18
“CLOSE YOUR EYES!” YELLED LADY Marianne, turning away.
Martin leaped into the air.
The two light flashes Cyrus had made before looked like small candles compared to what erupted from him now. His wings extended fully on their own and both sides of his wings blazed a light so bright there was nothing to see except white in the entire room. The light traveled all the way up the deep tunnel. It lit up everything and blinded everyone. It knocked everyone close to it out of the air and off their feet.
The light reached a climax and then shot out of Cyrus’ wings towards the yellow window. The window started to glow bright. The two crystals next to the pedestal began to glow. The one on the left, a bright light, and the one on the right, a misty grey.
Cyrus felt as if his very soul was being sucked out of him. The energy that had flowed through him so freely seemed to be leaving his body and taking every spare inch of strength he had with it. It was like ice water being pulled out of his veins.
The light on his wings began to dim as they grew darker and darker until all the light in the room was gone except for the yellow window, pulsating light rhythmically.
Cyrus felt his wings stretch out further and further. Both sides grew darker and darker until, like a bullet, the darkness shot out of him and joined the light in the yellow window. The dark crystal and the crystal with light and darkness lit up.
Cyrus felt faint and struggled to stay conscious. The yellow stone began pulsating in sync with the four crystal pillars.
Then, the pulsating stopped.
VEEEEEEEW!
The four crystals shot their unique quality at Cyrus. Light, darkness and everything in between surged through Cyrus.
Cyrus felt like a battery going 1% to 100% in a second. He felt strong and alert … but it was short lived. Brimming with energy, Cyrus’ body shook erratically as the light and darkness shot out of his wings toward the yellow stone. He felt his body start to collapse and an unbearable pain began in his left wing. A thousand needles stabbed at him as he watched his feathers begin to turn around individually so the black side of his wings faced inward and the white side outward. The room changed with the light of his wings. Half of the room lit up brilliantly while the other half stayed as dark as night. Light and darkness pulsated from him faster and faster while every feather on his left wing turned the other way.
Cyrus was certain he was going to die. His body, his mind, his soul … Everything was leaving him as the light and darkness shot into the yellow stone. He didn’t know how he was still holding on to the sword. There was no strength left in any part of his body. He felt like he weighed 1000 pounds. Then, all at once … It stopped.
The light faded and darkness crept into the Sanctum once more.
There was a brief pause as the light and darkness swirled in the yellow stone like Wadjet. It spun faster and faster, transforming into a swirling vortex. Then, light filled the room once more as the vortex began to change shape and open.
Cyrus fell to the ground, utterly spent. His kept his right eye open as he hit the floor and saw trees and grass. There was a nice breeze that smelled like lavender. The sun was shining and he could hear birds singing.
Is this death?
Everything was peaceful.
“… KIMO!”
That’s Ori’s voice.
“… GRAB CYRUS AND GET THROUGH THERE, NOW!”
Why is he yelling? He’s ruining the peace and quiet …
Cyrus felt someone pick him up and put him over their shoulder like a rag doll.
Kimo …
Kimo turned around and Cyrus saw a flurry of activity. Martin was rushing towards Karlovic who was still covering his eyes from the flash of light. His mother was on the floor starting to come around. Auli’i was tapping Cyrus on the cheek, trying to say something he couldn’t understand. Ori snapped the shaft of the arrows and picked up his sword.
What is going on? I just want the sunshine …
Martin grabbed his mother from Karlovic who began swinging his sword wildly, trying to retrieve his prize.
“GET GOING, YOU TWO!” screamed Marcella.
Lady Marianne turned toward them, drew her sword and wildly started running, flapping her wings for added speed.
“GO NOW!”
Martin had Marcella and began retreating toward them, trying to stop Lady Marianne.
Kimo grabbed the sword, adjusted Cyrus and began running toward the warm sunshine. For some reason, the sunshine, grass and birds started to get smaller and smaller. It had been as tall as the window but was shrinking fast. Cyrus tried to lift his head to get a better look at it but couldn’t find the strength.
“HURRY! THE PORTAL IS CLOSING! YOU HAVE TO HURRY!” said Marcella while Martin hopped into full-flight. He carried Marcella in his arms and they desperately tried to catch up with Lady Marianne to no avail.
“AHHHH!”
Ori clipped Lady Marianne in the air, only getting her arm. She spun around wildly as her sword clanged to the ground. She quickly recovered and continued pursuit. Ori remained on the floor.
She was hot on their tail again and closing. The portal grew smaller and smaller.
Kimo and Auli’i were in full sprints toward the portal. Auli’i reached it first and thrust herself forward, tripping on the pedestal. Kimo came barreling behind and full-on jumped and tucked with Cyrus in his arms.
Cyrus felt the sun on his face and grass on his skin.
Bliss.
Kimo left Cyrus on the ground and raised his shield. Lady Marianne hurled through the portal and met Kimo head on. She may have been faster but Kimo was a brick wall. Kimo stepped forward and bumped his chest as Lady Marianne met him. It was no contest. There was a thump followed by a thud. Lady Marianne fell to the ground, discombobulated.
“Tie her now!” said Kimo, getting on top of Lady Marianne and holding her down.
“With what?!” screamed Auli’i.
“I don’t know, but do something! The portal is about to close!”
Cyrus lay on the ground, looking back on the portal that was no bigger than a Frisbee now. He could see two faces looking at him …
Mom? Martian?
“You come back to me, Cyrus,” she said with tears in her eyes. “I love you …”
The portal was only inches tall.
“I’ll take care of her. I be—”
The portal closed.
Cyrus went unconscious.
Voices … muttering voices … Wheels … wheels turning.
Am … Am I alive?
Cyrus felt his thoughts start to swirl in his head. Pain everywhere reminded him that he was very much alive.
Cyrus heard wheels turning and feet marching. He tried to open his eyes, but they were still too heavy. He tried to move his arms. Not possible. He tried to move his wings. They burned painfully.
He felt like he had just had his insides squeezed out and then set on fire. Everything hurt. His energy was completely gone. He went unconscious again.
He dreamt vivid dreams. Two hummingbirds circled each other endlessly. Round and round they went until one turned to ash.
“Cyrus … Cyrus … Wake up,” said a voice.
Who is that?
“Cyrus … Please, wake up …” the voice said again. It was a female voice.
Mom?
“Cyrus … You have to see this,” said a male voice.
He felt someone sit him up and lift his eye lid with their finger. His eyes rolled up into his head.
“Kimo!”
There was a slapping sound and everything went dark again.
“Be careful with him! You saw what just happened! We have no idea what that did to him!”
“Sorry … Sorry … Cyrus, if you can hear me, make a sound.”
Cyrus inhaled and exhaled a soft wheeze.
“Cyrus, “ said Auli’i, grabbing his hand. “If you can hear us, squeeze my hand.”
Cyrus mustered what little strength he had and gave a slight twitch.
“OK, good. Cyrus, we’re in a city. Some soldiers found us shortly after we went through the portal. We couldn’t understand what they were saying,” she said softly.
There came some muffled grunts from a female voice close by.
“Knock it off!” said Kimo.
“Lady Marianne tried to fight the guards. She’s tied up real good,” said Auli’i.
Cyrus slowly opened his eyes. It felt like his eyelids were rusted shut. Directly above him were Auli’i and Kimo.
“Good morning, sleepy head,” said Auli’i with a smile.
Cyrus breathed in deeply and attempted a smile. Looking directly to the sky, Cyrus noticed he was moving. Cyrus used his fingers to feel the texture of whatever he was laying on.
Hard, but definitely made of wood.
They were bumping around on a wooden cart. Cyrus heard a horse nilly and the hum of hundreds of people all around. Buildings shadowed over him, none bigger than two stories high. Cyrus heard Kimo and Auli’i gasp in unison. Kimo sat Cyrus up and pointed.
“Look! Look at that!” said Kimo excitedly.
To their right was a giant edifice towering over everything. Cyrus could hear the roar of a huge crowd growing louder as they passed.
The cart continued straight and entered into a mysterious city. Hens clucked, dogs barked and people bartered in a strange tongue. Hushed murmurs and whispers passed through the crowd. Cyrus strained to understand. He heard two words he recognized … Lumen Caligo.
Where are we?
The phrase ‘Lumen Caligo’ was heard over and over again as they continued through the city. Cyrus felt his strength sapping again and closed his eyes to preserve energy. The moment he did, he fell asleep.
Shadow … light … Cyrus’ mind swirled with more dreams. All of the colors.
The sudden stop of the cart woke Cyrus from his slumber. Someone pick him up. He was carried like a rag doll through a giant entrance. Cyrus felt shade cover him and the temperature drop. The sound of boots marching echoed through halls. Men arguing in a great number grew closer and closer. Cyrus heard the creak of giant doors opening and the sound of the men arguing exploded into a deafening roar for a moment. Then, everything fell still.
“Cyrus … Wake up … You need to see this,” whispered Auli’i. Her voice seemed frightened.
Cyrus mustered all the strength he could find and lifted his head and opened his eyes. He couldn’t believe what he saw.
Cyrus was in the center of a great hall. On both sides were rows and rows of Lumens, Caligos and Terrams staring adamantly at Cyrus. The guards maintained their perimeter around Cyrus and continued marching forward.
The rows of people made a semi-circle angling towards an elevated seat where a Lumen with sprawling wings and an adorned toga sat. He wore a thin laurel crown, had a Caligo on his right hand side and a Terram on his left. He stared at Cyrus intently.
One Lumen made a comment in a strange tongue on the right side of the hall and then another made a comment on the left. Pretty soon the noise resumed its deafening sound as it echoed through the great hall. Cyrus looked around, utterly confused. They pointed and yelled, screamed and argued.
The Lumen on the elevated throne stood up and held up his hand. The room fell silent. The Caligo and the Terram stood up as well, their eyes fixed on Cyrus.
The Lumen with the laurel crown began to speak slowly, addressing the Lumens, Caligos and Terrams on both sides. Cyrus understood nothing. He felt his strength fading away by the second. He didn’t have much time left.
Cyrus looked forward and locked eyes with the crowned Lumen who cocked his head to the side and beckoned them closer. The guards surrounding the twins clanked their spears on the ground and stepped out of the way. Kimo walked forward slowly with Auli’i next to him and Cyrus in his arms. The crowned Lumen lifted his hand. Kimo halted immediately. The Lumen took a deep breath and then addressed the three of them loudly.
“ROMANUM IMPERIUM SUSCIPIT!” he said grandiosely gesturing to the entire room.
There were hushed whispers and muffled voices throughout the rows. Cyrus was on the brink of collapse again. His mind was already going dark.
The Lumen then looked directly at Cyrus, and in perfect English said, “I am Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar, father of the Roman Empire and protector of her interests”
Auli’i and Kimo gasped. Cyrus felt the darkness about to take him completely.
“The Roman Empire welcomes you, Lumen Caligo.”
Cyrus blacked out.
