Tales Of The Arter Gems: Episode IV: A Twist Of Fate

By Mario Walsh

With two of the four Arter gems in her possession, Syra and her friends must cross the Parmyr ocean in search of the remaining two. She then must lead her warriors into battle, against Akaid, and his forces of evil. Will she triumph? Find out in this installment of the Tales of the Arter series...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mario Walsh
• Release date: Dec 2, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310469596

Mario Walsh

Firstly, thank you for supporting my Seven novels; Episode III, Episode IV, Episode V, Episode II, I, VI and recently The Chiller. A lot of hard work and time has gone into this story. I've been working on this series since September 2007, and have released Episode III first as I feel it was necessary to tell Syra's story first. The order that I will release the series is Episode III, IV, V, and then Episode II, followed by I and VI: Prologue. Now that all five are available, you can read them in chronological order as well. Episode VI: Epilogue will be released afterwards.A bit about meI'm a 39 year old author from West Auckland, New Zealand. I love action and Science Fiction - especially time travel. This series is my attempt of merging both these loves into one.My father introduced me to the 'Back to the Future' trilogy at age 6, so since then I've always been pretty obsessed with Time travel.If you have any questions about my series, like my facebook page and ask anything you like, i'd be happy to answer.One last thing. My book has a lot of violence in it, which does not mean that I condone it in the real world. You see, I dissect a scene in my head and describe it on paper how I see it. It's just how I have always been; I love vivid detail, and want to reader to be able to see what unfolded in my head as I wrote it.Again, a big thank you from the bottom of my heart. Positive or negitive reviews, thank you for reading my creation. It has taken nearly 15 years to tell this story, and it'll take plenty more.Books by Mario WalshTales of The Arter GemsEpisode III - The Chosen One - FREEEpisode IV - A Twist of Fate - FREEEpisode V - Syra's Paradox - FREEEpisode II - The Pinnacles of Fate - FREEEpisode I - The Prophet and her Legacy - FREEEpisode VI - The Syndicate of Time 'Prologue' - FREEAndBeyond the F.O.G SeriesEpisode I - The Chiller - FREEEpisode II - the Dark Messiah - FREEEpisode III - 2023Episode IV - 2025COMING SOONEpisode VI - The Syndicate of Time Full Edition + 'Epilogue' - 2025

Book preview

Where do I begin? Do I start with the fact that I'm stuck in a foreign world without a map? My only guide was a ten thousand year old time guardian, who literally just disappeared; through a ball of kinetic energy. I'm sitting on a ledge high in the air, looking down on a city that's been completely destroyed, with no sign of life anywhere. I have two of the four Arter gems of Tharp and have no clue of where to go next. So, as I said before; where do I begin?

I – And then there were four…

How am I supposed to deal with what's happened in the last few days? Weak-minded people would turn to drugs, or even the knife; but not me. I’m too important to choose either of those options. I have to face my issues, head on, exactly like a Westie always does. 'Water off a ducks back' is what my mum would say to me; how accurate is she in this situation? Quite accurate.

Enaz and I are sitting on the ledge beyond the waterfall, looking down at my feet dangling over the edge, feeling quite blank. How else did Enaz expect me to act; what he has just told me isn't exactly something I expected to hear.

You haven’t said anything for several minutes now. I know I didn’t pick the best timing to tell you, but I had to say something. I wanted to tell you when we first met, but Modnar informed me not to. I’m sorry, Enaz says, with much sincerity in his voice.

Sorry, I've just been processing my thoughts; it's something that I do by the way, but I suppose you wouldn’t know that though, would you? And with you being my father, you expect me to just start calling you dad? I still haven’t fully forgiven you for what you did to Mum and me. You just took off. No note, no messages, no visits; nothing. You just left us there to rot. I know I now share the same air as you; I have wound up on Tharp and been here for the past three and a half months, and I haven’t made contact with her to say that I’m okay. Just imagine how your wife and child felt for the past fifteen years? Look Enaz, I'm not ready to let the others know that you’re my father. Sorry what can I say; the timing just isn’t right! I say, before diving off the ledge into the water below.

While I'm swimming to shore, I see Zekai wrapping some cloth around the gash on Vetor’s leg.

Sorry Vetor, no Modnar to spontaneously heal your wounds anymore. We have to do this, the old fashioned way! Zekai says, while Vetor wriggles in pain.

Argh man its sore! Wish we had some Flork on us, heal it up right away! Vetor replies as I approach him.

That looks really sore. Are you okay? I ask, while crouching next to him.

Yeah, I’m fine. Where’s Enaz? How are you doing? Vetor replies while Zekai wraps his injury.

Enaz is still on the platform. I've just been digesting everything that's taken place in the last twenty minutes. Just can’t get over any of it. But, we must press on. We have to quickly find the Western and Northern Arter gems; but now that our Tharp tour guide is gone, I wouldn’t know where to start! Any ideas, Zekai?

Well, as you may have guessed, we're at the southernmost town on Tharp. Simple logic would suggest that we continue through Neca city, and leave via the Western exit. I’m sorry to say Syra, but once we head west, then we have travelled beyond my knowledge of Tharp. I’m a warrior; Modnar is the cartographer.

Enaz walks towards us and when he enters the vicinity, he begins to speak.

I have never ventured very far West; there are tales of warriors not making it through the ‘Whispering Forest’ alive, Enaz says, a shiver goes up my spine.

The Whispering Forest? I reply.

The Whispering Forest is filled with these creatures called ‘Roobes’. They live in the trees; and they can smell your worst fear. All you hear in your mind when you travel through here, is the Roobes whispering your worst fear to you.

That doesn’t sound all that bad? Vetor says.

Well, if the whispering doesn’t scare you, they’ll jump down and attack; hence why no one has made it through alive, Enaz explains.

Well let’s not go through there then! Let’s back track and head the long way to the last two Arter gems! Vetor jokes.

Vetor, we really can’t really afford to do that. The amount of time that we would waste backtracking, would cause us to become behind schedule. We must travel through the Whispering Forest! Zekai says.

Are you sure that no one has made it through alive? I ask.

Quite certain. I suppose if someone has survived, then I’m sure we'll come across that legendary individual soon enough. I know I haven’t heard of any survivors in all my years on Tharp, and I spend a lot of time in Neca City, at the old pub. Man I'm going to miss that place, Enaz adds.

Well the sun is starting to set, so I think we should set up camp and leave at daybreak. Vetor and I are going to wander around the city ruins, see what we can find, I reply, helping Vetor to his feet.

Be careful you two, Enaz replies as we walk away.

We will! Vetor yells back.

Vetor is resting his left arm around me, as I help him limp around the remains of Neca City; it's sad to see the state it's in. A plethora of ruins and bloody corpses; and it's now the second city on Tharp that we haven’t had the pleasure of seeing, before being destroyed. I can’t even really describe the city, as it's an interesting blend of black stains, ashes and large slabs of rubble. As I look left, remains of all the houses are everywhere. I can make out streets in between the rubble, with black smoke and dead bodies everywhere. The only structure remaining which bares any similarity to its former self; is the Colosseum. I want to head there now and check it out. Enaz says that a lot of history has taken place there; its history that I'll never see, but part of me still wants to stand in something so legendary.

I’m glad you survived that battle with Gurdon and his army. It got a bit crazy, and I was scared of losing you, I say, as we continue to walk.

It did get really crazy, didn't it? I’m glad we survived too! Rodland really trained us well; and he'd be so proud. We fought off hundreds of orcs and I’m not being macho, but I wasn’t as scared as I thought I’d be!

I giggle for a few seconds, but choose not to reply to Vetor. Instead, I stare his direction and smile. Sometimes in life, it's better to just take a step back and assess a situation, and if it's unnecessary to speak, then don’t. I believe that you must do what needs to be done; and nothing more. Right now, I need to stay silent and let Vetor feel like we're doing okay, because in my honest opinion, until we progress closer to the next Arter gem, I don't feel like the fact that we are alive is enough to be happy about.

Suddenly, in the midst of the battle I'm having with my thoughts; I see a middle aged woman crawl out of a building in the distance. She is wearing a light blue gown that has been charred from fire; her skin is light, and stained black from the ash.

Vetor! I have to go help her! I yell, sprinting towards the survivor.

I approach her, bend down and cradle her neck in my lap.

Don’t you die on me! I’m Syra, the chosen one of Tharp! Did Gurdon and his orcs do this to you? I say, wiping the blood off her face.

Cough! Cough! We knew that death was coming to our beautiful city, Daweson saw it in that cursed pond! If only I had of listened to what he said, then me and my family could've escaped. It doesn’t lie! The future is what it tells, yes it does! Cough! Cough! The woman replies, coughing blood all over the place.

What pond? Where in the city is that pond? Surely you don't mean the lake? Do you know where the Western or Northern Arter gems are?

Cough! Cough! The forest… the woman says, in her last breath.

Damn! I say, gently laying her on the ground, and closing her eyes with my left hand. Vetor limps towards me as fast as he can.

What did she say? Vetor asks.

She mentioned something about a cursed pond, and that she should have listened to Daweson, who said that the pond doesn’t lie?

Well I can’t say that I know what she was talking about, but we must definitely ask Zekai and Enaz about it.

Well, let’s continue to the stadium, I reply, as I put Vetor’s arm over my shoulder.

Vetor and I slowly continue hobbling through the ruins of Neca City, and it quickly became apparent that there is nothing and no one left. While we continue in the direction of the Colosseum ruins, I look back over my left shoulder, and see Enaz and Zekai in the distance; they are seated in the same spot, chatting to each other. I'm keen to leave them to it. We'll be fine by ourselves.

It's sad to see a Colosseum in this state. The front entrance - which I'd imagine to have been breath-taking - is seventy percent collapsed. In its prime era, this Colosseum would have stood at least one hundred metres high.

I approach the remains of the doorway to feel the material of the structure; see if it's even similar in any way to our Colosseum in Rome. As I'm rubbing my finger along the pillar, it does feel like the piece of rock my high school teacher brought to class; Travertine, which is a limestone that the Romans used to construct the Pillars and exterior of the Colosseum back on Earth. Makes me wonder how they found these materials on Tharp? Guess some things you actually never find out knowing; such as life.

Should we enter? Vetor asks, while still leaning on me.

Yeah, of course; I want to stand in the centre, and breathe in the history that I'll never get to see, I reply, before leading Vetor and I inside.

A few moments pass, and we are now inside the Colosseum; I'm looking up and marvelling at the architecture, which is simply breath-taking. It's modelled so well after the Colosseum in Rome; that you'd think I'm on Earth rather than a foreign planet. The Western side of the Colosseum is fully demolished; just a pile of large slabs scattered everywhere. The stands on that side have fully caved in; dust and sand are everywhere. The Eastern side is quite intact; it's like Gurdon purposely attacked one side. The Eastern stands have only been affected by debris from the Western side, which has clearly flown across and destroyed a lot of the seating. It's not hard to guess that the catapults did all this; what a real shame.

I look down, returning my focus to the arena floor; the dust slowly parts and I see a few hundred civilians, huddled around a fire. They aren't making a noise; just staring my direction, with fear plastered on their faces.

Who are you?! A female civilian yells.

We mean you no harm, I yell back, slowly walking forwards.

I asked who you are. Please don't come any closer! A male yells, armed with a small sword.

We are here to help, please lower your weapon, I say, calmly.

We don't want to die! A young girl yells, running out towards me. I kneel down and speak to her.

Gurdon and his army are dead. Sorry we arrived too late.

Are all the bad orcs dead? The little girl asks.

Yes. I promise all the orcs are dead.

Is this true? a male asks, approaching the girl.

One hundred percent true. Gurdon and his brethren of orcs are dead.

And who killed all these orcs, you?

Yes, my guardians and I.

The male starts laughing, before a few other males join in. I had an idea, I just had to execute it quickly.

I stab Finito into the ground and close my eyes.

Ice pillar! I yell.

Seconds later, one massive ice pillar breaks through the Colosseum floor, and stands a few metres in the air. I walk up to it and run my hand along the freezing cold ice. I then clap my hands, and the snow leopard leaps out of it, landing next to me; shards of ice fly in every direction. She starts growling at the civilians, but I don't mind; they need to believe what we're saying. I've also been thinking of a name for her, and I think now's the time to let the snow leopard know.

This is Krenshi, I say, running my fingers through her cold fur.

AARRRGGGHHHH! the majority of the civilians scream.

No need to panic; I'm merely proving to you that we did in fact slay all the orcs, I reply, before clicking my fingers, making Krenshi shatter into thousands of ice fragments.

The civilians slowly huddle closely again, and all begin cheering. They run up to Vetor and me, and shower us with appreciation. We hear mixes of 'thank you heroes' and 'you saved us'. When the survivors settle down, I speak.

We're really sorry that we couldn't save your city.

Don't apologise; it was inevitable. It couldn't be stopped anyway, A female replies.

What do you mean by that?

Daweson, the owner of the pub told me that, the female adds.

Sorry, told you what? I don't understand, what was inevitable?

The destruction of Neca city. Daweson told me that it was doomed to be destroyed.

How did he know all of this? I'm intrigued to find out."

Well, he said that ten thousand years ago, he and a few others shared an evening with the Prophet, whom revealed this all to him.

Wow really, with the Prophet? Where is Daweson now?

He died in his bar. He refused to let the orcs take it, so he perished defending it. We are the last alive of our great city.

I'm sorry that this has happened. We will make Akiad pay for what he's done, you have our word! I yell, drawing Finito and holding it above.

The survivors start cheering again and this gives me a feeling of hope. This event motivates me to rid the planet of Akiad and his pestilence, let alone everything else he has done.

Once they stop cheering, I begin to speak.

Thank you everyone for your overwhelming support. Vetor and I would like to look around the remains of the Colosseum. We wish you all the best of luck.

I look around and notice Vetor isn't with me. I see him behind me, so I run towards him.

Vetor, where are you going? I ask while gasping for air.

To see the holding rooms; it's where the warriors would relax before a showdown in the arena. That's what I used to find interesting in history class; what is was like, moments before you fought to your death, Vetor replies while the survivors cheer for us.

Well, you could have waited for me! I reply, messing up his hair.

Cobwebs are the first thing that spring to mind while entering this dark corridor, which runs directly under the Eastern stands. The whistling wind sounds like a plea for freedom; souls, trapped here from years past, begging for their release from this existence.

Leaves start blowing out of a doorway further down the hallway; third from the left.

Syra, did you see that? Vetor asks while limping slightly ahead of me.

Yeah, the leaves blowing out of that room. Let's check it out.

Upon reaching the doorway, Vetor peeks in and starts smiling to himself.

What's so funny? I ask.

Well, the leaves are explained. There's a tree growing through the side of the Colosseum; there's even bird nests in the branches. Wait look! Vetor replies, before entering the room.

The room itself is quite small. There's a broken wooden table in the centre, and the wall - opposite the door - is cracked, and has branches growing through. Six chairs are tipped over in various places of the room; the echoes of chirping birds fill the ambience and make me smile from ear to ear. I look over at Vetor and see a small bird on his head. It's small enough to fit in the palm of my hand, has beautiful black feathers and its tail is a palette of different colours, which glisten in the light.

Wow, I say, standing next to Vetor while he pats the small bird.

Yeah, I was about to say the same thing.

It's so beautiful. Quite nice to see after all the carnage we've endured.

Hey, look at that, Vetor replies before pointing towards something that's behind me.

Scratched into the wall - next to the door - was something I really didn't expect. There is an infinity symbol and a message written below it; 'infinite loop of time'. I'm baffled as what to say, but intrigued to investigate this further. I run my finger along the scratches and grooves, before looking down and seeing a nail; it's in immaculate condition, could almost be brand new.

What's that? Vetor asks.

A nail; exactly like one you'd find back home. The strangest part is the condition of it. It looks brand new, I reply as I bend down and pick it up.

The nail feels as immaculate as it appears. Rubbing it between my thumb and index finger makes me feel how untarnished the nail is. I think I might take it with me as a souvenir; I'm sure nobody will care. I put the nail in my pocket before Vetor taps my shoulder.

What do you think the message means? Vetor asks.

Infinite loop of time....I'm actually not sure. If only Modnar were here, he'd be able to shed some light on it. I miss him so much already, I reply, before Vetor starts rubbing my back.

Let's head back to the others; it's becoming dark, and we should get some sleep, Vetor says before leaving the room.

I glance at the message one last time, not knowing who did it, or who it was for. But it makes me think about life and how weird it's been for me; and obviously someone else.

Enaz and Zekai have prepared a fire, cooking Dupat shells over it. Vetor and I approach them and the smell of wonderful food fills my nostrils.

Where did you two go? Did you hear cheering from the Colosseum, Enaz asks.

Well, we just had a wander around the city; we found survivors in the Colosseum, and a woman that mentioned something about a cursed pond? Does that ring any bells? I reply.

Survivors? That's great; how many? Now, come to think of it, I've heard something about a cursed pond; in the middle of the Whispering forest. From what I’ve heard, when you look into this pond, the reflection you see is of yourself, but not immediately like any other reflection. What you actually see is a reflection of yourself directly after your next major fate altering decision that you have to make. For example, your reflection may be of you in a month’s time, it could even be of you in twenty years' time. It really just depends on you and the choices you make, Enaz explains.

That’s so cool, but freaky at the same time! What do you think, Syra? Vetor asks.

Umm, yeah it's very.....cool, I reply, while being distracted by my thoughts.

I really don't want to look into that cursed pond. I have a feeling of what I will see in there, and I really don't want to know if I'm right. Zekai told me a few months ago that I'm going to die. If my calculations are correct, then that means when I look into the pond, I shouldn't even have a reflection; and that just gives me the shivers. I've been comfortable about my fate until now, but this pond is making me a tad nervous.

As nightfall consumes the sky, we are lucky to only see stars and the moon. This makes my bed for the night, easy. On the ground by the lake, falling asleep, to the sight of the stars. Enaz and Zekai are asleep on the ground about five metres away from me, and Vetor's going for a late night swim.

No way! It can’t be! Vetor yells as he dives underwater.

I quickly spring to my feet, as I'm curious to see what Vetor is yelling about. The water is dark and murky; Vetor's been underwater for about twenty seconds, and I still can't make out what's going on.

Yes! I thought it was that! Vetor yells as he surfaces.

As he swims to shore, I notice that he's holding onto a long object. I can't believe it, if it's what I think it is.

Vetor, is that Modnar’s staff?! I ask as Vetor swims to shore.

Yes, it is! I saw it when I was swimming underwater!

Vetor slowly limps out of the water and hands me the staff; it's definitely Modnar’s, there's no doubt about that.

Well Vetor, you are my best friend as you know, and I already have quite a lot of responsibility on my plate as it is. Are you able to look after Modnar's staff until we find him again? I ask.

Yeah, with honour! I won't let you down, Vetor replies enthusiastically.

Well, that was some good spotting. Maybe we should get some sleep; we have to rest for the Whispering forest tomorrow. Sleep tight, I say, lying back down.

I start looking at the stars, letting a lot of thoughts blend about in my mind. I think about my mum. I miss her so much, and it makes me wonder what has happened to her in the last few months? I hope for her safety, and wish her the strength to persevere and not give up on me. Modnar is the next thing I ponder about; I have a hunch that he isn’t dead. He just can’t be. He's such a powerful wizard and I just know that he’s alive somewhere, I’m sure of it. And my father ‘Enaz’, what to do about him? I know that after this is all over, I'm going to make him apologize to mum, that's for certain. At the moment I’m still mad, but I don’t want him to know that. He's a great asset to my cause, and I don’t want to jeopardize that. I will tell him when the time is right; and I'm sure that my timing, will be better than his. And the cursed pond. What will I see when I peer in there tomorrow; assuming our own fears don't scare us to death before we make it.

II – The Whispering Forest

Hey! Hey! What are you guys doing?! I yell, as soon as I rouse.

Enaz is holding both of my arms, and Vetor has both of my feet. They are swinging me to and fro, towards the lake.

Okay seriously you two! NOT FUNNY! I yell as they continue to swing me.

On three! One! Two! Three! Enaz says, and after the third swing, they let me go; I'm flying straight towards the lake.

When I surface, I see Zekai, Enaz and Vetor laughing hysterically.

Yeah, yeah, very funny gents, I say, swimming towards them.

It's actually quite funny! Vetor replies, while continuing to laugh.

I glance towards Enaz, and he's giggling to himself. It's good to see my father so happy, as being stranded on this planet must have been scary; but right now I want to formulate a plan. It's first thing in the morning and I'm already soaking wet. It's not really something I'm a fan of. I'll get them back, I just need one more nudge.

WET there, Syra; I'll get a towel, Vetor jokes, while briefly holding his left palm out.

Enaz, Zekai and Vetor start laughing harder; Enaz falls backwards and keeps laughing while lying flat on the ground.

Haha, very funny, I reply before quickly drawing Finito and chopping in the direction of my companions.

Water tube! I yell.

A huge water tube - about the width and pressure of a fire hose - comes flying out of Finito, and completely drenches my three companions. I continue to spray all three of them, even when they're helplessly lying on the ground. I begin laughing as I spray them; they're slipping around the vicinity like rats getting washed off a deck by a garden hose. Revenge is always so sweet.

I sheathe Finito, while watching my completely drenched companions approach me.

Oh would you look at that, you’re all drenched. WATER coincidence! I quip.

I laugh, and shortly afterwards they all join in. It's good to see that even with two of our companions gone, we still have that spark of humour lingering around; it's soothing for our tarnished souls, and removes a little bitterness inside.

Okay, let’s collect our equipment and head west for the Whispering forest, I say moments before the four of