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“Securing supplies should be our top priority,” Willa said. “I tried to speak with Tristan about it, but it was as if he was lost in his own little world.”
“Sounds like him,” Cameron huffed. “I’m sick of it.”
“At least the trees stopped acting like ravenous dogs,” Amy said.
“Where are we headed?” Willa asked.
“Out of the forest as we intended from the start,” Cameron said. “It’s time to see what’s beyond it. We’ll look for supplies then. Pacified or not, I doubt we’ll find proper supplies with this murderous arbor all around us.”
“After supplies, I would like us to consider going back home to retrieve some weapons,” Willa said. “If what the old man says is true, we will need to be prepared.”
“Sorcerer,” Cameron scoffed. “Now I’ve heard everything.”
“I believe him,” Momo interjected.
“And why’s that?” Cameron asked.
“You didn’t see the energy coming off of him?”
Cameron stopped walking to glare at her. “What are you saying? You can see his power?”
Momo nodded.
“And how is that?”
“We’re trained to,” Momo said, shrugging her shoulders lightly.
“I’ve never received any training like that,” Willa said. “Never heard of it either.”
“The training regimen is softer now,” Momo said. She suddenly frowned at something behind Willa. Cameron and the rest followed her eyes slowly, and they were surprised to see Balin standing before them, leaning a shoulder against one of the trees that had once tried to kill them. He had a smug look on his face and his body was relaxed, as if they were of no threat.
Cameron couldn’t fathom the arrival. How could Balin be calm when Momo was right there? Unless...Balin had an even more powerful ally in the vicinity.
“Don’t engage,” Cameron ordered, but Momo had already taken off. She emerged behind Balin like a demon—only her face was revealed over his shoulder, and then the glint of her steel blade as it flickered beside his neck. Balin was not concerned.
A second later, something grabbed Momo from behind.
It was as if the shadows had consumed her, and suddenly, she was gone. Cameron took a few steps forward, searching for signs of her presence. “What did you do to her?” Cameron shouted.
Balin took a deep breath and propelled himself away from the tree awkwardly. He smiled wide, as if he was a villain on the brink of revealing a master plan, but Willa would not be convinced of his power. She could see the anxiety in his face, the trembling in his hands, the perspiration above his lips. Though something had grabbed Momo, Balin was still not 100% certain that he could win against them.
“If Momo is gone,” Willa whispered. “If she’s been captured, there’s still a chance her sword is over there. If I can get to it, I may be able to stop him, but we’ll need a distraction.”
“That will be unnecessary,” a voice declared from behind Balin. From behind the tree, a person emerged, cradling Momo in his arms. Amy nearly ran towards him, but Willa stopped her, putting a hand to her chest. “Wait,” Willa said. “We need more information. Find out who we’re up against.”
“Who are you?” Cameron shouted. “Where are you from?”
“I am from the ends of the world,” the man said, placing Momo down gently on the ground. “I am Naaman,” the stranger said. “Born of sin and living a life of sorrow.”
Cameron was not convinced of the tired and worn-out shtick. Though he was indeed dressed in loose bandages and worn-out clothes that were far too big for him, there was a presence about him that Cameron recognized immediately—the kind of superiority he had witnessed all his life in the streets of Musgrave. He was certain that this man had chosen this attire purposely, and he was far more dangerous than he was letting on.
“It’s a ruse,” Cameron said. “This man’s trouble.”
“I respect all creatures,” Willa said. “Humble or arrogant, they will receive my wrath equally if they choose to harm us.”
“If only you had a weapon,” Cameron muttered.
“What do you want?” Amy asked Naaman.
“A chance to entreat you,” he replied. His face was skeleton-like, and his body was gaunt, as if he hadn’t eaten for weeks. It was like he had been a prisoner of war and had just broken free.
“About?” Cameron said.
“I am a dream-maker. A granter of wishes beyond this reality. Should you come with me, I can give you what you desire, and without threat of the other nations and tribes.”
“What’s in it for you?”
“Simply study,” Naaman said. “Your ancestors migrated to this land long ago, but the protection of the Lasting Wall is strong. There are nations that have the capability to destroy it, but they did not see that as a viable option.”
“I get it,” Cameron snickered. “It’s because you might ruin what’s inside. You can’t run experiments on the dead.”
“Not without skewed results,” Naaman smiled. “However, that is their mindset, not mine. I want to offer you haven in exchange for knowledge.”
“Don’t go for it,” Amy said. “I’ve seen people like him before.”
“I come in peace.”
“They all say that,” Amy replied. “As for your offer, I’m going to have to decline.”
“Oh,” Naaman said in disappointment. “I’m sorry to hear that. Is there really no way I can convince you to come with me willingly?”
“RUN!” Willa shouted, just as a hand closed around her throat. Cameron and Amy froze in shock as they followed the source. The long arm was like an anaconda, stretching all the way from inside Naaman’s bandaged right sleeve.
“Come on!” Cameron shouted, taking Amy by the hand. She yanked it away and they ran as fast as they could. Naaman remained behind, dragging an unconscious Willa slowly towards him.
* * *
“IT IS NOT THAT THE Phoenix Nation are bad people,” Alucard said. “It’s just that their conviction is strong. I fear that you wouldn’t be able to make a case before them, and you will find yourselves weeping in a jail cell.”
“We’ll stay away from them,” Desmond said. He glanced over at Tristan who gave a nod of approval.
“Is there anything else?” Tristan asked. “Any other threats?”
“Too many to count,” Alucard said. “Are you sure you want to do this? It’s much safer staying behind the wall. I could escort you back home.”
“I won’t be afraid,” Tristan said. “I know what it’s like to accomplish nothing, to fear your own abilities and to have them shot down by the people you love. For better or worse, I will make my own destiny.”
“I agree,” Desmond said. “I’m ready for change.”
Alucard sighed heavily. “It seems there is no convincing you.”
The door suddenly burst open, and Cameron and Amy fell over each other. Tristan rose to his feet in concern as Desmond looked behind them for Willa.
“What happened?” Tristan demanded.
“He took them!” Amy shouted. “Momo and Willa. He took them!”
“What?” Tristan said in shock. If there was any threat in the forest, Momo and Willa were the ones to take care of it. They were by far the most skilled warriors in their group, and the only members of Hearth. For them to be captured so easily, what threat lied in wait outside the cabin?”
“Tell me everything,” Desmond said.
“It’s some guy named Naaman,” Cameron said. “He told us that—”
“NAAMAN!” Alucard shouted, shaking them all. “What is he doing here?”
“Is he that bad?” Amy winced.
“His influence has been foretold,” Alucard said. He snapped his fingers and Felix jumped up to attention. He ran outside the house, slamming the door behind him.
“What is happening?’ Lorelai asked.
“Felix will be back in a few moments. For now, it is best if we stay here under my protection. Please, young man, continue your story. I am sorry that I interrupted.”
“He said that he wants us to come with him for knowledge,” Cameron continued. “In exchange, he will protect us from the rest of the world.”
“Was Balin there?” Desmond asked.
“Yeah,” Amy said. “He must work for Naaman or something.”
The door flew open and Felix ducked under the frame. He handed Alucard a purple tome with pages that had frayed edges. Alucard opened it like a long-awaited package, caring little for the condition of the contents.
“Here,” Alucard said, slamming his index finger on the page. He walked over to Tristan and spun around so that he could look. The others crowded around them. “This is my master’s book, containing visions and inscriptions of future events. It is known as a Key of Solomon, and in all the world, there are only three. With this, we were able to stop many world-ending events, but the terrible thing about this book is that it doesn’t specify when an event is supposed to occur, only the individuals involved and occasionally a place.”
“Is this why our ancestors were important?” Tristan asked.
“Yes, your ancestors’ migration was foretold.”
“And Naaman is listed here?” Amy asked.
“Unfortunately,” Alucard sighed.
“What does it say?” Cameron asked.
“That he will bring upon us the end of the world,” Alucard whispered. “What is known will be destroyed. All nations will be tried by fire, and then he will remake the world in his image. Naaman will be the new god of this world, worshipped and revered, and he will possess the power to reinforce those beliefs. He will reign for centuries, until he grows tired of his kingship. Then the apocalypse will occur by his hand, and he will leave this world for another.”
“What the hell,” Amy whispered under her breath.
“The book hasn’t been wrong yet,” Alucard said, closing it quickly.
“Maybe it’s a different Naaman,” Desmond suggested.
“It says he has power,” Cameron said. “Does that mean he has it now, or he acquires it later?”
“He took out Momo,” Amy said.
“It doesn’t mean he can take down a sorcerer,” Cameron said, crossing his arms. “We don’t know what condition he’s in right now.”
“You said that you were able to use this book to prevent disasters,” Tristan said. “That means this Naaman is not a certainty.”
“From my experience,” Alucard said, “and my master’s stories...every major event that was averted required a massive amount of planning and execution. The bigger the event, the higher the stakes and the lower the odds of preventing it. Out of the 100 major events throughout this world’s history, only 6 have been overturned, and that was after many nations allied together and assisted.”
“When was the last one?” Cameron said. “Centuries ago?”
“Some of the events are positive...but the last major negative one that was averted was exactly 3000 years ago, when my master’s grandfather was still an apprentice. It was called the Great Separation. The world’s nations had come together and stopped a powerful nation that had achieved unprecedented leaps in technology. They had begun to overtake other countries, and so they had to be stopped. Fearing the technology was too dangerous, it was destroyed, but not before the leader of that nation activated one last defense as he lay dying, teleporting us all over the globe. Struggling to survive, and not knowing how far one would have to travel to reunite us all, civilizations began rebuilding where they were placed, forming the countries and people that are in place today. The exiles of each nation slowly found each other and eventually, partially due to the Cataclysm, the three communities came out of it. It was not until your ancestors ventured out that anyone made an attempt at a major expedition.”
“Until now,” Tristan said.
“Yes,” Alucard said, “perhaps...this is all a sign of things to come. You...you should head back immediately! Try to find a way to—”
“That’s not what Tristan’s thinking at all,” Cameron laughed, shaking his head. “Are you?”
“We’re not running,” Tristan said, taking a quick glance around the room. “I’m not running. If Naaman is supposed to be so powerful that he would be deemed a god by the entire world, then what will the Lasting Wall do? Where could we be safe? From what you’re saying, our strength lies in numbers—with the help of the other nations around the world.”
“That is an impossible task,” Alucard said. “Without some kind of teleportation device, it could take years beyond your lifespan to travel the globe. Others, long after you’re dead, would have to carry on, and even then, the people you meet would have to be on your side. They do not know of the Great Separation. To them, they have lived where they are forever. Very few of them would have had the story passed down, and it would surely have been altered by now. Not to mention that Naaman would be getting stronger in the meantime, and the Key of Solomon does not specify when he comes to power. It could be just as long as your expedition, or it could be tomorrow. What would be the point of putting that insurmountable task on your shoulders?”
“Purpose,” Tristan said.
“Hope,” Lorelai interjected, giving Alucard a smile.
“Glory,” Amy said, pounding her chest.
“Change,” Desmond winced.
“Power,” Cameron said aloud. The group glared at him and he chuckled lightly. “Oh, come on, power doesn’t equal evil. It can be a good thing.”
“Says the guy from Musgrave,” Amy muttered.
“I’m from Musgrave too,” Lorelai said.
“You sure are, “Amy laughed heartily.
“Don’t mind them,” Tristan said, looking at the tome in Alucard’s hands. “I have a question. If Naaman came to this cabin, would you be able to stop him?”
“It depends,” Alucard said. “I don’t know what he’s accomplished before revealing himself here. It’s possible that his journey has just begun, but I wouldn’t know for sure until I engaged him.”
“I think he’s coming,” Lorelai said suddenly. She clasped her hands together and looked up to the ceiling.
“How do you know?” Cameron asked.
“One of the Ancients told me,” She replied.
“I asked a serious question,” Cameron said.
“I’m not lying,” she said. Tristan waved a hand towards Cameron and approached her.
“Are you sure?” Tristan asked. “An Ancient told you this?”
“Yes, I promise.”
“You’re entertaining this?” Cameron scoffed.
“Why not?” Tristan asked. “Do you have anything to contribute besides your mouth?”
“Watch it,” Cameron said, walking away. He headed towards the stools by the fireplace and sat down.
“I’m sorry,” Tristan said, turning back to Lorelai. “What exactly did the Ancient say?”
“That Naaman is heading to the cabin and that we should leave.”
“Anything else?”
“No,” she winced. “The connection was severed afterwards.”
“Good enough for me,” Tristan said, glaring over at Cameron. “We’ll head out.”
“And go where?” Alucard asked. “It’s dangerous.”
“Everywhere is dangerous,” Amy said. “Even home. At least we might find a weapon out there. I’m sick of talking.”
“We need to come up with a plan for when we come across Naaman,” Tristan said. “I’d rather avoid him, but we have to get Momo and Willa back.”
“We know nothing about him,” Cameron shouted. “Just that a Great One couldn’t touch him.”
“I’ll say a prayer,” Lorelai said.
“Ah, problem solved,” Cameron snickered.
“No harm in it,” Tristan said. He took a deep breath and scanned the room. “Desmond, using what you know about each of us, try to come up with a plan, even if it involves sacrifice. Can you do that?”
“I’m not Willa,” Desmond said, rubbing the back of his neck. “But I’ll do my best.”
“I’ll begin conjuring some more protection spells,” Alucard said, turning to Felix. “You stay inside and keep our guests safe. I will return in—”
The Key of Solomon burst into flames.
Alucard dropped the book and began patting his burning sleeves upon his robe. He frantically flailed about as the door to the cabin opened slowly. Naaman stuck his head inside and looked around.
“Oh, it’s a party,” Naaman said. “I love parties.”
