Awakening of the Gods

By JR Mitchell

A Dark Force is gathering...which threatens to destroy the worlds of the Immortals. Betrayal, intrigue, lies and death stalk those who guard young Sirus and Ore'arn as they seek to discover the truth.

As the battle for supremacy begins in earnest, and Asserian begins to crumble under the evil infiltrating the land, the master of the Dark Force rises...

There is no place to hide from those who seek the "Keys"...and as the gods begin to awaken, the hidden mystery of their past becomes known...

"Awakening of the Gods" is the thrilling sequel to "Pathway of the Gods"

• Language: English
• Publisher: JR Mitchell
• Release date: Jul 29, 2018
• ISBN: 9780980401851

JR Mitchell

Joanne R. Mitchell was born in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, Australia and spent a number of years overseas. She completed a degree in Business Management/Marketing in 2002. She worked in management before owning her own marketing business. She now lives on the Sunshine Coast with her husband Grant and Shitzu Roxanne.She became a full-time writer after her first novel Pathway of the Gods was released in 2008. Jo is also an avid follower of the genre she loves, and finds a close affinity with the writers of fantasy fiction.

Book preview

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Ommran

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Azrah

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Theron

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Ore’arn and Sirus

Prologue

In the Beginning

‘The Game of Life’

‘The inquisitiveness of the young will dictate the lives of many for eternity.’

Silhouettes, elongated and spine-chilling, cast willowy images along the chamber walls running beneath the foundations of the Crystal City. Youngster’s small talk surfaced, innocent, yet with an undertone that spoke of the danger they shared.

‘Quickly, before we are discovered. Father won’t like it if he finds out we have ventured this far. This way! . . . No silly, this way,’ Graton grumbled curtly, as he indicated with a nod of his head toward a shadowy entryway partially hidden from sight by large tendrils of seaweed, their shiny thick leaves swaying lazily in the aftermath of the falling tide. Graton forced his brother Ave’arn through the opening which would eventually lead them beneath the heart of the city.

Antamea slithered unobserved behind them in the shadows, her ancient serpent form shimmering as she followed silently in their wake. She realised her friends may look behind at any moment and if that happened they might discover her trailing them like a worm. Smiling to herself she knew she was too quick and agile for them and could easily slip unseen into the darkness surrounding her should that happen. But still, she felt an air of uneasiness grip her being. Her two friends were up to something suspicious and she had every intention of finding out what that was.

Ahead of her, both boys scrambled quickly past the plant life before disappearing from sight.

‘Surely these caverns can’t go any deeper?’ asked Ave’arn, with a certain degree of impatience beginning to creep into his voice.

‘I told you this place was well hidden. Apart from myself I don’t think anyone has been down here in centuries,’ replied Graton quizzically, as he momentarily contemplated his reasons for inviting Ave’arn to share in his secret. Graton understood the importance of keeping the chamber a secret, but he also knew he couldn’t achieve his aim on his own, and if Zadus, their older brother ever found out what he planned, then Graton knew Zadus would prevent them from sharing this secret with anyone else. Zadus would want the game for himself and Graton feared that most of all.

‘You didn’t have to come you know,’ Graton said smugly, turning to face Ave’arn. As he did his gaze fell on a shadow behind them and he did not miss the sight of someone or something slipping almost unseen into the darkness beyond.

Gripping Ave’arn firmly by the shoulder, Graton forced his brother into the alcove of a nearby doorway. ‘Shush, be quiet. Remain very still. I think someone’s following us.’

Ave’arn slid closer to the doorframe, the sharp barnacles encrusted on the door’s surface rubbing uncomfortably against his skin. He gave thanks for his hip-wrap which his father insisted he and his brothers wore, the coarse fabric helping to stop the shells from chafing his rear end. He was afraid. What if father has sent someone to follow us? What if it’s Zadus? He feared his older brother more than he dared to confess. Zadus had been known to inflict hideous punishment on those who crossed him, and Ave’arn didn’t feel like being de-scaled anytime soon.

Both he and Graton remained still, hiding within the gloominess and dankness of the overhang.

Graton could feel his heart pounding. He was also afraid of Zadus and wondered if their older brother may have seen them and followed. The two waited impatiently, hoping it was just Graton’s imagination that had sensed the presence of someone following them.

Long moments passed.

Antamea crept silently forward, wishing now she had never followed her friends in the first place, however now she had come this far she had no alternative than to keep going because she feared she might not be able to find her way back to the surface, seeing as she was now so deeply entrenched beneath the city’s foundations. Cursing silently to herself, Antamea realised she had been remiss in not keeping track of the path the boys had travelled.

Beneath the city lay endless catacombs and passageways which seemed to go on forever and Antamea feared that no-one other than the Serpent King really knew where they led. Off the passageways lay countless rooms and she smiled at her thoughts, knowing that part of this labyrinth had become her and her friends’ playground, a children’s storehouse full of mysterious chambers in which they entertained themselves with games such as hide and seek.

Creeping gingerly toward the entrance now partly visible in front of her, she felt vulnerable. She had lived for many years in the palace as an invited guest of the King but she knew she was just a visitor here and would never be royalty like Ave’arn and Graton. The King had brought her to join his family as a playmate for his sons.

Slowly Antamea slid through the opening where she had last seen her two friends disappear moments earlier. She took a deep breath as she reached the other side in the hope of steadying her nerves. The walls around her felt moist and slippery as she slid her body against them. Looking at the surface she could see small weep holes through which the ocean’s tides were slowly receding, leaving behind minute sea creatures that scurried to hide as she approached. These walls appeared far older than those higher up and were made up of millions of fossils. The passageways here had grown very narrow and she could see that they were barely high enough for Graton and Ave’arn to pass through.

The longer she remained living here the more Antamea considered the palace her home, and from the books she had read she knew this place had existed for millions of years. The city beneath the sea was home to the Serpentine race, her people, and it was a world unlike any other.

‘How could they have slipped so far ahead?’ she whispered, as the eerie light filtering through the ceiling captured her features in its pale essence. She was sleek and beautiful, with a perfect body that enhanced her charms.

‘It’s you!’ Graton cried, as he stepped lightly from the alcove, his feet moving swiftly as he came to stand in front of her.

‘Oh! . . .’ she said in dismay, ‘you frightened me.’ Antamea was quivering slightly as Graton stood over her, glaring with a smirk that lifted the corners of his mouth so that he looked fearsome. ‘Why did you jump out at me like that?’

‘I didn’t jump. What are you doing following us anyway, Antamea?’

‘I wasn’t,’ Antamea exclaimed slowly, her voice displaying the guilt she felt at having been discovered.

‘You’re a liar!’ Graton said accusingly, his eyes showing the depth of his anger.

‘I’m . . . I’m sorry. If you two hadn’t behaved so poorly earlier on I may not have been tempted to follow, but you looked like you were up to something and knowing you both as I do, I knew it had to be some form of conspiracy or adventure . . .’ Antamea recalled having overheard Graton and Ave’arn talking earlier that morning while she hid from them. They had spoken at length regarding a secret room. At the time the two brothers had no idea how close they were to where she was hiding.

‘An adventure you weren’t invited on,’ Graton said vehemently, as he interrupted her thoughts.

‘I said I was sorry.’

‘Well you can jolly well turn around and go back the way you came.’ Graton’s voice sounded contemptuous. He stood glaring down at her as Antamea twisted about uncomfortably.

For a serpent, Antamea was small; she barely came up to the top of Graton’s thighs even when she stood on her bony tail. She had silky smooth scales which ran in startling colours of lilac, pink and silver over her entire body, and when she moved they shimmered like gems. She was very pretty for a female of their species, but Graton was not about to be enticed by her beauty. After all, she was a common serpent, not of royal blood like Ave’arn and himself.

‘Leave her be,’ Ave’arn said, stepping out from his hiding place, his tone holding a warning for Graton. ‘She can’t do any harm by tagging along. After all, she’s only a girl, and a very tiny one at that.’ Ave’arn cast a genuine smile in her direction. Antamea replied by lowering her head as her scales flashed brighter.

‘Very well,’ Graton said caustically. ‘But she is your responsibility, not mine. If she says anything to anyone about this then I’ll make sure Zadus finds out that she knows a secret and you wouldn’t want that now would you Antamea?’ Graton knew he would never have let on about his find to Zadus but Antamea didn’t know that. Turning abruptly, Graton moved away without saying another word and headed down the narrow tunnel.

Ave’arn shrugged his shoulders as Graton’s form disappeared around a corner. ‘Come on, we need to keep up. He won’t wait for either of us, and seeing as he is the only one who knows where he’s going, I don’t want to lose sight of him.’

Antamea said nothing as she quickened her pace before settling in behind Ave’arn as he moved away to follow his brother. She thought of Graton’s threat and knew she would keep this secret no matter what it entailed, rather than take the chance of Zadus finding out.

She had experienced first-hand what it meant to draw Zadus’s unwanted attention. Antamea remembered well when she had first arrived at the palace and the turmoil her inclusion within the household had caused. At the time she was newly hatched and barely able to move about without causing herself injury. Still, when the Serpent King had invited her to join his household as a companion for his sons, she had not thought twice about leaving the peace and quiet of the city to take up lodging in the palace. It had been her spectacular colouring which had drawn the King’s admiration. Alongside the other serpents, she stood out as being something quite unique. Smiling, Antamea thought herself very fortunate. However her happiness and good fortune had not lasted long, for when Zadus found out that she had been asked to join the royal household, he made a point of making her life a misery.

Day after day he hunted her down, forcing her inside a tiny metal cage until the King would call for her and Zadus would be forced to release her. While Zadus had her captive he bound her body to the bars with thread, the twine biting into her soft flesh, not enough to draw blood, for then the King would have asked the cause. But the torture Zadus inflicted was enough to cause emotional pain and discomfort. Over the subsequent years Antamea found herself the subject of Zadus’s continuing cruelty until at long last he grew weary of gaining nothing more from her than contempt. Not once did she complain, for to do so would have caused the King to send her away in order to protect her. Rather, Antamea decided that discretion was the better path and so she simply suffered the abuse, knowing in time Zadus would grow tired of her. And he did.

Following along behind Ave’arn she cringed at her thoughts, knowing it would take very little for Zadus to recommence his defilement of her. She loathed him, enough to keep this secret no matter what the cost to herself.

Graton was now well ahead of the other two, twisting his way deeper into the gloomy depths of the city’s foundations. Here the walls were covered in thick seaweed, the leaves slimy with salt and moisture, the pungent smell reminiscent of aromas of the sea.

It was also growing increasingly colder the further they descended.

‘How much longer?’ Ave’arn asked, as Graton slowed ahead of them.

‘Shush, be quiet! Even down this far it wouldn’t surprise me if Zadus could hear us — it’s just up ahead. See that door, the one with the discoloured coral growing like bearded sea-dragons over the surface?’ Graton pointed a finger at a door standing closed where the passageway came to an abrupt end. The other two thought that occurrence very strange, seeing as all the other corridors in the palace ran into one another and seemed to have no end. The passageways up until this point always led back into each other and eventually they would take you back to the main enclosures of the royal compound.

‘How did you find this chamber in the first place?’ Antamea piped up, her small voice echoing about the walls.

Turning sharply, Graton gave her an annoyed look, his stare penetrating. ‘I just happened to stumble upon it by accident,’ he replied bluntly, as he swung around and headed toward the entrance.

Approaching the door slowly, Graton turned, taking one last look back along the passage. He wanted to make sure that nothing lurked in hidden places watching them. It all looked peaceful with the leafy green of the foliage dripping seawater monotonously onto the rocky floor behind them.

The door’s surface appeared old and worn. Ave’arn noticed it wasn’t like any of the other entryways they had encountered throughout the complex and he could see this particular door had at one time been sealed shut. The framework along the edge looked as though someone had used force to break it open. Thick coral had been chiselled away and now pieces of broken shell lay strewn about the floor at their feet, the chunks biting into their bare soles.

‘Did you break open this door?’ Ave’arn asked Graton.

‘Yes. How else was I suppose to see what lay inside?’

‘Maybe you weren’t supposed to see what lay behind the door . . . maybe that is why it was sealed,’ Antamea replied without thinking. She saw a look of anger cross Graton’s features. Quickly she added. ‘Well I suppose you had no choice if you wished to take a look inside. Is it spooky?’ she asked smiling, as she tried to dispel Graton’s growing rage.

Graton tried smiling back, knowing she was too young and obviously far too naive to be guilty of anything other than speaking out of turn.

‘It’s not scary,’ Graton replied, as he twisted the handle. ‘It simply hides a secret, a game, one I hope I can learn to master given time,’ he whispered to himself.

As Graton pushed the door it slowly creaked open. Inside the air smelt clammy, the musky odour it exuded made Ave’arn and Antamea screw up their noses in disgust. In the centre of the room there stood a glass chest, its shell-encrusted surface inlaid with mother of pearl. On its surface sat a leather bound book, one gilded with gold trim about its edges.

‘What’s that?’ Antamea asked inquisitively, her voice excited with the prospect of reading a book that no-one else might have read in a very long time.

‘It’s a book, silly.’ Ave’arn said, smiling as he moved to take a closer look at the chest. It appeared to be made of glass, a similar material that had been used to construct the Crystal City.

‘Don’t touch anything!’ Graton’s voice rose sharply. ‘It’s not a normal book. It possesses some form of powerful magic.’ Stepping in front of Ave’arn, Graton took his place in front of the chest.

‘I was only going to take a look.’ Ave’arn remarked defensively, ‘I wasn’t about to touch it. No need to get protective.’ Stepping away, Ave’arn went to stand beside Antamea who couldn’t stop staring at the intricately patterned gold markings edging the cover, and the creatures that were displayed in relief along the book’s spine.

She could see tiny figures of strange unusual looking insects worked into the spine of the book, their shapes unfamiliar to her, creatures she couldn’t recall seeing in any of the picture books in the King’s library. During her years within the palace she had accepted the Serpent King’s generous offer to teach her to read and write. His large and rather well stocked library held all manner of fascinating literature and Antamea always found time between playing and tending to her chores to immerse herself in its riches. But not once, in all the volumes she had managed to flick through, had she ever seen such mysterious creatures as those now dancing along the book’s spine. And dancing they were. The small balls of light were moving, fluttering their tiny wings as they flittered up and down the edge. Opening her mouth in wonder she drew in a surprised breath, hoping it was not simply her outlandish imagination working overtime.

‘What are you gaping at?’ asked Graton with alarm, as he spun around to check out what had gained her attention. As he did the figures grew still, disappearing into the leather.

Antamea began to chuckle at the look of indignation suddenly appearing on Graton’s face.

‘What’s so funny?’ he asked tersely.

‘Oh nothing, nothing at all!’

‘You said something about a game. What game?’ Ave’arn asked, his thoughts intrigued with the offer of a new game. He thought of all the absurd and outlandish enterprises Graton had come up with to occupy their time over the years. Hide and Seek was by far Antamea’s favourite because she always won. She was small, small enough to fit into places where the boys could never go and sometimes it would take them hours to hunt her out.

Personally, Ave’arn liked war games best, games when he and Graton tested their imagination and strength against one another. Ave’arn may have been younger, but he knew he was quicker on his feet than Graton. Graton was cunning however and often used whatever means necessary in order to win.

‘Are you listening to me or daydreaming again?’ Graton spat, as he interrupted Ave’arn’s thoughts.

‘Sorry . . . I was simply wondering if this was a game calling for skill or strength.’

‘Both!’ Graton replied abruptly. Shifting his gaze to the book, Graton bent over, picking it up carefully. It was as light as a feather, which defied the look of the thickly bound volume with its metal trim worked elaborately into the leather. He held the object between his fingers, watching with fascination at the look of astonishment now appearing on the others’ faces as the book began to pulsate in his hands.

‘Well, are you ever going to explain what this is all about?’ asked Ave’arn.

‘What’s the title?’ Antamea interrupted impatiently, as she spotted the filigree inscription on the cover.

Graton tried to hold the book steady as he read the words engraved into the leather. ‘It’s called the Book of Life,’ he replied slowly, his lips hinting at a smile as he read the title aloud.

‘Well, open it! . . . Let’s see what it says!’ Antamea said excitedly, her whole body shaking at the thought of discovering something new.

Taking care not to let the others realise just how much he wanted all this for himself, Graton managed to temper his growing impatience. He took a slow breath, letting the others see he was in no hurry to share his secret. Graton deliberately laid the book upon the chest’s surface, before drawing back the cover very slowly.

Ave’arn and Antamea were watching, their eyes drawn to the book like the currents of the ocean are drawn by the power of the moon.

As Graton opened the book it began to hum a soulful tune, one which vibrated quietly about the room. ‘Quickly, close the door,’ Graton ordered. ‘You never know who might overhear.’ Ave’arn darted toward the door, slamming it shut. Graton glared at him with disdain.

‘Well if this didn’t draw Zadus’s attention then that surely will.’ Graton said, his voice indicating his growing frustration.

‘Sorry, I didn’t think.’

‘Hmm . . . you never do.’ Graton answered caustically.

Around the edges of the book a mist was beginning to form as colours of the rainbow swept a whirlwind shape toward the ceiling. There the mist dissipated leaving a strange pungent odour permeating the room.

‘What was that?’ asked Antamea, as she moved closer to take a look at the pages. Graton stepped in front of her, pushing her roughly back toward Ave’arn.

‘Why did you do that Graton? She only wanted to take a look,’ Ave’arn said angrily, as he held Antamea closer trying to console her with a gentle pat.

‘I didn’t hurt her. Besides, before I let either of you take a closer look at the book I intend to set some ground rules,’ Graton replied, his demeanour showing he did not intend to allow the others to share in the bounty of what he’d found. ‘Firstly, neither one of you are to come down here without me accompanying you. This is my secret, and besides, I’m the only one the book will respond to. Do you hear me?’

‘Yes.’ The others said in unison.

‘Secondly, you are to say nothing to anyone, especially to Zadus or the King. This has to remain something that only we know about. Is that clearly understood?’

‘Yes.’ Ave’arn replied quickly.

‘But what if the King asks me where I’ve been. I can’t lie to your father. He knows when I’m lying, and besides, I would feel guilty.’ Antamea sounded so young and innocent.

Taking great care not to lose his patience with the young Serpentine, Graton shifted uncomfortably on his feet. ‘If father finds out, then so will Zadus, and you wouldn’t wish that now would you?’

With that, Antamea backed away to stand behind Ave’arn, her thoughts once again recalling the lengths Zadus had gone to in trying to shatter her spirit. Whenever he caged her, tying her up with twine, he would subject her to prolonged hours of torment. The suffering he instigated was more torture of the mind than the flesh. He would masturbate in front of her, teasing her with threats of violation as he stretched and massaged his genitals in her face, laughing as he squirted his seed over her. However, he never carried out his threat, for at the time Antamea had been too young for him to mount. Now, she knew things would be different. Nothing would stop him from abusing her if he had call to question her loyalty to either him or the King.

‘I promise I won’t say anything,’ she said at last.

‘Good, then that’s settled.’ Graton smiled once again as he turned his attention back to the book.

Suddenly the pages began to rustle as if a gust of wind had picked them up and Ave’arn and Antamea were startled to see images taking shape. Wondrous creatures began to surface, figures, minute but startlingly real started scrambling about the pages, appearing to revel in the opportunity to be free of their confinement. Without saying anything Graton rushed forward and closed the book’s cover.

‘What did you do that for? . . . I wanted to see what happened next,’ Ave’arn exclaimed, as he refocused his attention on his older brother.

Graton turned to face him, his features a mask of arrogance and determination.

‘There will be plenty of time later to show you what awaits us within these pages. Right now neither one of us knows anything about this game and we have no knowledge of how to manipulate it or prevent it from escalating out of control. First, before we begin in earnest, we must learn how to master The Game otherwise The Game will master us.’

‘What do you mean?’ Ave’arn asked hesitantly, feeling as though this was leading to another one of Graton’s ploys of cunning and deceit.

‘Don’t you see?’ he floundered, rubbing a hand quickly across his scaly forehead. ‘No, maybe you don’t. You’re far too unworldly to understand.’ Pointing to the crustaceans covering the walls with their skeletal remains imbedded in its surface he said, ‘This game is our one chance to be free of this place. This is our chance to create a new life, one totally different to that which our father offers us.’ Graton’s features had now taken on an air of complexity. ‘Zadus is father’s heir, therefore you and I stand to inherit nothing, nothing except a life that will see us end up like these insipid creatures that have rotted away inside these walls. I for one want something different and this game is my, I mean our, way of taking our future into our own hands. It provides a means for our escape . . .’

‘How? . . . How can a game change the way we live?’ Antamea asked innocently, as she popped her head from behind Ave’arn to stare wide eyed at Graton. Ave’arn flung a cursory look her way, warning her to be quiet. He was eager to learn more.

Smiling menacingly at Antamea, Graton then sidled toward the chest once again before picking up the book and holding it snugly against his torso. The book started to pulse, its surface radiating heat which could be felt by everyone in the room.

Without giving an answer to her question, Graton sat upon the coral encrusted chest, his patchy coloured skin unaffected by the rough surface. He took a deep breath, bringing his gaze up to meet Ave’arn’s curious stare.

‘This city might be the place where our father wishes to spend his life,’ Graton said calmly, ‘but not me. You and I have both been raised to believe this life, this watery grave, is the beginning and end of all things. What if the ‘Game of Life’ can give all of us immortality? What if it could create a whole new existence for each of us?’

‘Immortality!’ Ave’arn said in disbelief. ‘A new life! But that’s impossible. Every creature must eventually die.’ It was said with youthful conviction.

‘Not if you’re a God. Not if you have power over life and death,’ Graton answered, with a hint of a smile turning the corners of his lips. ‘I believe the ‘Game of Life’ has the ability to give all of us these things, and more. We don’t need to live like this, trapped in this subterranean pond, stagnating and suffocating. I for one hate this city with its glass walls and confined spaces. I want freedom . . .’

‘Freedom is all well and good,’ Ave’arn interrupted, his concern evident in the tone of his voice. ‘It’s a game Graton and games are not reality.’

With a deep belly laugh, Graton stood, the soft golden scales framing his face shimmering as they caught the light. ‘You have no idea Ave’arn, do you? This game is real. Far more so than how we currently live,’ Graton murmured knowingly, as he indicated with a long scaly finger at the starkness of the room in which they stood. ‘This is not living. This is merely passing time so that we can eventually become one of these unfortunate creatures.’ Graton placed the book down carefully, and as he did he stroked its cover like a lover, his fingers skirting the edges as if the leather held him mesmerised. ‘Father is the oldest living soul,’ he said suddenly, knowing Ave’arn was well aware of that fact, ‘and he believes we are the perfect race. — I thought so too until I found this book,’ he offered, picking up the artefact once more. ‘I believe this game is how life started. This is how father came to be, how our race began. Father has hidden this away so that our lives will never evolve. He is a selfish being, keeping us ignorant of our true potential.’

Ave’arn felt uncomfortable hearing Graton speak unfavourably of their father, so he spoke up in his father’s defense. ‘Father would never deceive us. He is wise and full of compassion . . .’

‘Your father is the kindest creature.’ Antamea remarked sweetly, trying to add her support. ‘He would never deliberately prevent our kind from evolving.’

‘Stay out of this, Antamea. You are only a serpent, hardly worthy of consideration.’ Graton said stingingly, as spittle sprayed from his mouth as he vented his frustration directly toward her.

Tears suddenly welled in her eyes, clouding the beauty of their colour. Her scales also began to shimmer in bright colours as Graton’s words settled on her like a dark mantle. It was true she wasn’t like her two friends. Graton and Ave’arn were almost whole, being part serpent, part homo-sapien. Like the Serpent King, his sons were created in his image and therefore had the head of a snake and the body of a man. Antamea at first thought it looked peculiar, but she had learnt from the books in the library that this was part of the evolving process which may in time happen to them all. However, she acknowledged to herself that apart from the King and his sons, no others within the city had evolved in this manner and she had often wondered why that was so.

Ave’arn’s words interrupted her thoughts.

‘She’s as much a part of this as you and I Graton. Leave her be. If she’s good enough to know about this little secret of yours, she’s good enough to participate in The Game.

With a grin spreading across his face, Graton dismissed any further thoughts of ridiculing Antamea. Perhaps in time she would become useful, help cement his plan. ‘I apologise little one. I’m just anxious to gain support from you both before we begin this game.’

‘And just how do you plan to carry out this plan of yours?’ Ave’arn asked. ‘All we saw was a puff of smoke circling the ceiling, something which didn’t appear to be capable of creating life, especially eternal life.’

‘Now there you go again Ave’arn, showing your ignorance.’ Graton said smugly.

‘I saw creatures running along the edges of the book when we first entered the room,’ Antamea said excitedly. ‘The book is a living thing, Ave’arn.’

Quickly Graton swung his gaze to meet hers. He thought he was the only one the book revealed itself to. Had this pesky girl really seen something?

Ave’arn was now staring at Antamea, watching her face light up with the pleasure of her own words.

‘Did you really see creatures or was it your imagination playing tricks?’ Ave’arn asked curiously, his affection for Antamea clearly displayed in the warmth of his smile.

‘I did see them. There were strange little balls of light dancing along the spine.’

Graton knew she must have seen the mites. Such impossible little creatures but they did seem friendly and eager to help him begin playing The Game.

‘Well it matters not,’ Graton said, suddenly dismissing further talk of what she’d seen, ‘you are either in this or not. Well . . . give me your answer now.’

Both Ave’arn and Antamea nodded their heads in agreement.

Graton gave a heavy sigh of relief. His plan was working out brilliantly. He lay the book down once again, taking great care to place it gently on the chest’s surface. Turning to face the others he said, ‘I‘m going to need your help to work out the intricacies of this game. While the book is open it seems to grow unrestrained, as you have seen. That is why I shut it so quickly.’ That was only part of the reason, Graton mused to himself. The other reason is that he didn’t want the others to see the workings of The Game until he had mastered them himself.

‘If I concentrate my thoughts at the core of the book it draws me into its heart. I then become a part of the book, a part of The Game. The only problem I face is that whilst the cover is open I have no control over what is happening inside this room. — Ave’arn,’ he looked intently at his younger brother, ‘I need you to close the book’s cover once I enter the pages, that way The Game can’t grow out of control. That will give me an opportunity to take a look inside the book and uncover some of its mysteries.’

‘Graton, that could prove extremely dangerous! What if you enter The Game and then can’t find your way out?’ Ave’arn asked with trepidation.

Antamea came to stand beside him, her face aglow with excitement at the prospect of Graton entering the book. It all seemed so unbelievable.

‘Don’t worry silly, I’ve done it before, but only for a few seconds. It’s really quite simple and safe.’

‘When did you manage to do that?’ Ave’arn asked, as his interest grew.

‘When I first discovered this room I opened the book. At first I stood watching the mist rise not realising that the pages were coming to life. When I saw what was happening I simply concentrated all my thoughts on the book and felt myself being drawn into the pages. I was there inside the book as it came to life around me. I felt more alive in those few moments of time than in any other period of my existence. That is why you have to help me uncover the mysteries it contains.’

‘What happened?’ Antamea intruded, her eagerness infectious.

This time Graton gave a genuine smile. He could already see he would have no difficulty in getting Antamea to cooperate with him.

‘I realised just in time that the book was taking over and that I wasn’t skilled enough or knowledgeable enough to stop it. I could see the room filling up, like when the tide rises. I quickly let my thoughts float back to what was happening in the room and I stepped out of the pages and shut the book.’

‘Wow, that’s amazing,’ Antamea gushed, her enthusiasm sparking even more excitement in those around her.

‘Yes it is. That’s why I need you to stand guard while I search for some answers,’ Graton said, as he stared at his brother and an open mouthed Antamea. ‘When I enter The Game you must make sure to close the cover behind me . . .’

‘How will I know when to reopen it again?’ Ave’arn asked in a shaky voice.

‘I’m not sure about that myself, but we will try it in short intervals. Maybe if we try this for a few moments to begin with, then gradually try longer periods until I am confident of success.’

‘How exciting . . . how truly exciting. When can we start? Now?’ Antamea asked, her voice pitched high with the anticipation of it all.

Graton laughed, his whole demeanour suddenly changed by the keenness of his young Serpentine friend.

‘No . . . We’ve been gone too long already and we wouldn’t want Zadus to come looking for us, would we?’ Antamea shook her head. ‘We will meet tomorrow after the morning tide has subsided like we always do. Then we can journey here together. Whatever you do, you must act normally. I can’t stress how important it is that Zadus never finds out about this.’

‘What if father asks any of us what we’ve been up to?’ Ave’arn asked warily, his excitement tempered by the thought of having to deceive the Serpent King.

‘We are playing games. It’s not a lie, so you don’t have to put on an act.’ Graton remarked, before walking to the door and easing it gently open. Peering around the edge he could see that the corridor lay empty. No-one had discovered his secret. Quickly he ushered the others outside and closed the door tightly, placing a small piece of coral on the top of the handle. If someone did come along and open the door, then the small rock would fall and he would know their secret had been discovered. It had worked for him on other occasions within the palace.

‘Until tomorrow then,’ Graton whispered, as they made their way quietly back along the corridors toward the surface and their home.

•

The following day held great excitement for the three companions. Each day, as usual, they met on low tide. Today they staged their activities very carefully, making sure they started a game of hide and seek in the upper levels of the palace where others could see them.

Zadus stood watching them from a distance, his dark presence looming over them like a storm cloud building on the horizon. However, he soon grew tired of their childish antics and wandered off to pursue his interest in his laboratories housed high within the palace towers.

After they saw him leave, Graton whispered quietly to the others, and they swiftly made their way toward the lower chambers.

Antamea shuddered. Zadus’s laboratory held painful memories for her. It was there Zadus had kept her caged and memories of those times made her very aware of the evilness contained within his rooms. Neither Graton nor Ave’arn had ever seen inside their older brother’s laboratory, and it was no wonder.

Zadus was a necromancer.

His workshop was filled with paraphernalia which he used to conjure up insidious contraptions and potions. These he used to torture or experiment upon unsuspecting victims. He held many specimens in his rooms; serpents of the lower class who Antamea assumed had been enticed or ensnared by Zadus’s blackened heart.

These souls he kept hidden were distorted figures; some with two heads, others with no eyes or facial features that were recognisable. It had repulsed Antamea, but not once in all the years that Zadus had toyed with her did she ever show fear or let on that his actions had disturbed her. Some instinct deep inside had kept her from displaying any emotion. Zadus lived off the fear of others and Antamea suspected this was the only thing that had saved her from becoming another one of his victims. Zadus showed no concern for what he did. Not even the threat that his father might find out seemed to dissuade him from his endeavours.

Antamea sighed with genuine relief as she followed along behind Ave’arn and Graton as they headed for the secret chamber, dismissing her morbid thoughts as she turned her attention to finding out more about The Game.

The morning tide had already reached its lowest point as they made their way toward the secret chamber. Graton realised there would be little time today to do more than just skim through the first few pages of the book. Tomorrow he would have to convince the others to leave earlier in order for him to spend more time exploring. He would have to accept the risk that Zadus might see them as they made their way into the lower levels. Graton decided it would be worth the risk in order to give him the time he needed to discover the hidden secrets he knew the book must contain.

As they approached the secret door, Graton took note that the small stone he had placed upon the handle the day before still lay undisturbed. Confidently, Graton opened the door and marched inside. As all three approached the chest, Graton spun around sharply, ‘Ave’arn, are you sure you can do this without panicking?’

‘What is there to panic about? All I have to do is make sure you’re in before I close the cover.’

‘Good. Once I’m in, you must only leave me there for a short while. The tide will rise again soon and we mustn’t get trapped down here.’ He waited for Ave’arn’s acknowledgment before continuing. ‘You see little brother, I never got a chance the first time to explore where the path inside the book led, so this time I want to see where it will take me.’ His voice rose with excitement and passion. Turning he gazed at Antamea. ‘Antamea, you move over there and stay put in the corner. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.’ Truth was he didn’t want her to become too curious regarding the mites. The mites were the creatures he encountered when first he entered the book and from that very first moment they had formed a strong relationship with him. Graton wanted them to remain loyal to him and him alone.

‘Why? I’m not afraid,’ she answered glumly.

‘Do as you’re told. There will be time later for you to be involved.’ Graton insisted she do as he asked, as he pointed toward the far corner. Antamea headed away, slithering silently into position. ‘Are you ready?’ he asked as he looked at Ave’arn.

‘Ready when you are!’

Tension in the room was building and it could be felt by all of them. Slowly Graton opened the book. As before, a mist began to rise from the pages, spiralling upward to dissipate about the room. Graton kept his eyes glued to the first page where an illustration of a medallion was featured, the ornate frame holding a ruby coloured orb at its heart. In that moment Graton vanished. Without thinking Ave’arn closed the book, his hands shaking as the cover slammed shut with a thud.

‘I don’t know why I can’t come any closer!’ Antamea sounded disheartened. ‘I’ll not get hurt by this stupid game.’

‘Just for now humour him please. Once the novelty wears off he’ll not be so guarded.’ Ave’arn said, as he studied the surface of the book’s cover. The leather felt soft like silica sand as he ran his hand over the surface, and it was slightly warm to the touch. Slowly Ave’arn let his hand caress the spine and was surprised to feel something pinch his skin. He quickly withdrew his hand and bent over to take a look. Antamea couldn’t contain her curiosity any longer and slithered to his side.

‘See, there they are,’ she said excitedly. ‘Aren’t they the cutest little things you have ever seen?’

Small creatures, round and furry with pulsating light emanating from their bodies, fluttered up and down the edge of the book.

‘Is that what you saw yesterday?’ Ave’arn asked.

‘Yes.’ Antamea replied eagerly, as she stood on her tail to take a closer look. As she did the creatures disappeared, seemingly to melt back into the book’s spine.

‘Oh, they’re gone, how disappointing,’ she whispered softly.

•

Graton began working his way along the path, his heart thudding in his chest. He wasn’t fearful, just anxious to know where this passageway would take him. The tunnel he travelled was made from solid rock, perfectly smooth with a pale light seeping through the ceiling which gave him enough brightness to be able to navigate with ease. As he made his way along the shaft he realised he was not alone as the mites suddenly appeared through small cracks within the roof. Smiling, he kept walking, knowing they meant him no harm. He was hoping that eventually this path would lead him somewhere before Ave’arn reopened the book.

He was relying heavily upon his brother to do his part.

There was at least an hour before the tide would begin to rise, hopefully just enough time to discover at least one secret contained within the book before he and the others would need to scurry back to the palace before they were missed. He prayed Ave’arn would wait until the last minute before summonsing him back.

After what seemed like hours, Graton began to panic. It seemed he had been trudging this path without getting anywhere and he knew his time here must be running out soon. Taking a deep breath he steadied himself, hoping Ave’arn had not fallen asleep and forgotten about him. Just as those doubts were beginning to form in his mind Graton saw an intense light ahead of him so he ran toward it. The mites didn’t follow, but stayed instead within the darkened shadows of the tunnel.

Graton arrived at the opening which was cut into the exterior of a massive egg shaped rock formation. As he stepped into the bright sunlight a wonderful scene met his eyes, a place cast with warm weather and clean air, a place which appeared quite extraordinary, a world vastly different to that which he had known throughout his life. Breathing deeply, Graton walked to the edge of the precipice upon which the rock stood. Before him lay valleys filled with wondrous flora, the colours and textures so diverse he found it difficult to appreciate the scene in a single glance. Squatting down he picked up a pebble, its surface worn smooth over time. Graton could not believe how wondrous this place was. It defied even those images he had conjured up in his dreams or the scenes depicted in the books in his father’s library. He wondered if it was real.

As he stood gazing at the scene an intense feeling of uneasiness overcame him. It was as if a huge hand was drawing him backward. Suddenly Graton felt himself spinning, his body reeling out of control.

•

Ave’arn slowly lifted the cover of the book. Graton had been specific about the importance of not leaving him inside for too long. It had seemed like forever, but in reality it had only been a few minutes since his brother disappeared and already Ave’arn was beginning to grow fearful. This game had been hidden on purpose; hidden so deep Ave’arn feared that no-one was ever supposed to locate the mysteries behind its secrets. There had to be a reason for that.

Antamea slithered back to her corner as Ave’arn opened the cover. She could see fear surfacing on Ave’arn’s face and began to wonder what would happen if Graton didn’t return. What if the book had swallowed him whole?

Suddenly Graton’s form materialised before them and she felt relief sweep over her.

Quickly Ave’arn closed the cover as Graton’s form took shape.

‘That was an amazing experience,’ Graton exclaimed, as he met his brother’s bewildered gaze. Grabbing Ave’arn by the shoulders, Graton stared at him wide-eyed. ‘You won’t believe what I discovered. I came upon a place so beautiful I can’t even begin to describe it. The wonders of the coral and plant life here are nothing compared to what awaits us within these pages, Ave’arn.’

‘But you were only gone a few minutes, hardly enough time for you to have seen anything. Surely you must have been dreaming,’ remarked Ave’arn with concern.

‘Dreaming? No. It was no dream little brother,’ Graton replied slowly, as he showed them the pebble he held in his palm. ‘This is proof. I picked it up on dry land, a place that I wouldn’t have thought existed until now.’ Rolling the pebble between his long fingers, Graton then tossed it in the air, catching it as it fell. ‘Tomorrow we will come again but next time you must leave me in the book for as long as the tide permits.’ Graton could tell from the perspiration beading along his brother’s forehead that Ave’arn had panicked and drawn him back too soon. ‘I need to find out what drives this game. The more I explore and the more mysteries I uncover, the sooner we can leave this place.’

Antamea slithered over to take a closer look at what Graton held in his hand. She thought he might chastise her, but he said nothing. Ave’arn too was looking at the pebble, its colour like burnt ochre, rich and intoxicating. None of them had ever seen such depth of hue before. Placing the stone carefully within the lining of his hip-wrap, Graton and the others left the room, closing the door behind them. Once again Graton placed the small piece of coral on the handle before leading the others back toward the palace.

The following morning dawned with much excitement as Graton and Ave’arn joined their father for nourishment. The morning feast was the only time the Serpent King and his family came together as a group. At the table the King issued orders for Zadus to attend him in his private chambers after their meal was finished. Graton and Ave’arn decided now was a prime opportunity to escape unseen into the lower depths. They wasted no time after their father and Zadus had left the room to gather Antamea from her private chamber before racing along the passageways. They made it to the lower levels just as the tidal pools drained the last of the seawater away. The kelp, which hung in thick strands from the ceiling, still dripped with the residue of the tide and small marine life were crawling in mass confusion over the sea-washed floor. Graton kicked the mindless creatures aside as he led the others toward the secret door at the end of the passage.

Once inside the chamber he shut the door tight.

The room was dry but still held a musky odour, and like before nothing inside the room appeared to have been submerged by the ocean. Somehow this place wasn’t affected by the rise and fall of the tides.

‘Well it seems I will have enough time today to explore the book in depth,’ Graton said, before motioning for Ave’arn to move closer. Ave’arn said nothing as Antamea slapped her tail against the stone floor in excitement.

‘Will you bring me something back? Maybe a little stone like you brought back yesterday,’ she asked without guile.

Graton gave her a sideways glance, smiling openly as he displayed his two fangs and flicked his silvery tongue back and forth at her. ‘If you do as you’re told and stay put in the corner I’ll bring you back a token, something special.’

‘Oh thank you,’ she said excitedly. ‘I promise I’ll behave.’

Turning to face Ave’arn, Graton sounded quite stern. ‘Don’t reopen the book until the tide is due to rise. I want to spend as much time as possible searching these pages.’

‘Very well, but if you get into trouble I won’t be able to assist you,’ Ave’arn murmured, hoping to instil some sense of caution into his brother.

‘I’m not afraid . . . fear is for those who can’t envisage change,’ Graton replied smugly, as he lifted open the cover of the book.

Once again the mist rose, dispersing quickly as it floated toward the ceiling, a foul smell once again pervading the air within the room. Graton concentrated his thoughts on the image on the front page, the medallion with its ruby heart seeming to come alive as he fixed his gaze upon it. Moments later he found himself once more walking the cavernous veins of the Pathway. This time he moved quickly, for he now realised these tunnels would eventually lead him somewhere, hopefully to the place he had visited before.

The mites sped along behind, watching the mysterious serpent running as if something fearsome was chasing him.

This is fun!

At last there seemed to be someone prepared to play this game that would not close it down. Special Light, the leader of the mites, kept a close eye on the strange creature as Graton raced ahead of them. His peculiar looking body reminded the mite of Rar, the Serpentine who first came here hundreds of years before. She had liked Rar, liked him a lot, but he had been reluctant to continue The Game once he knew the price he would have to pay to control it. Rar had halted The Game soon after its inception. That made Special Light sad. Without The Game being played she and her kind could not truly exist.

Graton saw a brightness appear ahead of him and he quickened his pace. He walked out from the entrance of the egg-shaped rock and into the light of day. Wiping his eyes, Graton waited until his pupils adjusted to the glare of a red-rimmed sun. He could see straight away that this was not the same place he had visited during his prior exploration. This was a world in stark contrast to what he had seen the previous day. This was a desert, with bubbling mud spewing out from craters, the heat from the inferno becoming more intense as the boiling mud blobbed and churned. This was not a place where a young serpent could remain for very long.

He stood watching the landscape, mesmerised by the hostile environment. This place was a warning that within these pages danger lurked. Suddenly Graton heard a mighty roar, his heart lurching into a rapid beat with the sound. From behind one of the craters walked a large lizard-like creature, its body covered in spikes. The creature had an elongated head and displayed viciously sharp teeth. It spied Graton standing only a few meters away, its beady eyes focused intently on its prey. Without waiting to see what the creature had in mind, Graton turned, fleeing quickly back through the opening in the rock and into the safety of the Pathway.

Steadying himself, Graton watched as the creature slid past his view, oblivious it seemed to the opening in the rock through which he had entered. Was it possible that these entry-ways were not visible to everyone? Graton gave that notion thought. Along the semi-darkened corridor of the path he could see the glow of the mites waiting for him to return. With purpose he made his way toward them.

Graton recalled the first time he visited the book. The mites had buzzed around him as he emerged within the pages, swarming at him as if they were inspecting every detail of his body. At first he had thought they meant to harm him but after a while it was clear they were simply inquisitive. When he spoke, one of them had buzzed about the wall writing a simple word, mite. Graton figured this was what they called themselves. They had simply accompanied him the short distance he travelled at that time. Now, as he made his way toward the mites, Graton thought these insects may have a very good understanding of this game and probably knew a great deal about where these paths led. He was determined to befriend them further so they might be encouraged to show him the mysteries of this place.

Special Light drew her friends closer, keeping an eye on Graton as he approached. Silly serpent-man, Special Light thought, fancy taking that path. Only trouble awaits those who venture to a place like that.

‘Mite,’ Graton said slowly, hoping the creatures understood what he was saying. ‘Would you show me how this game works?’ He looked totally surprised when one of the mites buzzed about the ceiling writing a message.

‘It would be our pleasure Master.’

It then darted ahead of him down the passage.

Master! That sounded like a great title to Graton. Smiling, he followed after his tiny friends, inspired by the fact these creatures not only understood his words and could answer him, but they also seemed to hold him in great esteem.

‘What are your names?’ Graton asked, after they had travelled some distance, for time seemed to have little significance in this place. One of the mites stopped and the rest of the balls swarmed about it, as if trying to comprehend what Graton had asked. Again one of the mites buzzed about the ceiling.

‘Master, we are mites. I am known as Special Light because I was the first. The rest of my friends have no names, they are just mites.’ The creature wrote.

‘Special Light . . . well that’s far too long a name for such a small creature like you,’ Graton said, before letting his thoughts rest for a moment. He searched his mind for a name that he could easily remember. Recalling the small seahorse he kept in a bowl in his room, Graton smiled. He had named it Bea. ‘Bea, that is what I shall call you, it suits you.’

‘As you wish, Master,’ she answered bemused.

‘Bea, can you lead me to a place where I can find a very pretty stone?’ He recalled his promise to Antamea and thought that bringing the young serpentine back a token from his travels would definitely endear her to him. Ever since Antamea’s arrival within their household she had been infatuated with Ave’arn. Now it was time for her to realise that the promise of a better future lay with him, not his younger brother.

‘Oh yes Master, pretty stones, very pretty stones,’ Bea wrote, before darting ahead of her friends who quickly joined in behind as they made their way along the tunnel.

The mites were racing swiftly ahead of Graton, but his feet seemed to sweep along the floor as if by a means other than his own natural mobility. Graton passed several tunnel entrances but they lay in complete darkness. The path they travelled was the only one illuminated by a soft light.

Graton noticed the sides of the path had grown increasingly smoother, as if it had been polished to look like flowing fields of sea-grass and the ceiling seemed to glow of its own accord. They travelled up and down inclines, going around corners so fast Graton thought he would slam head first into the bends before he made it safely around. The mites seemed amused by it all, for he could hear their humming escalate whenever he brushed close to the rock-face. When he began to think they would never reach a destination he felt his momentum slow as Bea and the other mites came to a sudden stop.

‘Ahead Master, you will find what you are looking for. I hope you are pleased,’ Bea wrote, before drawing her friends back within the darkness.

‘I’m sure I will Bea,’ Graton replied with humility. These creatures were especially helpful. Maybe he would ask Bea if she knew how he might control The Game and become its Master.

Walking rapidly, Graton headed for the light shining through the opening ahead. Once again the entrance was cut into the side of an egg-shaped rock. This time, before he stepped out, he peered gingerly around the edge, hoping no dangerous creatures lurked outside the entrance ready to swallow him whole. Gladly, all he could see was the side of another rock, very similar in shape to the one through which he just passed.

The surface of the landscape Graton stepped into was filled with precious and semi-precious stones. The ground was literally covered with them. Stooping low, he picked up what appeared to be a diamond. He had never seen a real one before, only read about their hardness and clarity in the books in his father’s library. It was said a diamond could cut through glass. He thought of the damage one could do to the glass structures of the city walls if one had enough of these.

The diamonds came in all shapes and sizes and Graton was tempted to take one back to Antamea, but he realised the sudden appearance of a diamond would definitely alert Zadus that something untoward was taking place. No, it had to be a stone that existed within the realm of the Crystal City, something that held similar properties at least to what lay in the depths of their ocean. Placing the diamond back, Graton moved further afield, taking care not to