leave you hanging.” After scanning the second floor once more, she quizzically stated, “He’s got to be around here somewhere.” Suddenly, from the opposite side of the library, Caroline heard a loud slam echo downstairs. She thought she saw another one of her classmates enter the stairwell.
The individualist, not wanting to just stand around and wait, set off around the second story in search of the stairwell. Abandoning the rickety elevator, for now, Caroline decided to head toward the stairwell, where she hoped to meet Walter on the upper landing. There was a small stained glass window inlaid in the oak door to the stairwell. The art depicted the backs of three young adults sitting in front of a figure that was uncannily similar to the librarian.
Caroline gave a tug on the heavy wooden door and quickly drove herself onto the stairway, landing and narrowly avoiding the swinging door. Steadying at the edge of the stairs, she noticed light refracting through dust particles in the air. The beams formed uniform columns. With an outstretched hand, Caroline reached for one of the cords. Her wheels lurched forward and shockingly threw her body and wheelchair into an outdoor nightscape instead of crashing down the library stairs.
The ever-adventurous Caroline gracefully landed upright and in her chair. The deep groundcover slowed her momentum and protectively wrapped her spokes with its vines. As the Xitus Library disappeared behind her, she marveled at the scene before her – hills of vegetation that flashed a kaleidoscope of color and brewing storms in every direction. The pulsating and fluctuating lights were mesmerizing as she trudged up a hill.
Reaching the top, the faint outline of four beings interrupted her gaze.
16
ANIMUS MONDAY 11:11 P.M.
The group stood aghast as the atmosphere parted and unveiled Immerxia. Walter recognized the slick marble stairs of the Xitus Library interior. He even heard Caroline faintly shout, “Where are you?” A young female silhouette approached the open locus.
To Walter’s shock, Caroline did not appear in Animus. Instead, the form of another young woman slowly dissipated as it passed through the atmosphere to expose a tall and looming figure. In the girl’s place was the shadowy representation of the first transgressor, which floated slightly above the blaze. The vegetation appeared to lose its glow below the being. A scent of decay started to fill the onlookers’ nostrils.
The teens were horrified to look upon the Switcher. Its face was hollow and sunken. There were no eyes within the sockets. The being appeared soulless, barely resembling its human originator. Instead, it encompassed the grotesqueness of every bad actor in history. A dark fog filled the air within the Switcher’s frame. Swinging from its gaunt body were all forms of restraints—chains and ropes of various sizes—symbolizing the tethering of odious human souls to their master.
“Hello, my old friend. Are these your selected heroes? They look formidable. My worry was not wasted,” the Switcher stated facetiously in a gravelly voice to Author. Unlike the less powerful Murk, the Switcher was able to speak words. “I see that they call you Author. How fitting. I could think of a few less flattering terms.”
Author ignored the nemesis’s greeting and kept watching the protagonists. The Switcher continued, “By now, Author has surely told you how terrible I am, and how I must be stopped. Well, let me formally introduce myself. I am known as the Switcher. Or, as I like to call myself, the Lord of Chaos.” It emitted an evil laugh. The teenagers looked to Author for guidance, but their leader did not react to the Switcher’s words.
The Switcher rolled on. “I was born out of the first wicked words uttered by a human. It was a world-altering decision of that Paxian to breathe evil into existence. They did not know they would create me, but wasn’t that a lucky consequence? Fortunately for me, it is enticing to be bad, so evil spread within them and throughout the land of Pax. With every contemptible action, a Murk was created, so I did very little work to create my own army. As you can see, people have been very bad.” The Switcher motioned behind it to the rows of Murk falling into formation.
As Dez, Arabella, and Walter realized this terrifying creature was hauntingly familiar, the haughty Switcher stated, “Well, that’s enough of a history lesson. I think we all get it. People are bad, Murk are created, and I grow in power. There is no reason for me to lie to you. I want the world for myself. So, how about the big reveal? Would you like to know who I am to each of you? We all have an intimate connection. By my own design, of course.”
Offering a chance of reprieve, Author interjected, “My Intrepids, these next words spoken to you will be hard to hear, but it is vital you know. Remember, nothing falls outside of my plot. As always, I am here with you, and you have nothing to fear.” Directing attention to the Switcher, Author warned, “Tread carefully. We both know I can end this moment in an instant.”
