Chapter 10

THALTOROSE

 

Alexia ran through a field of bloodred flowers. The sun shone brightly overhead, and she felt … happy. It had been many years since she’d been truly happy—not since the day of her fifth birthday.

She slowed at the thought. “What happened on my fifth birthday?” she wondered aloud. For a moment, she felt a stabbing in her heart, but just as quickly, the pain was gone. She darted forward again, laughing as she ran.

I’m going to pick some flowers for Mother. I just know she’ll give me a big hug when I bring them home! Once again, the thought of her mother brought a sharp stab to Alexia’s heart. Pushing it aside, she slowed and began collecting the most beautiful red wildflowers she’d ever seen. Laughing aloud, she grabbed armfuls of them, so many she was barely able to hold them all.

Mother will be so surprised. Why did the thought of her mother make her feel sad? For some reason, Alexia couldn’t make her mind stand still.

Alexia suddenly realized she had no idea where she was. As she turned to look, her jaw dropped. In the valley below was an arena of sleek black stone that stood as tall as a mountain. As she looked at the arena, panic rose inside her. She felt it calling to her, willing her to come.

“I need to find Mother and Father,” she whispered. “I need to tell them about the …”

Fire.

Alexia dropped her armful of flowers. Why couldn’t she remember? Something bad had happened. She placed her hands on her head.

Raging fire.

Dropping to her knees, Alexia was unable to breathe.

“NO!” she screamed. In the ground in front of her were three freshly dug graves.

 

“Father!” Alexia bolted up. She was sitting in a bed in a darkened room.

It took a moment to realize she’d been dreaming. It was a dream she’d had many times since her fifth birthday, and every time she woke, she experienced the heartache all over again. Yet this time when she awoke, she heard the voice of her father.

“Alexia, I am here. You are safe now.” He patted her on the head.

Alexia froze. She remembered everything. Her father was alive. Her father was Korah. And suddenly everything seemed wrong with the world.

“What’s happening?” Her voice trembled. “I don’t understand …”

Her father lit a lamp. And when he turned to her, he smiled stiffly. “We have much to catch up on,” he said. “And I promise we will talk soon. But first I must introduce you to someone.”

Alexia tried to calm herself as her father walked to the door. She couldn’t believe he was alive! Alive! The thought was almost too much to bear. She wanted to run over and throw her arms around him. But it didn’t make sense! How could her father possibly be Lord Korah?

She shivered as she scanned the bedchamber. The bed was far bigger than most beds, and the walls were encrusted with diamonds and other gemstones. The floor was rich marble, the ceiling pure gold. But rather than beautiful, the room seemed somehow … wrong. It was as if the jewels and gold were covering something dark and sinister. The shadows at the periphery of Alexia’s vision were darker than they should have been; they almost seemed to be moving.

Her father opened the door. “He is my lord and master and the father of all. You have called him Assassin, but I call him King.” Korah bowed low, but Alexia began to whimper. Standing in the entry was a man in a white cloak. Darkness radiated from him, and his skin sparkled like diamonds. He was covered in a thin layer of sweat, and each fingernail was overly long and lacquered in multiple colors. In place of his eyes were endless caverns of fire.

“Hello, Alexia.” The Assassin’s voice was jarring, like two forms of music clashing. “I have been wanting to meet you for a very long time.”

Alexia hadn’t realized she’d been moving until she felt the wall against her back. “Father, no!” she shouted. “He’s the one who sent the Shadule! He is the reason our house was burned and you and Mother died … or”—she glanced at her father—“at least, the reason Mother died!” She was shaking. The Assassin now stood directly in front of her, and her father merely watched.

“Alexia,” her father said, “the old woman and the witch have been lying to you. They are the ones who burned our house that day. They are the ones who killed your mother.”

She shook her head. “No! Father, it’s not true! You must believe me! When I fought the Shadule in Agartha, it told me it killed you. It told me it burned our house!”

“And yet here I am, alive and well.” Her father held out his hands as if in proof. “The Shadule are simple creatures and often struggle with our language. I am here right now and I am telling you it was Mrs. Dumphry and Elion who killed your mother. They tried to kill me as well, but I escaped. I’ve spent these last years doing nothing but search for you.”

“My lady,” the Assassin said in the voice of a freshly dug grave, “you must know that you are special. I have not brought you here to hurt you, but to give you the honor you deserve. You will never have to run again. You will never need to humble yourself before anyone. My darling Alexia”—the Assassin’s smile didn’t reach his flaming eyes—“you have finally come home.” He held out a hand. “Come, and I will show you the greatest city in the world.”

Alexia couldn’t stop shaking. She wanted to retch at the sickly sweet smell that engulfed him. She shook her head but couldn’t find a coherent thought. But when she looked at her father, he nodded encouragingly.

“My lady, I want to show you the city because it is my gift to you,” the Assassin said. “Everything I have is yours. Every gemstone in this city belongs to you. Every slave will live or die at your command.”

Alexia’s father smiled as she took hold of the Assassin’s hand. Something inside her screamed that it was wrong, but she shoved the feeling down. There was a small part of her that didn’t care. She was with her father, and she was so tired of running. As the Assassin’s hand wrapped around hers, the putrid smell made it hard to breathe.

The Assassin escorted her to the balcony, where he threw back the curtains. When she saw the city, Alexia started to scream—it was more evil than anything she could have imagined. Everywhere she looked were monsters and horrors beyond belief; it was a city of shadows and nightmares. Alexia felt the world slip away as she fainted at the Assassin’s feet.

 

The fighting was over. The small band of Awakened still lived, though all were injured and in low spirits, in spite of the fact that Aias and Elion had managed to dispatch two Shadule. Alexia had been taken, and no one had seen Wild since the battle started in the courtyard.

They had entered the chamber that housed the World Portal and locked the door tight. Jack, Arthur, Aias, and Mrs. Dumphry sat facing one another as Elion stood nearby, staring at the unmoving steel rings. Andreal lay on the cold stone floor, snoring loudly.

“You’re sure he said Thaltorose?” Aias demanded again. “Please, Jack, you must be sure!”

“Yes,” Jack said. “He placed his hands on the rings and said ‘Thaltorose’ loudly. What does it mean?”

Mrs. Dumphry and Aias shared a knowing look. “Thaltorose is also known as the City of Shadows,” Mrs. Dumphry said. “It is where the Assassin first earned his name and the Shadowfog was birthed. But most importantly, it is where the Assassin now lives and is raising an army. If Alexia has been taken to Thaltorose”—she let out a tired breath—“getting her back will be next to impossible.”

“But we can’t just leave her,” Arthur said. “She’s one of us!”

“Child, I did not say we would leave her. I said it would be next to impossible to rescue her,” Mrs. Dumphry snapped. “Of course we must try.” She turned her gaze on Jack. “But we cannot allow the Assassin to have both children.”

“I fear we have no choice but to split up,” Elion said as she turned from the rings. “We need the wisdom of Time, now more than ever. I will take Jack to the Forbidden Garden while the rest of you travel to Thaltorose to rescue Alexia.”

“Are ye sure ye don’t need at least one ax by yer side?” Andreal asked. He’d awoken and was rubbing his hands vigorously over his face.

“I am not sure of anything,” Elion said. “And I fear Mrs. Dumphry is right; you are most likely marching to your deaths. But we cannot abandon Alexia to the Assassin. You have no choice but to enter the City of Shadows.”

“Should we no’ try to raise an army,” Andreal asked, “so we can be attacking the city in force?”

“A small band may be better than an army,” Elion said, “and we cannot wait. We must not delay even an hour. The World Portal will not take you all the way to the City of Shadows. The land surrounding the city has been corrupted, and though you could travel out by way of the World Portal, you cannot travel in. If you are lucky, you will arrive ten or twelve days out from the city. If you few can get into the city without being seen, perhaps you can rescue Alexia before the Assassin knows you’re there.” She turned her gaze on Aias and Mrs. Dumphry. “The two of you know the city more than anyone, and that may be the advantage we need.”

Jack was on the verge of tears. Thinking of Alexia in the hands of the Assassin was almost too much to bear.

Elion looked from Jack to Arthur. “It is time to say your good-byes. The Author willing, we will all meet again. But we must not delay.”

Jack jumped up. “You can’t mean to send Arthur with them!”

Elion smiled sadly. “Only you will enter the Forbidden Garden, Jack. It would be too dangerous to try and send Arthur in with you.” Her eyes blazed with a golden light as she turned to Arthur. “Though you are young, Arthur Greaves, you are powerful and courageous. And something tells me that if this mission has any chance of success, it will be because you were there. I will not make you go, but I am asking you. Will you join Mrs. Dumphry and the others?”

“No!” Tears stung Jack’s eyes as he turned to Arthur. “You can’t leave me!”

Arthur stood, and he didn’t seem afraid. A look of resolve had entered his eyes. “You are my best friend,” Arthur said. “And I don’t know what I’ll do without you. But if my going gives Alexia a better chance, how can I say no?”

Jack didn’t know what to say. Arthur wrapped him in a fierce hug. “You have something you must do, and now, so do I. I’m going to miss you!” he whispered.

“We will see each other again,” Jack whispered back. “We have to. Don’t go getting yourself killed or anything stupid like that!”

Arthur slapped his forehead. “I almost forgot!” He fished in his coat and pulled out the Atherial Cloak. “You dropped this earlier and I saved it for you.”

“You keep it,” Jack said. “You’ll need it more than I.”

“No! It’s yours. Elion gave it to you.”

“Then it’s mine to do with as I please.” Jack glanced at Elion, who nodded. “Besides,” he said, “I’m not giving it to you. I’m just lending it until we see each other again.”

“It is time, Jack.” Elion stood next to the World Portal. The seven rings that had been standing still were now spinning rapidly as silver light spilled out, bathing the chamber in its glow. A loud thrumming sound bounced around them.

Jack wrapped Arthur in another hug, then wiped his tears as he joined Elion. She grabbed his hand and whispered, “Don’t be afraid. Breathe deep and all will be well.”

Jack wanted to ask what she meant, but he supposed he would find out soon enough. He flinched as they walked into the spinning rings. Yet somehow the metal didn’t touch them. He walked directly into the center of the rings and turned around. The silvery light was all around them now.

Everything outside the rings seemed to be moving in slow motion. Every blink of an eye took ten times longer than it should. He wanted to ask Elion what was happening, but the thrumming was so loud she wouldn’t have heard him.

Jack looked down when he felt wetness around his ankles. Thick green liquid rose inside the spinning rings, and within seconds it was above his chest. Elion smiled at him, so he tried to pretend he wasn’t afraid. But when the liquid continued to rise, he took a deep breath before it passed over his head.

Jack let go of Elion’s hand and kicked frantically upward, but the liquid was far too thick for swimming. The world was darkness. Surely this couldn’t be what was meant to happen! Jack’s chest burned as the oxygen in his lungs was depleted. He gasped and inhaled deeply.

As he breathed in, his vision cleared. He was floating in an emerald sea—and it was exhilarating. Elion was beside him, wearing an amused look. When he tried to ask what was happening, only bubbles escaped his lips. Elion laughed as bubbles spilled from her mouth; her eyes changed from gold to aqua blue.

She pointed downward. Not far below, hundreds of streams were flowing through the emerald ocean. She motioned for Jack to follow and began swimming toward the closest stream. She swam directly into it and sped away in a beam of light.

Jack gasped, then kicked his legs and reached for the stream. The moment his fingers touched it, he was drawn inside and propelled forward. Suddenly he was moving so quickly he thought his skin might burn off from the sheer speed of it.

Just as Jack thought he could take it no longer, he saw a shimmering wall—and on the other side was land. Before he could see more, his skin pricked and he was tumbling across a jungle floor.

Elion laughed delightfully as Jack rolled to a stop. “There truly is nothing like traveling through the Sea of Worlds!”

Jack’s stomach turned somersaults as he pulled himself up by a thick vine. “Where are we?” He gazed upward, feeling as small as an ant. Every tree was at least ten times bigger than any he’d seen before. They rose so high and had such large canopies it was impossible to see the sky. The ground was a tumble of roots and moss; massive vines hung everywhere.

“I would guess we are in the Brazilian rain forest,” Elion said.

Jack had always loved maps and had dreamed of seeing new and faraway places. But Brazil was as far away from Ireland as he could imagine. His mind spun as he looked at the mammoth trees and low-hanging vines.

“Jack.” Elion’s voice was tight. “Don’t move.”

Jack had just seen what Elion saw, and though he wanted to scream, he did as told. He wasn’t leaning against a giant vine but an unbelievably large snake. The serpent was twice as wide as Jack, with a head the size of a carriage wheel.

Elion stepped closer and spoke in a whisper. “Although this serpent is not a follower of the Assassin, it is still wild and therefore dangerous.”

Jack didn’t blink. The serpent’s head hovered directly in front of his. Its eyes were locked on his while its great forked tongue flicked in and out, brushing against Jack’s chin. The serpent’s skin was golden with round black spots, and it shimmered as it moved.

When Elion stepped closer, the serpent hissed irritably, yet its gaze never left Jack. The Sephari hissed back. Except it wasn’t just a hiss; it was more like a series of strange fizzling sounds. Her body swayed bonelessly.

She’s talking to it! Jack’s eyes widened. The snake seemed interested in whatever Elion was saying, though it continued to watch Jack. The conversation continued, and Jack’s legs began to cramp. He felt like he’d been standing there for hours. Without warning, the giant serpent whipped back.

Jack dropped to his knees and screamed as the snake sprang forward and rushed past. The serpent’s body was so long it took nearly ten seconds before it disappeared into the jungle.

“What … what just happened?”

“I told the serpent who you are,” Elion said. “I told it the Last Battle is coming and explained that nothing in this world will be able to stand aside. All living things must choose whom they will serve.”

“You can speak to snakes?” Jack asked, still panting.

“Yes, I can speak to all creatures. Though some are far too stubborn to reason with.”

“Why would a snake care who I am?”

“All of creation stands on the brink, Jack. The choice must be made, darkness or light, the Author or the Assassin.” Elion looked in the direction the snake had disappeared. “I told the serpent it has a greater purpose. I asked if it would join the Awakened and help us spread the word of your and Alexia’s arrival.”

Jack gulped. “And what did it say?”

“It hasn’t decided yet. Though it obviously decided not to eat you, so that was positive at least.” Elion smiled. “But it can feel the battle coming. It can sense it in the air. By now every creature on earth knows the world is changing. The Last Battle is almost here. And though many still hope to escape it, in the end the choice must be made—darkness or light.”