Portals in Peril: Empty World Saga, #5

By David K. Anderson

Defend the portals. Defend the universe.

Sent back to Earth, Christy bides her time plotting to go back to the Empty World. She has the means; she just needs to round up as many friends as she can and convince them to go with her. All is not right in the Empty World, and Doug and Mike may not be able to defend the pyramid by themselves.

When the Ancients manage to steal the crystal protecting the massive power source contained inside the pyramid, it's a race against time. Christy and her friends must track down and restore the crystal, or the released black hole won't just destroy the Empty World...the whole universe is in danger!

Portals in Peril is the fifth and final book in the Empty World Saga, a science fiction adventure series for kids aged 8-12. If your kids have blown through the Land of Stories, devoured the Keeper of the Lost Cities, or can't wait for the next Wings of Fire, make the complete Empty World Saga their next read.

Grab Portals in Peril and help save the Empty World now!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Magical Scrivener Press
• Release date: Feb 19, 2019
• ISBN: 9781643550299

Book preview

PROLOGUE

6 Weeks Before the Present

Jack was dreaming. He hurtled along, caught in a moving river of dirt that was bringing him closer and closer to the forest. No matter what he did, he couldn’t free himself. The more he tried, the deeper he sunk in, as if he were caught in quicksand. He finally stopped struggling, realizing the futility of it.

Focusing on where he was being drawn, he saw that the forest was fast approaching. Dark and sinister looking from a distance, it was even more so as he was pulled closer. When the forest towered over him, the river of dirt slowed and spit him out of its grasp. An overpowering scent of jasmine assailed his nostrils.

Then the sequence started again. He was stuck, hurtling along, unable to free himself till being spit out. Over and over, the same sequence, always ending with the cloying scent of jasmine.

Christy Walker watched the shouting and laughing as everyone was gathered in the planning room under the town of Boakly after meeting up with her dad—Doug—and Detective Mike Lockhart. Quietly, she listened as her dad and Detective Lockhart told her about the pyramid and the things that Utoov told them it contained. Utoov, one of only two surviving members of his species—assuming his brother, Poov, was still alive—finally began to take charge and quiet everyone down with animated gestures. After leading them to the planning room, their Garlian guides had politely stepped back to allow the humans time to catch up with each other and then say goodbye to their Empty World friends. They’d all come together after finally finding Cory. The surprise and excitement of all being safe in one room had led to that confusion of noise as stories were hurriedly relayed amidst hugs and laughs of relief. But Christy was subdued in her reactions. Her grandfather had been whisked away from her, and they didn’t know where he was or even if he was still alive.

When he had everyone’s attention, Utoov began, Here. He extended his small hand, palm up and open. Each of you take one of these. He handed a small iridescent green marble to Danny, Brad, Cory, and Christy. When it was Christy’s turn, he took an extra second. Her eyes went wide, questioning. She stared at the alien who shook his head slightly. Unobserved by anyone else—too busy examining their own—he’d also slipped a small blue cloth sack to her. Clearly, he didn’t want her to say anything. With her hand closed, the sack was hidden from view. Christy squeezed it for a second. It felt like it contained more marbles. In her head, she heard, For emergencies only. Keep it secret from the others for now. You’ll understand when you open it.

Utoov turned from her quickly and continued explaining to everyone. Hold these tightly in your hands until you feel them warm up almost till you’ll want to drop them before they burn…but they won’t…you will all be back home.

Danny was still pale and weak from his spider poisoning, and while Utoov explained, he slumped to the floor with an audible groan. As everyone rushed to Danny, Christy pocketed the mysterious blue sack. Danny waved them all off. I just need to sit.

What about me? Cory asked, staring down at his wheelchair and stroking Murray the cat, who was sleeping on his lap, oblivious to the noise and bustle.

Christy looked at him. She knew that the question wasn’t really because Cory was worried about getting home through the pond. She was pretty sure he was still hoping he’d get to continue his search for a cure for his paralysis—a search that had been interrupted by being found by the rest of group on the verge of heading home to Earth.

Utoov forestalled any arguments Cory might be forming when he explained, These are tiny transport crystals linked to one of the portals in the pyramid. I’ve adjusted that portal to bring you home but not under water. And I’m sorry, but the crystals won’t work to bring you back here. It’s a one-way trip.

Cory exhaled loudly but kept otherwise silent. His shoulders tensed, and his hands gripped his wheelchair. Christy’d traveled too far with him not to be able to know when he was seething with disappointment and anger. Apparently, everyone else had picked up on his mood because they all remained quiet. It was difficult not to feel a little sorry for him.

Finally, her dad broke the awkward silence. One way? Good.

Yes, we don’t want to see you kids coming back here again. Ever, Detective Lockhart chimed in.

He and her dad would be staying in the Empty World. They had volunteered to help Utoov defend the pyramid that held a working copy of every portal the Ancients had ever created, and to look for Christy’s grandfather, Jack, who had been whisked away by a river of moving mud toward a sinister forest.

The Ancient TuMaz-Tan had already destroyed the entrance to the pyramid and had stationed guards inside to wait for Utoov or anyone else who might try to get in. With its treasure trove of machines and devices as well as the portals, the pyramid could be just what TuMaz-Tan needed to conquer the Empty World. Utoov, Doug, and Mike wanted to stop him if they could.

But first things first. Christy and her friends had to be sent back to Earth.

It was time. They’d said their goodbyes, and all arguments had been countered. Christy’s dispute had been the loudest and longest. In the end, seeing she was getting nowhere, she’d given up and accepted her trip home.

Utoov moved away from the group of kids to stand with the two grown-ups. Go ahead, close your hands tightly.

Wait! Christy yelled, stepping over to Utoov and hugging him. She bent down and whispered into one of his almost non-existent ears.

What?

Use them wisely. As I said…you’ll understand. And your dad would not be happy to know I’ve given those to you. He’d spoken only to her again.

Christy stepped back, blowing another kiss to her dad and gripping the small blue sack in her pocket. She looked around and noticed Cory turning away from her gaze. Not sure if he’d seen her slip the bag in her pocket minutes before, she had to let the thought go. She extended her hand, helping Danny to his feet. Then she went over to Brad, took his hand that held the green crystal, and closed it for him. Sometimes Brad was unpredictable, and she wanted to make sure he got home with them.

With two of them reluctant, and the other two eager, the four friends squeezed their hands tightly around their crystals and headed home to Earth.

In the midst of the sudden overwhelming quiet, Mike spoke. Christy took that awfully well, don’t you think?

Doug didn’t reply for a moment, staring at the empty space where the four kids had just been standing. Too well, he muttered, scratching his chin.

Utoov stood apart, looking down at his feet. Doug turned and looked at their little friend. Utoov, is there something wrong?

No, no, of course not. I’m just impatient to get back to the pyramid.

Two Days Later

This is not good, Doug Walker whispered to Detective Mike Lockhart.

You got that right, Mike whispered back.

They were crouched down behind a tangle of growth, hiding them from the front of the pyramid. They were watching a steady stream of Ancients carry out what looked like some type of machine and all sorts of other equipment onto large flatbed wooden wagons with primitive wheels.

Doug shook his head. How are they going to move those things? We know they don’t have any horses or oxen to pull them. And they’re loading them up pretty heavily.

Doug motioned to Mike to pull away, and they crawled out from their hiding spot and retreated to a safer distance from the activity.

Once they were a far enough away, they conversed without whispering.

Doug frowned. And what happened to Utoov again? He seems to come and go as he pleases.

Mike shrugged. Without an opportunity to get inside without being seen, maybe he has other things to attend to. But he’s being awfully tight-lipped about it.

Doug snorted. His precious pyramid is being cleaned out of everything that he’s been charged with protecting, and he disappears? I thought we were coming back here to help him. We could be out searching for Jack, not wondering what to do here.

Maybe he’s cooking up some scheme. He sure has seemed agitated as the Ancients have been coming and going, Mike said, then added. As he should be.

Well, I wish he’d let us in on whatever he has planned.

Just then they heard shouting and what sounded like someone issuing orders. Creeping back to take a look, the two were surprised to see a large group of Cleaners huddled next to the pyramid and being guarded by several Ancients with spears. The Cleaners were all tied together at the ankles by what looked like one long line of rope.

Doug nudged Mike. There’s our answer, I’ll bet. They must have just brought those Cleaners here to pull the wagons for them.

How many do you think there are? Mike wondered.

Doug did a quick headcount. There’s at least sixty or seventy tied up. Hard to tell, they’re so tightly grouped together.

Mike motioned for them to step away this time. Within minutes, they’d moved away far enough again.

Mike shook his head. I don’t get it. The Cleaners outnumber the Ancients three to one at least. We haven’t seen more than, what? Twenty Ancients here. A few spears shouldn’t have cowered all those Cleaners.

Doug nodded. Agreed. Something’s got them scared so that they’ve let themselves be captured.

I wonder what’s got them so afraid of the Ancients.

Suddenly, TuMaz-Tan came out of the ruined entrance to the pyramid and approached the group of prisoners. He shouted, then turned to several of the other Ancients, clearly directing them with his words and arm gestures. A couple of them prodded the Cleaners, slicing their bonds. Then TuMaz-Tan took charge again, ordering Cleaners in groups to line up at each wagon. The wagons had thick ropes attached on one end. Soon it became clear that the Cleaners were going to use the ropes to pull the wagons as Doug had guessed.

What should we do? Mike whispered.

Doug shrugged. Without Utoov here for guidance, I think we need to follow and find out where they’re taking all this loot from the pyramid.

Agreed.

During the confusion as the Cleaners were separated into groups and assigned to a wagon, one of them tried to run, being free of his leg restraints. The Cleaner got thirty or forty yards away, almost reaching the cover of the woods. TuMaz-Tan stepped clear of the others and, reaching to his belt, he withdrew something that Doug and Mike couldn’t see. Whatever it was though, TuMaz-Tan pointed it at the fleeing Cleaner, and a second later, a brilliant flash exploded from the tip. Almost instantly, a corresponding flash erupted from the Cleaner’s back, and the poor individual stumbled then dropped to the ground.

There’s our answer. I’d be afraid of that too, Doug whispered bitterly.

Just as the excitement from the escape attempt was calming down, a large commotion in the surrounding woods got the Ancients and the Cleaners looking off toward the noise. As the noise grew louder and closer, it seemed to be coming from nearly half the darkened woods. Soon the sound separated into grunts and trampling footsteps and something slashing or beating the foliage. The trees and underbrush began swaying as if being stirred up by a sudden gale-force wind. The slashing sounds and the dark, shadowy movements just beyond the clearing were so disturbing that both Ancient guards and Cleaner prisoners were chattering in their own languages and forgetting whatever their tasks had been.

Suddenly the woods erupted with an earsplitting clicking. Cleaners appeared from everywhere, pouring into the clearing. Covered in dark cloth or smeared with camouflaging dark grease, some were riding creatures that looked like large dark-grey long-haired pigs with short, stubby, branching antlers. They charged right at the two groups, whirling large rocks around their heads on the end of thick ropes. Leading the charge was a small Cleaner. An attack was on.

Some of the Ancients took cover behind the wagons. Some, though, raised their spears to strike back. Those that did were targeted first by the mounted Cleaners. All the attackers used their whirling rocks to good effect, landing blow after blow and downing any Ancient in their path. Amidst the commotion and flying rocks, it took only a minute or so for the attackers to overpower the Ancient captors.

During the confusion, the attacking Cleaners who were on foot gathered up the prisoners. With clicks and gestures, they pointed toward the woods—safety beyond the clearing. The mounted Cleaners followed behind, leaving most of the Ancients who hadn’t been hit stunned and unable to mount any counteroffensive. The crashing and trampling sounds of their retreat faded quickly. The attack had been carried out swiftly and with an efficient sophistication.

The last of the large pig-like creatures circled the clearing. Riding it was the small Cleaner. He