Realms of Edenocht The Timeless Plains

By DS Johnson and Suzanne Johnson

Time is ticking as the Timeless Plains becomes the new battleground for evil, but first Shaz and the crew have to find a way to save Serin's family from the toxin of the Ruin Spiders that are now invading the underground. Riddick and Amirra take their journey to the far reaches of the Turbulent Reef where time turns at a much slower rate. Turkil

• Language: English
• Publisher: Suzanne Johnson
• Release date: Nov 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9781087967370

Book preview

D.S. JOHNSON

  A Young Adult Fantasy Fiction Action Adventure Novel

DS JOHNSON

2020

Copyright © 2020 by Suzanne F Johnson

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

First Printing: 2020 B&N

ISBN 978-1-7352859-5-5

Illustrator -DS Johnson

Rosecrest Printing

Herriman, Utah 84096

www.dsjohnsonbooks.com

Dedication

To my family! To my husband Don, who loves the stories as much as I do and supports me through each one, (with the gentle pushes to get it done so he can read it). To my kids who keep the family dinner table make-believe sessions alive.

To my fans and all those who will come across this book at some future time and fall in love with it as I have.

Contents

D.S. JOHNSON

Prologue- I Am Jaduuk’ai

1-He Still Has A Pulse

2-I Suggest You Figure That Out

3-Jaduuk’ai Temple

4-I Think We Should Go Investigate

5-I Guess I’m Going For The Spit

6-Did You Figure Out Where We Are

7- Things Are About To Get Weird

8-You’re A Tiny Human!

9-One Spider Is Too Many In My Book

10-We Have An Enemy To Crush

11- I Guess We’ll Learn Quickly

12-Keep An Eye On The Water

13-Too Small, Yeah, We Know

14-Move Your Outfit Through Here

15-It’s So Beautiful And Terrifying

16-We Will Be Back

17-It’s Called Geo-Kinetics

18- Life Gets In The Way, Doesn’t It?

19- How Did Things Go?

20-Now We Wait

21-In Theory Yes,

22-Can You Make More

23-  Who Had This Castle Before Your Parents?

24-Things Are Not Looking Good

25-More Jaduuk I’m Afraid

26-We Have A Situation

27- Repeat This To Antorn

28-As Many As Possible

29- Suit Yourself

30-I Have Been Told I Am Stubborn

31-We’ll Leave You To Your Planning

32-This Is Treason!

33-No Time To Visit

34-Heat It Up Real Hot

35-These Knuckleheads Almost Blew Us Up

36-She Hasn’t Stopped Talking About You

37-Run From What?

38-I Have A Favor To Ask

39-I Know What This Casting Is About

40-Go, We’re Right Behind You

41- You’re Going

42-How Long Will You Be Gone

43-I’m Still Mad At You

44-Alright, Here’s The Plan

45-Pretty One!

46-It Begins

47-You Sure Did Make A Mess

48-What Do You Think We’ve Been Doing?

49- There’s Something Wrong With Amirra

50-I Smell The Blood Of The Lavari

51-We’re Out, Let’s Go

52-What Does It Say?

53-In The Hollow

54-I Have Figured Out The Runecasting

55-This Makes Things A Bit More Interesting

56-We Need To Get To The Ground Now

57-I Have An Idea

58-You Need To Teach Me How To Do That

59-I’m Ready To Kill Them All

60-Now, You Behave

61-I Hope Everyone Is Ready For This

62-Shaz, Don’t You DARE!

63-We Better Get Down There And Help

64-We Can Handle Things From Here

65-I Made Nama A Promise

Prologue- I Am Jaduuk’ai

They once lived a vibrant life dedicated to caring for the land and animals. They harnessed the elements and with their supernatural abilities devoted themselves to the world of Edenocht. Their traditions were deep in the laws of conduct, and they valued their rights and responsibilities. But times changed. The shadow crept into their hearts and madness ripped across the land. Father and son fought against father and son and mothers were left desolate.

Alisdair are you sure you want to do this? a man asked.

His medium-length white hair was pulled back into a knot at the back of his head as was most of the warriors.

We either die by fighting or we just die, Alisdair said looking into his friend’s sky-blue eyes.

Then we fight to the end, the man said with a slight grin, but Alisdair knew his guts ached too.

Alisdair wanted to puke, the fear for his people ripped through his guts as he examined their finely chiseled features, high cheekbones, and strong jaws.

You have been my best friend and loyal supporter Onen, Alisdair said.

Onen studied Alisdair’s strong features, pale blonde hair and deep-blue eyes that reflected the high-sun’s rays with intensity. It was a face he had looked up to his entire life.

You have been more than that since before the time I can remember, Onen said.

Alisdair smiled and nodded, but his heart ached for his people. They didn’t start this war, and it wasn’t their fault, but they had to finish it, or die trying. Overwhelming dread sank into his chest. He searched the distance and found nothing but a ruined world. Death, and destruction brought on by anger, jealousy, and greed. He examined the horizon, and his fear was confirmed. It was just him and his army now.

Alisdair sucked in a deep breath and nodded to his commanding officers, shoved his heel into the side of his horse and it lurched forward. He gripped the reins and relaxed them but slapped the leather straps against the animal to give it permission to run. The horse complied and gained a fast pace quickly. The officers followed suit and then the rest of the army. It wasn’t long before the powerful thudding of the horses’ hooves hitting the dusty ground surged through the atmosphere.

Alisdair’s horse gripped the terrain with fierceness. The hundreds of horses followed with diligence as did their riders. The army of the Tooatha De Dannon was strong, fierce, and loyal, but they had been fighting this war for so many rotations and the creatures just wouldn’t stop coming. Every time they wiped out the hordes, more hordes returned. The wind whipped through their hair as they raced toward the mountain and the growing stench of death and decay sank into their senses.

The Tooatha De Dannon were a fair-complexioned people with hair colors ranging from blonde to white with blue and gray eyes. Remarkably different from their brothers the Fir Bolg in likeness and in every other way. The Fir delighted in bloodshed and fierce cruelty. They were the first to succumb to the shadows enticing, all because of Baltair the fourth born to the God of Glory. As the fourth son, he was always overlooked by the brothers and sister. Especially the oldest, Alisdair. Baltair hated him, he was fair, blonde, blue-eyed, strong, powerful, and the chosen one. Despite Alisdair’s attempts at loving his younger brother, Baltair embraced the darkness.

Heavy thuds pelted his ears and Alisdair turned to find another army on horseback led by his sister, Malita, and on the other, his brother Todan. Alisdair wasn’t sure they were going to come as they had had their differences, but his heart swelled with gratitude, but then a fear sank into his being. He was leading them all to their deaths. The wind rushed by with a loudness that left the pit in his stomach deep and Malita nodded with her beautiful smile. Her long warm golden-brown hair flowed off the back of her delicate features and her deep green eyes twinkled as she gave him her silent support.

Todan was a vibrant individual with a love for life and fun, but had a serious side that was often misunderstood for a hot temper that matched his red hair. His soft brown eyes nodded and also gave Alisdair his silent support. The three leaders of their people moved into ranks as the horses barreled over the now barren wasteland. Baltair’s evil pact with the Shadow had left its mark on the world as well as his people, most of which had been killed and or replaced with his underworld beasts.

Alisdair pointed and the siblings looked. The underworld creatures came into view still several lengths ahead, but they could see them running on all fours. The Jaduuk were a mix of an orc-like wolf hunter that walked upright, and ran on all fours with clawed hooves.  Their long-pointed fangs that went upward to the crest of their eyebrows reflected the sun and drool dripped from their wolves snout.

Alisdair pulled his longbow and settled into the saddle squeezing his legs tightly against the horse. He loaded an arrow and the others in the front few lines followed. He sucked in a deep breath and released the arrow as he breathed out. With intense speed, he released every arrow in his quiver and every one hit their marks into the beasts. The arrows sank deep into the Jaduuk’s bluish hides that were covered in patches of bristly and ragged fur, and they roared as they fell backward.

The oncoming beasts leaped over their fallen and embraced for the oncoming hit. They rose onto their hind legs and pulled their battle-ax’s as Alisdair and the others neared. Alisdair gripped the hilt of the Honor Blade and listened as the hum it constantly made sounded in his ears. The comfort the blade brought gave him the last bit of nerves he needed, and he let out a war-cry. His army replied with their own and the Jaduuk roared in return.

Alisdair gripped the fire element he controlled and sent a billowing inferno that drenched and consumed the Jaduuk. Malita whipped her hand around her head and let go of a blast of wind-blades. The invisible force thrashed their thick blue hides and sent a spray of rancid blood into the atmosphere. Todan slammed his hands together and a blast of kinetic energy emerged from the earth and shot the beasts across the distance, liquefying their insides as they melted to the ground. Blasts of elements from the warriors careened over the landscape as the three forces united.

Blades slashed, fire billowed, earth opened and swallowed the beasts, and the wind tore through their flesh. Over and over, the Tooatha De Dannon, Lavari, and Bair Tiornecht defeated their attackers, but the day became night and day again and the beasts just kept coming. Alisdair had pushed hard to get as close to the mountain as he could and when he thought they were close enough he signaled to his officers.

They broke away from the battle and made their way toward the entrance of the mountainous hole, Baltair called home. The rancid smell intensified, and they were certain their nose hairs had been singed with its stink. The heat radiated around the jagged black-stone of the immense cavern. An eerie silence gripped their senses and they slowly made their way past the gurgling acid as it made its way down the sides of the walkway.

Steam wafted over their heads and large egg-like nodules, the size of twice that of a man, sat on a nest-like structure that was being fed with the heat of lava. They could now tell where the acid was coming from as it dripped off the rough egg.

Is that egg-thing breathing? Todan asked.

It certainly looks like it, Onen said.

This is just gross, Malita said.

Did you think it was going to be pretty, sis? Todan asked.

Malita gave him a sideways glare, and he snickered, then she rolled her eyes, and he snickered again.

He’s close, Alisdair said.

Alisdair held out his hands and Malita and Todan joined him in the center and took hands.

Shido’ah, chada’rrha la tenta no somalla. Shento tere. Anotay re nada’ chento ma’ha vi say na marri she’late. Narata noshari sanate’. Shatyoha marra mevina charlata moha latenta no mevina somella nome tere, Alisdair said in the language of his father.

His voice was raspy and dry from the hours of battle but there was a strength that emerged from within him.

What do you think you are doing? Coming into my home and thinking you can banish me? Baltair boomed.

The crew looked around but didn’t see anyone. Alisdair sent his search magic out and found Baltair’s essence around the corner and sitting on a throne of ebony. Alisdair led the group of soldiers around the next bend, and Malita gasped.

You are displeased with my looks big sister? Baltair asked.

Baltair now resembled the Jaduuk, except his face and head were still more human but his eyes had shifted to look more like the wolves’. His frame was also exceptionally larger than that of his once human frame.

Baltair what have you done to yourself? Malita asked.

I am not Baltair anymore, I am Jaduuk’ai. I have become what I want to be, not what you or big brother here wants me to be, Baltair said through the fangs at the sides of his mouth giving his sounds a soft lisp.

"And what is that, a slave to the Shadow. You’re not free, you can’t do what you want, you have to serve it and do its bidding," Alisdair said.

I thought you would appreciate the sentry I chose. The great orc-wolf-hunters from the shadow realm. Though long thought to be extinct, created to hunt only the heirs of the Tooatha De, during the Crimson Tide crusades. Some improvements have been made, Baltair laughed a throaty gurgling laugh and the irritation of the shadow magic ate at their nerves.

The heat in the cavern intensified and Malita, Todan, and the others wriggled with the discomfort. Alisdair took Malita’s hand, and she joined his voice.

Ano tere nara shay’nto, Baltair lifted his hands and sent a blast of green lightning toward them. Onen blocked the onslaught with the shield of his water magic and the others threw out their shields around them. Mey’ha te ah’mi stay’ la marri. Shayla’tah narata nochar ri somatay te la narrato, they said as they struggled against the force of Baltair’s earth and shadow magic. Todan then brought his magical force to the casting and joined in the spell.

Ma’rray machina ma no ha, notenta ray mevina anoto te tere tay’re nar’rah shento stayna marri. Shayla’tay nochari, somatay te narrato, they managed under the pressure of the shadow magic. Alisdair added his shield to his warriors and closed his eyes. He focused on the light inside him and the powers of the cosmos. The earth magic of his brother Todan, the wind magic of his sister Malita, and his fire and light magic emerged from the emptiness and wrapped around them. Baltair stood and with pure anger and rage began to suck the elements toward him. Alisdair jerked at the force and pulled back holding onto the powers, but Baltair was stronger. Onen put his hand on Alisdair’s shoulder and Alisdair felt the surge of Onen’s life force encompass his frame. He turned to see his life-long friend give up his life’s essence, and he shouted.

The pain of his sacrifice ripped his heart in two and a sudden pain hit the back of his head. Another soldier, and then another until all of his officers touched Alisdair’s shoulders and gave up their life force. Alistair stared in utter shock. Malita put her hand on his shoulder and then Todan. Alisdair’s pain and anguish was overloading his frame, and he struggled with his heartfire’s pain. The wicked laugh of his possessed brother seeped into his mind, and he choked back the huge lump in his throat.

He found it both a relief and a burden that he had asked so much of them, and they lived up to it, all them. To their very last breath.

Do it, Onen whispered as his body faded into dust and disappeared.

Alisdair opened his heart and absorbed their energies. His body shook as it became too much for himself to bear. He arched backward with the force and the ringing in his ears consumed his thoughts.

Tarren menin shelt, la noshari tere mea’aha. Tay nada’ no’halla toma nosh vi say na moha, Alisdair managed.

A power so intense careened across the land with the cosmic forces and radiated every living thing as it pelted the distance and the boom it made as it split the atmosphere in half deafened the land. Baltair screeched as his powers were ripped from his body. Rancid blood oozed from his skin and his eyes went black. Alisdair took out the time tablet and read the last of the incantation.

Kina nara sto’mae’ah’ha potenta nome ha’la’tay, Alisdair said.

An enormous pillar of cosmic light shot from the blackened sky and Alisdair gritted his teeth with the anticipation. Pain ate at every corner of Alisdair’s body as the conduit from the universe shot through him and into the ground below his now floating body. A wall of blackness erupted from the ground around the cavern and encompassed Baltair. His shrieks of agony and rage thundered across the sky and into the universe and then disappeared behind the tomb of magic. Alisdair’s body sagged with the extreme weight of what had just happened, and he drifted to the ground. The pain eased but his limbs were numb, and his lungs were still on fire. Blackness encompassed the cavern, and he couldn’t see anything. He laid on the warm stone for what seemed like hours until he regained the function of his body. He managed to find the path. A dim light lifted the darkness at the end of the tunnel, and he made his way to the exit.

Tears escaped without his consent as he beheld his lost and broken world. Bodies of his people mixed with the beasts plastered the landscape, and he fell to his knees and sobbed.

1-He Still Has A Pulse

The starry sky-like atmosphere of the time shift was becoming more comfortable and Shaz was starting to like the tingle it left on his skin. The misty fuzz that signaled the end of the portal came into view and Shaz stuck his hand through the shimmer. Shaz stepped to the other side and braced for the sudden shift in motion as he came to a stop. Shaz took a quick inventory of the portal room as he stepped through the last bit of the energy field. The dimness decreased as the lights in the ceiling lit and Shaz stepped out of the way as Serin came through. The eagerness to return to the castle eased from his chest, and he breathed in a sigh of comfort. Riddick and Amirra stepped through and then the Minca and Jag. The tingle of energy faded as they moved away and Shaz put his hand on the runes along the side of the portal and read the glyphs that illuminated.

Don’t be too long, Serin said.

Aye, Shaz said.

Serin kissed him and took his satchel and followed the others out of the room. He read the marks and pulled the notebook from his lower back. The shadow magic tingled his skin, he was starting to get used to it, and he wondered if that was a good or bad thing. The more he used it the stronger he became, but the stronger it became, and it was a constant tug at his emotions to keep his own thoughts from the shadows.

He flipped through the pages and stopped on the one he had made note of. There were several marks that he hadn’t seen before, but they resembled the marks on the walls around the portals, so he wanted to compare them and see if he could figure it out. The notebook on Gavin Rhill he had found in Isot’s lair, had Gavin’s personal notes on his finding of the script that evoked the opening of the underworld, but it wasn’t complete and Shaz couldn’t make out some of the marks because of the wear over the rotations. Shaz closed his eyes and tried to think of what the meanings were but nothing came.

Shaz tried to stay focused on the notebook but a twinge at the side of his eye kept pricking his awareness. He shut the book and stuck it on the shelf inside the secret book-box and started toward the door. A heavy thud hit his core as he passed the portal that had been active for quite a while. Shaz stopped and peered into the disturbed energy. There was a faint image of a person on the other side and Shaz’s heart thudded, but he took a step closer. Shaz felt the draw of the portal entice his understanding, and he tried to pull away, but the person on the other side came into view. The thud in his chest ripped open a sense of panic and pain he wasn’t ready for, and he gasped.

Shaz crossed the last few lengths and ripped open the shimmering mist. Motavo’s battered and bleeding body fell through the opening and Shaz caught him as he went down. Motavo’s lifeless frame was cold and rigid and Shaz checked for a pulse. To his surprise, there was still a slight beating in his chest and Shaz rested him onto the floor.

Serin! Shaz yelled.

Serin’s heart leaped from her chest as the sudden sensation of dread, and the prick at her mind hit her with intensity. Serin grabbed the handrail of the staircase tightly to keep from falling. She sucked in a deep breath and Shaz’s cry pummeled her ears. A burst of adrenaline spiked, and she raced back toward the portal room.

Motavo, can you hear me? What happened? Shaz asked with panic in his tone.

Riddick! Serin yelled at the top of her lungs.

Riddick dropped is pack and shot out of his bedchamber and down the stairs nearly flying over them. He rounded the large lobby-like entrance tightly and raced down the hallway. Amirra and the Minca ran from their rooms and followed. Serin peeled around the corner into the portal room and sudden tears released as she internalized Motavo’s body lying in Shaz’s arms.

What happened? Serin cried.

I don’t know, he was standing in the portal and I barely saw him, and he just fell out when I opened it, Shaz said.

Serin raced across the vast room and ripped open Motavo’s shirt. His skin was cold, and her heart thumped harder. She put her hand on his chest, closed her eyes, and sent her magic into his body. Riddick rounded the corner and cleared the room in a few long strides and stopped next to Serin. The blue hues encompassed Motavo’s frame and her eyes shifted under her eyelids as she interpreted the information she was receiving.

What happened? Riddick asked.

I don’t know, Shaz said.

Is he, Riddick started.

Shaz shook his head.

He still has a pulse, Shaz said.

Amirra and the Minca peeled into the room followed by Jagwynn. Riddick motioned for them to stop and not say anything.

He’s alive, but there is a toxin of some kind that has paralyzed his body, Serin said.

Can you reverse the toxin? Shaz asked.

Serin called her healing magic from her core and sent the blue mist into his body again. The energy rolled around his frame but didn’t sink in like it usually did and Serin scowled. She tried again but the magic drifted off his being and a surge of angry panic raced to her to brain. The portal wiggled again, and Riddick stepped toward it.

Shaz, is that what it looks like? Riddick asked.

Shaz turned to see the portal was wiggling and his heartfire raced. Amirra hurried to where Shaz was and took his place holding Motavo’s head. Shaz stepped next to Riddick and peered into the mist. The large frame of a man came into view and Shaz recognized it to be Asher.

Aye, that’s Asher, Shaz said.

Serin looked up and around his legs and tried to see into the portal, but nothing stood out.

Is he? Riddick asked.

Aye, Shaz said.

What is it? Serin demanded.

Serin pulled the new hydro-light magic and sent a boost into Motavo’s frame which sank into his body and his rigid frame softened, but he still didn’t move. Serin did it again and his frame relaxed a little more.

Serin, Motavo barely managed.

His mouth hardly moved at all and his voice was raspy and weak.

I’m here Yappa, what happened, Serin asked.

Asher, Motavo said.

Serin turned to find Shaz had a struggled scrunch on his brows.

What is it? Serin asked.

Asher is in trouble and needs our help, Shaz said.

Go! Serin said.

Shaz drew his blade as he leaped into the portal and Riddick and the Minca were close behind.

What is happening? Amirra asked.

He has been poisoned with some kind of toxin and it’s not responding to my magic, I don’t know what to do, Serin said.

Tears flowed off her cheeks, and she tried to wipe them with her shoulder. She didn’t dare take her hands off his body as she didn’t know what would happen.

Is there a book or anything I can find, Amirra asked.

Find Inelius, Serin said.

Amirra nodded, but as she was about to stand up, she found his old frame coming around the doorway.

Oh good, we need your help, Amirra said.

Serin turned to see Inelius making his way as quickly as his old frame would let him.

Oh goodness, what happened? Inelius asked.

He has been poisoned with some kind of toxin that is not responding to my magic, Serin said.

****************************

The tingle on Shaz’s skin turned to pulsating irritation as the dread of what could be on the other side of the portal ripped through his being. The time-shift movement added to his worry and the stars that whizzed by gave him a seasick feeling he didn’t usually have. Shaz raced toward Asher, but a nagging sensation pummeled his attention, and he ducked in time to avoid a surge of a white gooey substance. Shaz threw up his shield and turned to find a tremendous spider with long skinny pincers. The eight-legged critters’ black shiny eyes, all six of them, penetrated Shaz’s energy and he shivered.

Riddick through up your shield, Shaz called.

Riddick shielded himself and Turkill and Ladtwig hid behind it. Shaz allowed his shield to encompass his whole frame and slashed the long square-like pincers. The blade slid through the insect’s tentacle easily and it reared back and screeched as its gooey blood oozed from the wound.

Get Asher out of here, Shaz called.

Riddick rounded Shaz and moved toward Asher’s stiff form. Shaz parried and tried to look around to see where the spider was. A pit in his stomach anchored itself deep as he found numberless more coming from what looked like a hole in the starry sky. Shaz sent a torrent of flames and squelched the insects. Riddick tried to move Asher’s large frame but found it harder than he expected. He rubbed his hands together and called the earth element and sent a pulsing wave that encompassed his frame and Riddick instructed it to carry him back through the portal. The magic obeyed and Riddick quickly pushed Asher’s floating body back toward the opening.

Turkill gripped his dart gun between his teeth and shot a rapid-fire toward a spider that was coming from the other side. The spider squealed and fell onto its belly and jerked and writhed and then hissed and faded into the blackness. Ladtwig scurried in front of Asher and gripped the portal’s fabric like exit and held it open.

****************************

Oh dear, there is a book, in the library, but I fear it will take me so long to find it, Inelius said.

Send your magic search spell and Amirra will follow it, Serin said.

Inelius looked a little surprised but smiled with the remembrance of his magic search spell. Inelius snapped his fingers and a red sparkle emerged into existence.

Take Miss Amirra here, to the book on toxins, Inelius said.

The magic started across the room and Amirra stood and hurried after the sparkles. Amirra was soon running down the hall to catch up to the magic and barreled into the library. The sparkles hovered for a minute as though it was taking an inventory of the materials and then shot into the upper levels. Amirra cursed and ran to the rounded staircase and examined each of the isles until she found the glitters pointing to a book. Amirra heaved the heavy book off the shelf and started back to the portal.

Amirra set the book down and Inelius started combing through the pages but his shaky hands couldn’t keep a good grip and was getting frustrated.

I’m sorry, I’m just not fast anymore, Inelius said.

Serin looked up and found frustration and panic all over his frame. Serin breathed in a slow and steady breath and tried to picture what she needed. A soft breeze picked up the pages and sifted through them. The pages settled and rested peacefully and Inelius smiled and started to scan the page. He pointed to the text he was looking for and showed Amirra.

Alright, it says, that there are over eight hundred types of toxins, two hundred of which can cause paralysis, Amirra said.

How am I going to figure all that out? Serin asked.

I seem to remember Helios being quite good at all this sort of stuff, Inelius said.

You’re going to have to go get Helios, Serin said.

Alright, how do I do that? Amirra asked.

That’s the portal there, Serin said.

Serin pointed to the portal that took her and Shaz to the witches cave and gave a little shudder with the memory. Amirra’s heart started to race.

Am I going to be alright? Amirra asked.

Yes, Helios has secured it and it should take you straight to the fortress, Serin closed her eyes and tried to remember how to give her directions but Amirra could tell she was having a hard time.

Don’t’ worry, I’ll figure it out, Amirra said.

Amirra hurried to the portal and made sure she still had her piece of the time tablet and stepped into the misty energy field.

****************************

Shaz started toward the trove of arachnids and had a hard time not cringing. He didn’t realize until now that he really didn’t care for spiders and especially ones that came up to his knees. He let the blade carry itself with ease and sliced through the middle of its head and then moved quickly to the next spider and Turkill sent another blast.

Get out of here, Shaz said.

No way, not without you, Turkill grunted through the bamboo shoot between his teeth.

He let go of another blast and rolled his head letting a series of multiple darts fly, each hitting several of the spiders. Shaz parried and blocked the arm-like pincer and rolled his wrist, pulling the blade up through it and then down taking off both the pincers of the spider on the other side of him. Shaz checked to find Riddick had already made it out and threw out a blast of fire and waved it over the oncoming spiders. They pulled back and screeched. Shaz’s nerves twinged at the sound, and he shivered.

Tarren shelt la noshari tere menin mea’aha Tay nada’ no’halla toma nosh vi say na moha, Shaz said.

The hole in the time shift’s fabric sealed shut and Shaz wondered if that was part of the underground. Riddick set Asher on the floor next to Serin, and she put her hand on him. She sent a boost of her light magic, but it barely did any good. Shaz came through the portal and sheathed his sword and found a frantic Serin. He knelt in front of her and sent a boost of his magic into her core and put a hand on each of hers that was resting on their bodies and focused on giving his magic to her.

Serin’s body absorbed the energy, her breathing steadied, and she became still as she sorted out her thoughts. The new mix of energy eased into Motavo and Asher and their color started to fade back into their skin. Motavo’s eyes blinked, and he sighed into the floor as his body relaxed from the rigid paralysis. Motavo rested his hand on theirs and watched their focus. He had seen it before, but it still amazed him how perfect they were together. Asher blinked and his body eased from the stiffness. Shaz opened his eyes and found Serin full of relief.

Are you alright? Shaz asked.

I think so, Motavo said.

What happened? Serin asked.

Motavo started to sit up and Serin helped him while Shaz and Riddick helped Asher.

Those blasted Ruin Silk Spiders. There seems to be more holes in the underground and the old tunnels are crawling with them, but we didn’t find out until they had started to block us in, Asher said.

Where do they come from? Shaz asked.

They are usually in the Realm of Yinavion, and we haven’t ever seen them in the tunnels, something must be driving them out, Motavo said.

Shaz ran through what he remembered from the books he read on the realms.

I bet I know, Shaz said.

What? Riddick asked.

Jaduuk, that realm is where the Timeless Plains are, Shaz said.

That would make sense, Riddick said.

Let’s get you upstairs, so I can take a proper look at you, Serin said.

Serin cast her air spell on Motavo and Asher and started to help them to the bedchambers. Shaz and Riddick helped, and they made their way up the stairs and into a bed. Their bodies were still very stiff, and they struggled to do anything.

Where is Amirra? Riddick asked.

She’s gone for Helios, Serin said.

Helios, why? Shaz asked.

He is an expert on toxins, and we didn’t know what this was, and she left before you returned, Inelius said.

Shaz, they are still affected, our magic didn’t cure them, it just put off the effects for a time, and the toxin is quite complex, I don’t know if I can figure it out myself, Serin said in her head.

Shaz nodded and motioned for Riddick to follow him, and they hurried back to the portal room.

What is the time difference between the realms? Riddick asked.

Shaz thought about it for a minute.

She should be back anytime now actually, that’s if she found Helios right away, Shaz said.

2-I Suggest You Figure That Out

Amirra shivered as the energy prickled her skin, it was a sensation she didn’t care for and was glad it didn’t last long. The energy field wiggled and a pale-yellow gryphtoness jumped. The gryphtoness hesitated and then took a few steps toward the portal. Amirra hurried to the other side of the tunnel of time and put her hand through the shimmering mist at the end.

The blackness shifted to a warm purple and the gryphtoness’ heart skipped as the small human hand breach the surface. The gryphtoness swallowed hard and took a step back as Amirra’s frame emerged. Amirra blinked a few times adjusting to the bright light around the room.

Amirra jumped and gave a little squawk when she internalized the big bird-eyes of the massive lion-like-eagle-human creature staring at her. She swallowed hard and tried to put on a mix of her stern Velshari face mixed with her regular Amirra face. The surge of adrenaline raced through her body, and she was sure she was going to be sick.

I need to speak with Helios, Amirra said.

And who might you be? the gryphtoness asked.

I’m Amirra, and I’m with Shaz and Serin and I really need to find Helios and fast, who are you? Amirra blurted. The gryphtoness scrunched her face, as much as a beak could and studied her. Please, I really need him and fast, Amirra said.

I am afraid I don’t know where he is at the moment, but Ralti may, let me send for him, the gryphtoness said.

No, you need to take me to him, we have to hurry, Amirra said.

May I ask why? the gryphtoness asked.

Someone has been poisoned and Helios is the only one that can help, now you either take me to him or I will find him myself, Amirra said sharply.

I see, please follow me, the gryphtoness said.

The gryphtoness started out of the magnificent portal room and Amirra suddenly felt very small. Her long strides were hard to keep up with, as Amirra was nearly running. The gryphtoness led her through a series of hallways and corridors and into the ginormous courtyard inside the fortress. Amirra’s heart leaped with both shock and awe as she internalized all the gryphton’s that were both flying and mingling around the courtyard. She tried to keep up with the gryphtoness, but she lost her. The other gryphton’s started to stare at her, and the tingle of embarrassment etched at her cheeks. The gryphtoness returned and grabbed her hand and lowered to the ground.

Here, get on, the gryphtoness said.

Amirra climbed onto her back and tried to find a decent grip but found that the best way was to partially lay between her incredible wings. The gryphtoness maneuvered the crowd and made her way to the main fortress doors.

Halt, who goes there, a gryphton soldier asked.

It’s me Leeta, I must speak to Ralti immediately, Leeta said.

Why? the gryphton asked.

Leeta gripped Amirra’s behind, so she wouldn’t fall off as she stood onto her hind legs.

It is no concern of yours, now let me in so that I can speak to my father, Leeta said sharply.

The gryphton cringed and nodded and pulled the heavy solid-wood doors open. Leeta returned to all fours as they were faster that way and hurried through the Fortress halls. She skidded around a corner and barreled into a sizable meeting room coming to her full height.

Father, I have a pressing matter you must see, Leeta blurted.

The gryphton’s around the long table jumped and turned and stared at her. Ralti blushed and started toward Leeta with a surprised but stern look. Leeta let Amirra off her back, and she came around in front of Leeta. The room gasped. Half of the gryphtons stood quickly with instant concern on their brows.

A pretty one, the big bulky gryphton said.

Amirra’s heart raced, and she almost felt like she was about to become the afternoon snack. She swallowed hard and took a few steps toward them.

Where is Helios, I need Helios, Amirra said.

He is not here, may I ask who you are and what is going on? the fire-red gryphton at the end of the table asked in a kind voice.

I’m Amirra, and Serin’s grandfather and uncle have been poisoned with a toxin that won’t respond to her magic and they’re at Shaz’s castle and if I don’t find Helios, because he is the expert on toxins, then they’ll die, and I have no idea how much time has already passed and if they’re already dead, or if they ‘re going to be permanently paralyzed or, Amirra blurted.

Where is Helios, the red gryphton asked.

He’s at the academy sir, Ralti said.

Who is our fastest and strongest flyer, the red gryphton asked.

Phanes is, but Azrack, he’s under watch, Ralti said.

Remind me why? Azrack asked.

He has, um, well, Ralti stammered.

Leeta blushed and slunk onto her haunches. Azrack nodded, and understood it was a personal matter and wondered how long the cubs had been having their secret relationship and tried to keep the tiny grin from the corner of his beaked lips.

"I suggest you figure that out and fast, he will be the one to fetch Helios," Azrack said.

Yes sir, Ralti said.

Ralti left the room with Leeta and Amirra heard him bark orders to another soldier and then returned. Amirra wrung her hands together nervously and Azrack motioned for her to come toward him.

This is Brigdon, Jaxton, Pontos and Ralti, and these are new to our command, Shar, and Cluck. Please, tell us everything, Azrack said.

It’s a pleasure to meet you all, I have heard so many stories, I mean not stories, events, things that actually happened, I didn’t mean, Amirra stammered.

The gryphton’s chuckled and Amirra’s face scrunched with uneasy fear.

You don’t have to be afraid, you are welcome here, but without Helios, I’m afraid I don’t remember what to offer you, Azrack said.

Thank you, but I’m fine, I’m just supper nervous for Serin right now, Amirra said.

Tell us what happened, Azrack said.

Oh, goodness where to start, well I suppose, after Shaz and Serin left here, they made their way to the crystal catacombs in the Minca realm where they were bonded by Synmagic, dealt with spitting hot earth that melted everything it touched, saved the Minca people, found the earth sage, found the Runecaster, Amirra held up her hand, "fought a war against the Jaduuk, battled a fire demon and got the sheath, closed the torn rip in the fabric of time, got engaged, stopped a hundred-rotation flood, battled your shadow Selket, met the Ukari and gave them back their voice to the moons, traveled to Ebassia and battled more Jaduuk, evaded an army, freed his family from the dungeons of Ebassia, absorbed the Binding of the Crypt spell, stopped a necromancer who was about to murder thousands of people, umm what else, oh yeah, Serin’s grandfather is a Teorran Traveler, the secret, secret group of the Dodjen, and has been in charge of moving the Sev-Rin-Ac-Lavah around through the realms and was going to be traveling through the underground, which is the secret, secret portals of the portals but there is trouble there too, and he was poisoned with some kind of toxin that paralyzed him and Serin’s magic couldn’t reverse the effects so Inelius sent me here to find Helios," Amirra said as she inhaled a deep breath.

The new gryphton’s stared at her with curious skepticism, and Azrack nodded with a tight beak.

Sounds like Shaz and Serin alright, they sure know how to make a stir in the world don’t they, Pontos said.

Brigdon grunted and Jaxton nodded and rubbed his chin and Shar and Cluck looked around at everyone to determine how serious they all were and finding the matter to be of concern they turned to eager curiosity.

What does ‘engaged’ mean? Shar asked.

Oh, that means they are going to get married, after Shaz sacrifices himself of course, Amirra said.

Won’t that be kind of hard to do? Jaxton asked.

Yeah, that’s a bit of a concern for them, so I hope we can figure things out first, I think they would make some really cute war wizard babies, Amirra said.

Amirra blushed as she realized what she had said.

Sir, Phanes said as he came around the corner and saluted. Ralti stood quickly and Azrack rose and saluted.

You must fly to the academy and fetch Helios, give him these exact words, ‘I’m not here for an afternoon of tea’, Ralti said.

Phanes lifted one eyebrow and Azrack blurted a hearty ga-fa, Pontos and Jaxton snickered and Brigdon chuckled. Ralti tried to keep the humor from overcoming his face and Phanes’ heart thudded.

Sir, Phanes said in a salute.

Azrack controlled himself and cleared his throat.

Tell him he needs to bring his can of whoop-ass too, Jaxton said.

Ralti couldn’t help it and blurted a ga-fa and Shar and Cluck were dumb-struck at their high-commanders acting like this. Amirra watched them all and could now see what Shaz and Serin had described them to be and smiled. Phanes wasn’t sure what to do and tried to remain serious.

Dismissed, Ralti managed.

Phanes ended his salute and spun on his paw and hurried from the room. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but he made his way quickly toward the fortress doors.

Ssspp, Leeta said.

Phanes stopped and scooted backward and looked down the dark corridor he had just passed. Leeta waved him to come to her, and he turned the corner.

You’re going to get me in trouble, I am already being scrutinized by your father, Phanes said.

Leeta looked into his soft gray eyes and smiled. He was handsome, and she liked how serious and grown-up he tried to be. They had been close since they were cubs but Ralti had only recently found out about their growing intensions.

I just wanted to tell you good luck, Leeta said.

On what, completing this task or not getting pummeled by your father? Phanes asked.

I guess both, Leeta said.

Phanes smiled and gripped her paw and gave it a squeeze.

I’ll be back soon, and I’ll meet you at our spot, Phanes said.

Phanes hurried back out of the hallway and left the fortress. He ran on all fours to the ledge at the far side of the courtyard and shoved off with his hind legs and propelled his body into the air. He threw out his wings and caught the updraft that came from the shear drop off of the cliffs. The bright mid-day sun reflected off his ice-blue feathers as he banked toward the east.

Jaxton rose from his chair and offered it to Amirra who smiled and tried to figure out how she was going to climb onto the large chair.

What I want to know is what you mean by ‘your shadow Selket’, Ralti asked.

Brigdon grunted. Jaxton helped Amirra onto the chair, and she found herself feeling like when she was a child and the grown-ups table and tried to keep her focus.

Well, that orb, the one that Shaz got from you, turned out to be a Shadow Selket. A Selket warrior that was transformed into a servitor of the sorcerer Rhoefeus, well it got loose in the castle portal room, and we had to fight it and put it back into the orb, Shaz never takes it off now, turns out a little Gray Tailix was under the instruction of the Velshari to find all the shiny’s from the castle, and he accidentally let it loose, Amirra said.

Not that thing again! Brigdon grunted.

Everyone grimaced.

Oh, don’t worry, Shaz won’t let it out of his sight ever again, Amirra said.

Shiny’s? Shar asked.

Yeah, you know things that are shiny, like gems, jewels, or gold and silver, stuff like that, he really likes shiny things too, Amirra said.

Oh, Shar said with raised brows.

Shar still wasn’t sure what to think of all of it.

Tell us about the underground and the portals, Azrack said.

Amirra recounted the details and explained the Velshari and the dealings with Isot and filled them in on the rest of the details of the time in the Minca realm and Semias and her being the Runecaster and Nitida and the Sev-Rin-Ac-Lavah and everything she could think of. Azrack was aware of the Velshari. After Shaz and Serin left, Helios spent a great deal of time getting them caught up on the events of the world, but they were still dealing with the Kronos. Even after defeating Kronos himself and Groargoth, the hordes of the Kronos were determined even more to take their revenge. And being that Helios had returned to the academy to help there, Azrack hadn’t been filled in on the latest details.

I’m sorry to ask, but how long will it take for them to return? Amirra asked.

I would think it won’t be long now, Ralti said.

Amirra yawned and her stomach grumbled.

What can we get for you? Azrack asked.

I like bread, Amirra said.

Bread we can do, Pontos said.

Pontos hurried from the room and returned a few minutes later with the biggest loaf of bread Amirra had ever seen.

Azrack, I’m concerned about this underground, what does that mean for our portal? Ralti asked.

As am I, when Helios arrives, we’ll make sure we ask him, Azrack said.

********************************************

Phanes pulled in deep steady breaths as he pushed his wings through the strong winds. The academy was shielded with a barrier of clouds that had been enchanted to keep the academy hidden and only those who had permissions could enter, but only after they proved themselves by being able to press through them. He gripped the wind with his wings and thrust them close to his body to narrow the resistance and then pushed again. Phanes broke through the last bit of resistance and soared into the cold sky above. He threw out his wings to snag the air and bent at the waist and leveled out. He flew over the smaller building on the edge and toward the center.

He had never been to the academy before and wasn’t sure where he was supposed to go. Phanes rounded the next building and found a few gryphtons walking along a stone pathway. He dipped toward them and landed in front of them a few lengths away.

Sorry to trouble you, but I am in need of Helios, where would I find him? Phanes asked.

Phanes lowered his head in a slight bow instead of a salute.

He is in the main building, but he can’t be disturbed right now, one gryphton said pointing to the tallest building. 

Thank you, Phanes said.

Phanes leaped into the air again and made his way to the tallest building on the campus. He landed on the front steps, pulled his wings in tightly and pulled open the door. The academy was nothing like the fortress and Phanes took in the light-colored stone and brightness of the sky-lights that were strategically placed around the building.

May I help you, a sun-yellow gryphton asked.

I must speak to Helios right away, Phanes said.

May I ask for what reason? the old gryphton asked.

My message is for Helios, Sir, Phanes said.

I am sorry to say, but he is unavailable right now, the old gryphton said.

I must speak with him immediately, Phanes said.

You will have to come back tomorrow, the gryphton said.

Is that the message you would like me to give Azrack the King, Sir? Phanes asked.

The old gryphton’s brows raised.

Azrack you say? the gryphton said.

Phanes wasn’t sure what to say, of course that’s what he said.

Where can I find him? Sir, Phanes said.

The old gryphton pointed to a set of doors and Phanes made his way around several lounge chairs. He threw the doors open and a classroom full of gryphtons jumped. Helios looked up from his book and peered at Phanes.

Helios Sir, I have an urgent message, Phanes said.

Helios set his book down.

Go on, Helios said.

I am not here for an afternoon of tea and you need to bring your can of whoop-ass, Sir, Phanes said.

The classroom broke into a roar of laughter, but Helios’ brows tightened, and he took off his instructors cloak and hurried out of the room. The class hushed as the military training in their instructor overcame his frame. Phanes followed Helios out of the room and closed the doors.

You’re Grace, it would seem that there is an urgent matter I have to attend to, Helios said.

What is it? Mazark asked.

Phanes’ face drained of color when he learned who the old gryphton was.

The War Wizard, Helios said.

Mazark nodded and Helios turned to Phanes.

What else did they say? Helios asked.

Helios started toward the doors and Phanes followed him.

Something about a toxin and humans, Phanes said.

Let me fetch my things, I will be right back, Helios said.

Helios leaped into the air and banked around the building and a few minutes later Phanes met him in the sky, and they flew back to the fortress.

Azrack, Ralti, Jaxton, Brigdon, and Cluck stood near the edge and Amirra sat on a