It was just before sunrise when Ret emerged from the back door of Stone’s residence, the sprawling structure that was once the Principal’s home and now served as the top level of the renovated Keep. With his backpack slung over one shoulder and the Iron Pillar across the other, Ret moved purposefully across the swampy backyard, the morning dew licking at his flip-flops as he went.
Ret had spent the previous night locked away in his bedroom, ignoring the never-ending onslaught of knocks and voices and messages that came to his door. He hadn’t slept much due to thoughts of what he’d witnessed down in Neo’s chamber, competing with his anxiety and disappointment about the colosseum battle, not to mention his looming battle-to-the-death with Lye. So, after hours of tossing and turning, Ret arose in the pre-dawn darkness and put pen to paper, writing a letter to his family and closest friends in his final attempt to explain what was in his head, his heart, and his future. Ret then got dressed, packed a simple bag, and departed, leaving the hand-written letter and a small package on the porch of Mr. Coy’s residence within the Keep.
As Ret approached the cloven trunk of the bald cypress tree that housed the hidden trilithon, he stopped and peered up at the sky. Its expanse had shifted to a beautiful cobalt blue, with thin clouds appearing to stretch like long, dark fingers, reaching across the heavens for some distant, unknown treasure. Behind him, Ret heard the back door open and close.
He turned to find Mr. Coy standing at the edge of the large wraparound porch, his hands in his pockets as his greying hair shimmered in the morning light. The two stood looking at each other for some time, the croaking of frogs filling the space between them.
“Where’s your top hat?” Ret finally prodded, retreating back to the porch a few steps.
“Oh, I put it away. The festivities concluded after you left.”
“Because I took your Iron Pillar and ended the battle?”
“No, it needed to end. It was getting absurd and out of hand,” Mr. Coy said as he stepped off the porch. “Anyhow, that isn’t my Iron Pillar, it’s yours. I made it for you.”
“Thank you. It’s truly amazing.”
Ret looked to the horizon where the sky was now an opaque white and the tops of the trees had taken on a golden glow. “I’m sorry, sir, but I have to go now.”
“I know, son.”
“I left a letter and a package.”
“I saw it. I’ll make sure the others see it as well.”
“Thanks, for everything,” Ret said, as the morning sun streamed through the trees, a bright beam of light catching the top of the trilithon. He stepped towards it, turned around, and lifted his left hand so his palm faced Mr. Coy, a new five-pronged star-shaped scar glowing thereupon.
“Yes, well, I suspected as much,” Mr. Coy said, seeing the new scar and supposing it was time to collect the water element.
“Just figured someone should know,” Ret said.
“Do you need the Oracle where you are going? I have it here with me.”
“No, you keep it,” Ret replied. “I have a feeling you will need it more than I will, plus we don’t want Lye to steal it from me.”
Coy simply nodded.
“Goodbye Mr. Coy. See you on the other side.” Ret stepped into the tree’s cloven trunk and disappeared.
Mr. Coy turned around and stepped back onto the porch, finding Jaret there waiting for him.
“Was that Ret?” Jaret asked.
Mr. Coy nodded.
“Shouldn’t we go after him?”
“We could, if we knew where he was going.”
“So, what’s next?” Jaret asked.
“Breakfast.”
“Breakfast? But what about Ret?”
“Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about Ret right now. He has chosen to leave us. Hopefully, he will return to us someday. But there is something we can do for him.”
“Eat breakfast?” Jaret asked.
“No,” but we can discuss the specifics over breakfast.” Mr. Coy smiled. “Would you and Pauline mind hosting it?”
“Of course not,” Jaret said. “Who exactly are we hosting?”
“Everyone.”
“Everyone … in the entire Keep?”
“Yes … I mean, no. Just everyone who’s close to Ret. You know, the crew.”
“The crew?”
“Yes, anyone who’s ever shared an adventure with Ret … and Falco too.”
“Okay, got it. And when would you like to have this breakfast?” Jaret asked.
“In exactly two hours.” Mr. Coy said. “Is that possible?”
“With Pauline’s cooking, nothing’s impossible,” Jaret said confidently.
“Good.” Mr. Coy leaned his palms against the wooden porch railing as he rested his weight on it. “I’ll have a couple extra tables and some chairs brought to your quarters.”
“Okay. Shall we set a place for Ms. Truett as well?”
“Yes. I’ll extend the invitation to both her and Paige.”
“So, eggs, pancakes, bacon, fruit? The works?”
“The works.” Mr. Coy said, pushing away from the railing.
“And then what?” Jaret asked.
“Then perhaps we’ll wash it all down with a large amount of water.” He gave Jaret a wink.
“Aye aye, captain.” Jaret saluted and walked back into the house.
Mr. Coy looked back over at the old cypress tree trilithon and whispered soberly, “Goodbye, son. We love you and will always support you.” He lingered to let his eyes dry, then turned and moved back inside the house, leaving the frogs to fill the silence left behind.
* * * * *
A couple of hours later, the Cooper residence inside the Keep was filled with the sounds and smells of breakfast: piles of pancakes, stacks of sausages, and scads of scrambled eggs. Tables lined the large dining area and people sat on chairs, sofas, and stools as food was passed down the interconnected tables.
Indeed, everyone was there, including all the Coopers (minus Ret, of course), both Dusty and Walter Thorne, Stone, Serge, Ishmael, Falco—who filled the entire kitchen bar by himself—Leo, Paige, Albie, and, of course, Mr. Coy.
As they ate and conversed together, laughs erupted, stories were exchanged, memories were shared, and even some tears were shed. As the meal came to an end, a faint tinkling was heard and all eyes turned their attention to Mr. Coy, who stood erect, tapping a fork against the side of his glass.
“Thank you again for coming. Compliments to Pauline and to the others who helped. Before we clear the tables and all help wash dishes, I have a serious matter to discuss. So, let’s get right to it, shall we? I’ve asked you all here this morning to talk about what our next steps should be in the fight against Lye.”
Leo raised his hand.
“Yes, son?” Mr. Coy said.
“Forgive me, sir, for saying so, but shouldn’t Ret be here for this?”
“Yes, he most definitely should be here,” Mr. Coy said, “but unfortunately Ret is not here.”
“I know he isn’t here,” Leo said, gesturing around the room, “that’s why I asked.”
“Ret left this morning through the trilithon,” Paige replied for her father, her voice subdued.
There was a rush of voices that quickly filled the room as everyone reacted to the news. Mr. Coy raised his hand, his glass now replaced by an envelope. The room quieted back down.
“Ret left this letter and this package behind and asked that I share them with you, his family and his dear friends.” Mr. Coy pulled a sheet of paper from the envelope, unfolded it, cleared his throat, and began to read.
My friends,
By now you know I have left the Keep. As I leave, I do so with only one request: please do not try to find me, as I am going to face Lye and end this once and for all.
A low murmur erupted from the group. Mr. Coy raised his hand to quiet them, then continued.
I know that many of you have followed me into dangerous situations before and would willingly do so again if the need arose, but this one, this need, I must do alone. If there’s one thing I learned from last night’s battle, it’s that I cannot bear to see those I care about get hurt anymore, not even if there’s a magical healing potion to fix them, and especially if there’s something I can do to stop it. So, this time, I am doing what only I can do, and doing so alone. I am meeting Lye sometime in the next three days in a secret, isolated location so no one else will get hurt.
That said, as I go to whatever fate awaits me, there are some things I need to say to my family and friends.
To Pauline: You took me in when I didn’t know anyone, not even myself. I will forever be grateful for the kindness, love, and generosity you’ve shown me. I’m truly sorry for the way I’ve behaved the last few months. Thank you for never giving up on me. You are the only mother I know and for that I feel extremely blessed.
To Jaret: I don’t believe I’ve ever properly thanked you for coming out into that fateful storm and risking your life during our first encounter. Although I can’t remember it, I know you must have acted with great bravery. I’m sorry you lost so much time with your family on my account, but I am grateful for your sacrifice. You will always be my first hero.
To Ana: Wow, where do I start? You are not only my sister, but no doubt my best friend and most loyal supporter. Thank you for never sugarcoating anything and for always being there when I needed you. I love you sis.
To Leo: Thanks for being you, so genuine and pure. So many times you have inspired me with your kindness and your spirit. Thank you for your friendship and for sharing “your light” when I was in darkness.
To Lester: I want to thank you for the time I spent with you and your sweet wife in Canada. I was truly lost at that point in my life and you and Virginia literally saved me and gave me a wonderful chance to forgive. Thanks to you, I not only found additional purpose in my life but also witnessed a true example of a selfless, loving marriage.
To Ishmael, Serge, Walter, Dusty, and Falco: Some of you I know better than others, but there’s one thing I know about each of you—my life has been better for having you in it. Thank you for the many ways you have helped me and my family. Your service has been priceless and more than honorable.
To Ms. Truett: I owe you an apology, not just because it turned out that I do actually need Iron Phosphate to save the world, thanks to the Iron Pillar, but for the disrespectful way I’ve treated you and your class. Thank you for all that you have done for me and for the Coy family.
To Mr. Coy:
At this, Mr. Coy stopped reading, his eyes full of tears as he stared down at the handwritten letter. His voice wavered when he finally spoke. “I, uh, won’t bore all of you with what Ret has to say to an old kook like me.” He continued with the letter.
And, finally, to Paige: I hope you will forgive me for not properly saying goodbye. I know that if I had, you would have either convinced me to let you come with me, or I would have talked myself out of going, neither of which are wise options. I don’t know what the future holds for us, or if I even have a future, but I wanted to thank you for your patience with me, your kindness towards me, and your unwavering love. I have felt it every day and I am truly a better person for loving you. You are an example of everything that’s good in this world.
At this point, there was not a single dry eye in the room, especially from Paige, who was being hugged by Ana.
During my time in the Keep’s lower levels I learned some crucial bits of information about Curing the World. Long ago, the Oracle created six objects, Relics, which my First Father gifted to his Guardians. Each Guardian was instructed to give their Relic to the one who came to collect their element. They were told that the one who came to collect their element would also know what to do with each Relic.
By now, the group was more composed, listening in a state of awe to what they were now hearing.
The truth is, when I was given these Relics, I had no clue what I was supposed to do with them. Then last night, as I considered the reality that I may not come back from facing Lye, I asked myself: Who should I leave the Relics with? Who is the correct person to protect each Relic? Who will finish my work?
“Albie.” Mr. Coy paused reading Ret’s letter and nodded at her. “If you will, please do the honor.” He slid her the small package, which she opened.
To Dusty I give the Seed Relic.
Albie reached in and picked up a seed, stood, and walked it over to Dusty, who simply stared at her, wide-eyed and open-mouthed.
Like all of the Relics, this seed was created by the Oracle itself and then passed to the Guardian, Neo, who then planted it above the Wood Element. The seed grew into the Infinity Tree, its roots surrounding the element to protect it. Once the Wood Element was returned to its original state inside the Oracle, so did the tree return to its origin, becoming once more this seed. By accepting this Relic, Dusty, you become its Guardian, and by so doing, pledge to protect it with your life.
Albie offered the seed to Dusty who gently took it from her and cupped it in his hands. Walter proudly reached over and patted his son’s shoulder.
To Ana I give the Hourglass Relic.
Albie retrieved the small hourglass from Ret’s package and brought it to Ana.
When Argo, the Guardian of the Fire Element, gave me this hourglass, he told me the shiny flakes inside it are gold from the Great River. For whatever reason, the hourglass doesn’t appear to work, at least not like any hourglass I’ve ever seen. Perhaps you will have more luck figuring out how it works. By accepting this Relic, you also become its Guardian and pledge to protect it with your life.
Ana accepted the hourglass and held it up to the light, the gold flecks sparkling in her eyes.
To Pauline & Jaret I give the Coin Relic.
Albie looked through the package but gave Mr. Coy a confused look. He continued reading.
The Coin was given to Krypto, the Guardian of the Ore Element, but he was killed by Lye long ago. I believe Lye still has this Relic, perhaps hidden somewhere at Waters Deep. All I know about the Coin is that it is larger than a normal coin and that it sparkles, even in the faintest light.
“Wait,” Jaret said. “I think I saw this coin in Lye’s conference room at Waters Deep. If I’m right, he’s hiding it in plain sight.”
Mr. Coy paused, nodded thoughtfully at Jaret, then returned to Ret’s letter.
I apologize for giving you something I don’t possess yet, but I feel strongly that once it is recovered, it should go to the both of you. By accepting the coin, you are to be Co-Guardians of it, two sides of the same coin, as it were.
The pair looked at each other and then back at Mr. Coy as they nodded in agreement.
To Mr. Coy I give the Key Relic, which I wouldn’t have at all if it weren’t for him, especially since Heliu, the Guardian of the Earth Element, failed to give it to me in the first place. Like the other Relics, I don’t have a clue what the Key is for, but by accepting it, you become its Guardian and pledge to protect it with your life.
Albie handed the large metal key to Mr. Coy, who nodded and slipped it around his neck by the cord that was still attached to it from when he’d given it to Ret. Mr. Coy then continued reading.
And finally, to Paige I give the Handkerchief Relic.
Albie pulled a beautiful handkerchief out of Ret’s package. It was folded into a square, its surface perfectly white.
When Rado, Guardian of the Wind Element, gave it to me, it had been tied around his finger for who knows how long, centuries maybe, yet it was, and remains, unsoiled. Once I realized how pure and special it was, I knew there was only one person in this world it should go to.
Paige was crying once more.
I apologize for sounding like a broken record, but by accepting this handkerchief, you become its Guardian and pledge to protect it with your life.
Paige allowed Albie to carefully hand her the handkerchief and, even though she was still crying, Paige refused to use the handkerchief to wipe her eyes, opting to use her napkin from the table instead.
Albie now held an empty package.
“Wait,” Leo said, “Ret said the Oracle created six relics. That only makes …” he stopped and counted them on his fingers, “five.”
Mr. Coy nodded and continued reading.
The last and final Relic is my First Father’s Staff of True Power, which unfortunately is another relic I do not possess. The staff was supposed to go to Xeno, the Guardian of the Water Element, but before my First Father could give it to him, it was stolen.
“By Lye,” Lester finished for him, “although he doesn’t call it that, he just refers to it as his cane.”
The people in the room were now all staring at Lester.
“You know, the white, spirally twisted cane he always has with him?” he continued. “Lye used it to murder Xeno. Lye brags about that all the time. He thinks it’s ‘wonderfully poetic.’” He finished by adding air quotes to his last two words for emphasis.
The room was silent for a moment longer as the group took in this new information.
“Perhaps we should finish Ret’s letter and then discuss everything,” Albie said, placing her hand gently on Mr. Coy’s arm.
“Yes, yes, of course,” Mr. Coy said, seeming to gather his thoughts as he brought the letter back up to reading level.
Lye has used the Staff of True Power to spread death and destruction for centuries. He simply must be stopped. This is one of many reasons why I must face him and end this. Thanks to Mr. Coy’s Iron Pillar, and the elemental powers I possess, I think I have a chance.
Again, I ask that you don’t try to find me or intervene. This is something I must do alone and I simply cannot risk losing anyone else to his evil.
That’s really all I have to say. Please stay safe … hope to see you soon.
~ Ret
“I don’t care what he says,” Pauline said. “He can’t just face Lye alone. He’ll be killed.”
“I can have Russian satellites sweep the globe looking for him,” Serge told her. “With a little luck we can locate him in less than twenty-four hours.”
“Actually, we don’t need satellites or luck,” Jaret said. “If I understand correctly, since he used a trilithon, all we’d have to do is wait until tomorrow’s sunrise and then step into it while thinking about finding Ret. It should take us to wherever he has gone, right?”
“No.” The word came calmly, yet firmly, from the most unlikely place—Paige. She stood up, twisting the white handkerchief Relic in her fingers as she looked around at the group. “Ret doesn’t want us intervening. He knows the dangers, which is exactly why he doesn’t want us there. He wants to keep us safe, and we are going to respect his wishes.” She sat down and leaned against Albie, who put her arm around her.
“If I may propose an alternate plan,” Mr. Coy said, regaining the group’s attention. “We know a couple other important facts from Ret’s letter. First, we know that Ret and Lye’s battle is going to take place during the next three days. But more importantly, although we don’t know where that battle will take place, we know where it won’t take place.”
“Waters Deep,” Ishmael said.
“Precisely, my cunning friend,” Mr. Coy said. “Waters Deep.”
“What is this Waters Deep?” Falco asked.
“Lye’s secret floating island base,” Pauline answered. “But, it’s crazy. Why in the world would we go there?”
“To get the Coin Relic for starters,” Mr. Coy said.
“Jaret only thinks it might be there,” Pauline said, “and Lye has an entire army guarding that island.”
“We also have an army,” Serge interjected.
“Waters Deep does have all sorts of fancy defense weaponry,” Jaret said.
“The top levels of Coy Manor were destroyed, but plenty of its hidden sublevels survived,” Mr. Coy said. “I still have a few tricks up my sleeve.”
“Well, I’m in,” said Leo.
“Me too,” said Ana.
“Oh no you’re not, young lady,” Pauline told Ana. “You heard what Ret said. He doesn’t want anyone else he cares about getting hurt.”
“He meant his fight with Lye, not Waters Deep,” Ana argued. “We have gone with Ret to every one of his crazy element locations and have always come out just fine.”
“That’s because Ret was there to protect you,” Pauline said.
“Um, actually, Ret was always too busy collecting the element to protect us. We can take care of ourselves.”
“What if we wear Dad’s new subsuits?” Paige asked.
Pauline looked at her. “What do you mean?”
“The new subsuit that Ishmael wore in the battle last night that is bulletproof and can turn invisible. What if Ana and I wore those?” Paige asked. “Would you be okay with us going then?”
“Well, I don’t know,” Pauline said, hesitantly.
“I have several sizes,” Mr. Coy said, “including one that will fit you perfectly, Pauline. In fact, I have been producing those new subsuits for several months now and should have enough sizes to outfit everyone in this room.”
“Including me?” Falco asked with a big grin.
“Especially you,” Mr. Coy replied with almost as big of a grin.
“I say we put it to a vote,” Dusty said. “All in favor?”
Dusty, Leo, Ana, Paige, and Falco immediately raised their hands. Followed by Albie, Mr. Coy, and Serge. Ishmael, Jaret, and Walter glanced at Pauline and then followed suit, leaving only Pauline and Lester uncommitted.
“What say you, Lester?” Mr. Coy asked. “Are you in?”
Stone nodded and said, “I owe Lye a house trashing.” He raised his hand.
Pauline looked around the room, seeing only smiling, encouraging faces staring back at her. “Oh, alright,” Pauline finally said, raising her hand, and then lowering it while she continued. “But I’m not going down into any underwater passages to collect anything, I don’t care how important it is.”
“Deal,” Mr. Coy said. He then turned to Serge. “Can I count on you for transportation to the island?”
“Of course, comrade.”
“How soon?”
“I will arrange a flight that will leave from the airport in three hours to take us all to the Bering Sea. From there we will take my most advanced naval vessel to the island.”
“Perfect,” Mr. Coy said. “Walter, aside from me, you know the lower levels of Coy Manor best, so I’ll need you and Dusty to come with me.”
The two stood and moved to his side.
“Jaret, will you work with Serge to organize the troops?”
“Aye, aye, captain,” Jaret said.
“Lester, I need you to organize the staff,” Coy said. “And utilize Gabrielle—she knows everyone better than anyone.”
The former principal nodded.
“Ishmael, will you please accompany the rest of the group down to my new Studatory? Fit them with new subsuits and Coy Tech. I want you to train them to use all the new gadgets and gizmos too.”
“Of course,” Ishmael said with a slight bow.
“Okay everyone, we only have three hours, so don’t doddle,” Coy said to the group, which immediately sprang into action. He then turned to the Thornes. “We three are going to catch a ride to Coy Manor with a whale.”
“A … whale?” Dusty asked.
“Yes, my boy,” Coy said with a broadening smile, “a killer whale.”