Talisman of El

CHAPTER TWENTY



The Maze

THE COOL EAST WIND carried a scent of the sea and fresh cut lumber that stung Charlie’s nose as he soared through the sky on the white Pegasus. They had been flying for ten minutes, and apart from the Archons they had to overcome outside the temple, they hadn’t come across any other demons.

All together, out of the twelve Arcadians – including Charlie– that were inside the temple, nine of them were travelling by air: Candra, the white Pegasus, Avaran, the red Dragon with Oren on his back, Ash, the fire phoenix, Terra, the white dragon with Isis on her back, Akana and a Lightworker of the fire kingdom Charlie hadn’t caught the name of. The other three – Gemini, Demetrius, and a Lightworker of the earth kingdom – were on foot.

Although Charlie had a great view of the layout of the city, he was too high up to make out the others travelling below. As much as he appreciated their help, he felt guilty knowing they were putting their lives on the line to protect him.

‘How much farther?’ he yelled to Candra.

About twenty minutes, her voice said inside his head. Charlie looked over his right shoulder at Avaran, who was flying a few metres behind them. Oren caught his eye and flashed him an encouraging smile. No sooner had he felt reassured than the feeling evaporated at the sound of an earpiercing scream that could shatter any glass within a half-mile radius. The last time he had heard anything that shrill was when Jacob had locked him, Richmond and Alex inside the garden shed. To this day, he didn’t know what had caused that horrid noise, but somehow, he had a feeling it had helped them.

Charlie slapped his hands over his ears and almost fell off Pegasus. Gripping the horse’s neck, he repositioned himself. One look at the two creatures flying towards them told him two things: one, they weren’t here to help, and two, he was going to fall off Pegasus and die.

Although he had become accustomed to depicting which Arcadian belonged to what kingdom, he could not figure out these two creatures. They were the ugliest things he had ever come across.

The first one, coming in from the east, looked like a cross between a large bat and a gorilla with sharp claws and fierce red eyes. The second, coming in from the west, looked at first like a crow, but when it got closer, he realised it was a black smoke in the form of a bird. And it was charging right for Pegasus.

Darkworkers, Candra said. Hang on.

‘To what?’ As soon as Charlie grabbed hold of her mane, Candra plunged into a dive. He felt his stomach rise to his throat and held a tighter grip on the lock of mane bunched between his fingers. Looking behind him, he saw the black smoke tailing them.

Candra swayed and swooped and still the smoke chased them. Charlie managed to catch a glimpse of Ash and Akana fighting off the other creature up ahead. When he looked behind him again, he saw with relief, large white wings flapping behind the cloud of smoke.

The white dragon swooped in at great speed, Isis standing on its back, her waist-length, blond hair flowing wildly behind her, arms spread out as if she were conducting an orchestra.

Then the smoke let out a thunderous wail. Charlie swivelled his head from left to right, trying not to lose sight of what was happening behind him. As if it appeared out of nowhere, a wave of water in the form of a spear crashed into the smoke, and it cried out.

Charlie was well aware Isis could control water, but there was none in sight. Another water spear shot up from below and attacked the smoke. Three more followed. It was literally raining upside down. From where he was, he could swear it was shooting out of the ground.

The smoke creature dropped a few feet then rose again, wrapping itself around the white dragon, taking her down.

‘Terra,’ Charlie cried out. He glanced down, but all he could see of the dragon were part of its tail and wings, the rest of it shrouded in black as it hurtled towards the ground. The water spears had subsided. ‘We have to help them.’

No, Candra said. We can’t stop –

A mighty roar cut her off. Charlie saw the white dragon swaying as she coasted far below them. But where was the black smoke?

Hang on, Candra yelled.

Charlie averted his eyes from Terra. It all happened in a matter of seconds. He saw a cloud of black smoke storming towards Pegasus like a swarm of locusts. As the monster came in for the attack, Candra flipped, and Charlie’s fingers tingled as the mane slipped out of his grip.

He screamed as he fell through the sky. The smoke creature had bound Candra in itsgrasp, her wings flapping, legs kicking aggressively as she tried to fight it off.

The air grew colder the faster Charlie fell, biting at his ashen cheeks. He felt as if he had been falling forever when his back made contact with something hard.

For a moment, he thought he had hit the ground, and then it occurred to him that he had barely felt any pain, at least not the pain he had expected to feel on falling to his death.

Then his body started sliding over an edge. Charlie felt a grip on his right arm. Lifting his head, he found himself staring into Oren’s dark eyes. With the strength of three muscled men, she pulled him up, and he swung his legs over the red dragon’s back, wrapping his arms around her. Looking down, he saw that he was a long way from the ground.

‘Are you all right?’ Oren asked him.

He looked at her, worry etched on her face, and nodded. Oren went back to guiding Avaran, the blind-as-a-bat dragon that had saved his life. Charlie looked up. The white dragon had resurfaced, as too had the water spears, which meant Isis, though out of sight, was back in play.

It was surprising seeing them fighting with Candra as opposed to against her, given how badly they wanted to demolish her the last time they had met. As much as he was grateful to them for helping her, though, he still wouldn’t lock them in a room together. Members of the Legion may be righteous and loyal, but they also had a knack of falling to the dark side.

‘What is that thing?’ Charlie asked Oren, referring to the smoke creature.

Oren followed his gaze. ‘Darkworker of the fire kingdom.’

Ash was a Lightworker of the fire kingdom, but he resembled nothing like that, which puzzled Charlie. ‘Why does it look like that?’

‘Archons are full of negative energy, so when they shift to animal form, they look like monsters.’

‘Like the dasaga?’

‘No. Dasagas belong to the animal kingdom. They cannot change forms.’

‘If Candra is an Archon, how comes she doesn’t look like that?’

‘Perhaps she was telling the truth, after all.’

Charlie noted uneasiness in her voice. ‘Does that mean you trust her?’

‘No.’ The word could not have come out faster. Oren glanced over her shoulder at him. ‘I trust you.’

The fire phoenix fell into place beside them, which meant he must have disposed of the bat-monkey. Gotta give it to you, Dolittle, Ash said in his usual cheerful tone. You know how to attract trouble. Have to say, life has been much more exciting since you came to town.

‘I’m glad you’re having fun,’ Charlie said, clearly not amused.

Coming in for landing.Ash did a back flip, landing in physical form behind Charlie. ‘Gotta preserve my energy for the real fight.’ Again, his voice rang with enthusiasm. He was a right sadist, Charlie thought. But one thing he wasn’t was a coward. Then again, he wasfrom the fire kingdom, known for their martyrdom.

Standing on top of a hill, the gang of twelve (all in physical form) looked down at the mist draped over the hedges.

‘Welcome to Eden Maze,’ Avaran said, speaking for the first time since they left the temple.

Of course, Charlie thought, there had to be a catch. His mind raced with possibilities of what could be lurking within the mist. ‘The garden is in there?’

‘Yes,’ Candra said.

Avaran’s anxious eyes bored into Charlie. ‘All you have to worry about is finding the garden –’

That’s all? Charlie mused.

‘– The Pool of Bethesda will take you back to the surface,’ Avaran continued. ‘Remember why you are doing this. Do not lose that thought.’

‘Hey,’ Ash whispered behind Charlie. ‘At least you get a oneway ticket.’ His voice was flat, completely devoid of emotion but hinting that sarcastic dryness Charlie knew all too well. ‘We have your back.’

‘So how exactly do I find the garden?’ Charlie asked.

No one answered.

He looked at the clueless faces around him. ‘You don’t know,’ he said in a strained voice.

‘We have never seen the entrance,’ Candra said. ‘It only appears to Rulers. Just remember what you’ve learned. Believe in yourself. You will find it.’

I’m Sol, Ruler of the earth kingdom. I’m King Sol, Chief Ruler. I’m … ugh! It didn’t matter how many times Charlie repeated the words; he still didn’t believe it. Yes, the facts were all there, and he had seen with his own eyes the things he was capable of. Things people – things normal people couldn’t do. Still, he didn’t know how to be who they expected him to be.

The crunching sound of shoes against the gravel ground made him feel both anxious and reassured. It alerted the gang to any approaching attacks; but it worked both ways. The demons would also be able to hear them coming.

The cold material of the talisman, hidden beneath Charlie’s shirt, touched his chest, sending a shiver up his spine and goose bumps down his arms. He shuddered, and Oren gripped his hand tighter. In Charlie’s other hand was a steel dagger, courtesy of Isis, who was walking beside him. Candra and Avaran, both in spirit form, were in front, Demetrius and Ash behind, Gemini, the grey wolf, beside Oren. Two Lightworkers were walking a few paces behind the group.

Somewhere up above, shrouded by the mist, was Terra, the peregrine falcon, accompanied by Akana, the purple-haired Lightworker. With their eagle-eyed visions, they would alert the gang to oncoming attacks.

So far, there had been no commotions, but they had only been in the maze a mere few minutes, and not knowing where the garden was, they had no idea where they were heading.

Charlie kept his eyes sealed for anything that seemed out of place, his thoughts a jumble of confusion. Oren squeezed his hand, and he looked at her, shaking his head. He didn’t even know what he was looking for. A wall, a door, pearly white gates – or was that the entrance to heaven –

A loud squeak interrupted his thoughts, and the gang froze. Had it been a distress or a warning call?

Brace yourselves, Candra said.

Standing at a cross junction, they heard movement coming from all directions. Charlie gripped the dagger tighter, his heart threatening to burst out of his chest. His head swivelled all around, unsure which way to look. Then his eyes caught sight of a shadow moving through the mist ahead of them.

The figure stopped some thirty feet away. If it was trying to intimidate them, it was working. Another movement to the left caught Charlie’s attention, and then another, and another. The demons had them right where they wanted them.

Avaran’s eyes found Charlie’s, and for the first time, he read an emotion in them: fear. Charlie could almost feel the heat of his fiery eyes burning into him. It was the first time Avaran had shown any sign of weakness, and though he hadn’t known the Guardian long, he knew fear wasn’t one of his traits. Avaran’s gaze shifted to Demetrius. ‘Send the signal and wait for us.’

Charlie was now starting to see why Avaran had been so against the plan. It was a death trap.

Charlie.It was Candra. Her green eyes fixed on him, the rest of her a glow of white light. Don’t be a hero. Just find the garden.

It was as if everything had been on pause. Then all hell broke loose. The Legion and Archons charged, blades, and fangs out as they went in for battle.

Oren pulled Charlie along the left aisle where Isis was going head-to-head with three demons, one resembling the werewolves that had attacked them back in Ardenen. With only one dagger, Charlie couldn’t see how Isis could defeat the demons. But, she then melted into a puddle of water, reforming behind a demon and took him out. She thrust her dagger into the werewolf then fired an energy ball at the other demon, which flew back and slammed into the hedge before plummeting to the ground. She turned to the werewolf but not quick enough. It took a swipe at her, sending her into the hedge. As it went in for another attack an arrow lodged into its side, and it howled.

Charlie looked at Oren, who was running alongside him, her bow, and arrow aiming ahead of them. He had been so caught up in what was happening, he hadn’t realised her hand had slipped out of his. Oren fired another arrow at the werewolf, right through its shoulder, and it toppled onto its back.

Isis was back on her feet; so were the other two demons.

Oren grabbed Charlie around the waist and leaped over Isis. As soon as their feet touched ground, they took off. Just before they turned a corner, Charlie glanced back and saw Demetrius plunge his sword into the werewolf, which shattered into black dust.

The noise of the battle had died down by the time Oren resumed into a walking pace. Hearing footsteps behind them, Charlie glanced round. To his relief, it was Demetrius. They soon came to a wide circular area with two aisles leading off it.

Oren turned to Demetrius. ‘Send out a signal,’ she instructed.

Demetrius turned round. Charlie noticed the triangular earth symbol on the back of his neck turn bright green. When the light disappeared, Demetrius turned back to Oren and said, ‘Done.’

‘So what now?’ Charlie asked. He noticed Demetrius’ gaze lower to his and Oren’s hands, which were clasped together. The Lightworker looked up at him with cold blue eyes, and Charlie dropped her hand.

Oren regarded Charlie a moment and said, ‘We wait until the others get here.’

Charlie might have been imagining it, but he could have sworn she shot him a hurt look.

Demetrius addressed him. ‘Why don’t you try being useful and find the garden so we can get out of here.’

And here Charlie thought people of the earth kingdom were the placid type. If he had thought being King of Arcadia – a title perhaps Demetrius didn’t think him worthy of – was going to change his status, he had better think again. To Demetrius, he was still the same person, which meant they didn’t belong in the same world.

‘Why are you behaving in this manner, Demetrius?’ Oren asked.

Jealous much? Charlie thought, and then he blinked. It was as though someone had taken over his mind, for he was certain the voice inside his head didn’t belong to him. After all, for what reason would Demetrius be jealous of him?

‘Tell me you honestly believe he can lead our people. A human –’

‘A king,’ Oren corrected. Her voice was calm. ‘Our king, and yes, I believe he can lead us.’ She glanced at Charlie. ‘And in time, he will.’

Charlie’s gaze shifted to Demetrius, who was gazing at Oren with a longing look. Although they were both from the same kingdom, he detected a great difference in their personalities. One had more human qualities than the other did, though his not-so-friendly companion would deny it. He had also noticed this with other Arcadians. Those who spent more time in the surface world were more undistinguishable from humans. It was no surprise mortals were blind to their presence.

In the stillness came the dull thud of heavy feet. Charlie only had a moment’s glimpse of the large, brown, bear-like creature before he felt a force against his stomach, and he was flying backwards.

He winced as his back hit the ground, the dagger falling out of his grasp.

Sitting up, he saw Demetrius charging towards the creature. His gaze fixed on Oren – who had pushed him out of the way – but then shifted again almost instantly when something else caught his attention.

Charlie strained his eyes as he tried to make out the large shape moving through the sky. When it came closer, the first thing he noticed was the glow of two red eyes peering through the mist. He soon made out the shape of a creature maybe seven feet tall with what appeared to be wings folded around its sides and back.

He stifled a scream as the creature lowered towards Oren, who was oblivious to its presence as she aimed an arrow at the beast attacking Demetrius.

‘Look out!’ he yelled, but it was too late. The creature grabbed Oren’s shoulders with its huge clawed feet, and she released the arrow, which lodged into the ground. The bow dropped out of her hand as the beast took off with her.

Charlie shot a swift glance at Demetrius, who was too busy fighting to notice what was happening. Panicked, he got to his feet, searched the ground, and found the dagger. Without hesitation, he grabbed the weapon, flipped it in his hand, catching it by its blade, and threw it.

The dagger lodged into the creature’s back, and it growled. It slumped, releasing Oren, as it plunged towards the ground.

Charlie started to head towards her when he heard a voice behind him and stopped. Turning round, he saw an opening in the hedge. An opening he could have sworn hadn’t been there moments ago.

A figure in a flowing white gown with long black curls ran by. For a split second, he caught a face, and his heart pulsed. Then she was gone. But the face remained, always in his mind. A face he could never forget. ‘Mum,’ he whispered.

He rushed towards the opening, entering another passage in the maze. His eyes wandered left and right, searching for the woman in the white gown, but she was nowhere. He turned back the way he had come and saw Oren, who was looking around the maze as if she couldn’t see him. Then the opening started to seal up.

Panicked, Charlie thrust himself forward, colliding with the prickly hedge. He charged at the hedge again, searching frantically for a way out. ‘Oren,’ he yelled.

‘Charlie,’ a familiar voice called.

He spun around. ‘Mum,’ he called out, as he rushed along the passage. Then he turned a corner and came to a cobblestone road.

Charlie froze.

Straight ahead of him, he saw a pillared archway with a bright yellow light shining out of it, a high, dark-green, jasper wall on either side of it. Looking behind him, he saw that the maze had vanished. The only thing in sight was a long stretch of road with green pastures on either side. He turned back round, his mouth agape as he gazed in astonishment at the archway.

Eureka!