Time and Time Again

By Rebecca Jose

Gatu is ordered to track and find the original tracker, so he must join Romulas on a journey to a land that has been closed off from the Nether, a place called the Wild Nether. It is dangerous and unknown, and Gatu finds himself caught in a world of scandals, lies, and deception. Dangerous beasts roam the land, complicating the mission. To make matters worse, the leader of the universe (Xavia) has appointed Gatu a new guardian. Sapphire is a strange soul, and Gatu finds it difficult to trust him. However, Gatu must learn to trust him if he is to traverse the land that the natives call Draumavier. Can Gatu complete his mission to find the original tracker in time to save the universe from certain destruction?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rebecca Jose
• Release date: May 24, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005919450

Rebecca Jose

Rebecca Jose enjoys a simple life with her family in Kentucky.  She has enjoyed writing since she was young, and is working on a full-time career as a writer.  Her legacy as a writer of fiction is something she would like to leave to her children, grandchildren, and all of her family and friends who supported her through her entire career.

Book preview

TIME AND TIME AGAIN

The Nether Souls Series Book Two

BY: REBECCA JOSE

OTHER BOOKS IN THE NETHER SOULS SERIES

CREATORS OF THE GALAXY_________BOOK ONE

TIME AND TIME AGAIN______________BOOK TWO

OTHER BOOKS BY REBECCA JOSE:

For the Love of Dawn (book one of the Prodigium Mortem series)

Witchball --- COMING SOON

Force of the Immortals – COMING SOON

FREE DOWNLOAD!

https://mymeshara.wixsite.com/nethersouls/landing-page

cOPYRIGHT © rEBECCA JOSE.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS BOOK MAY BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE PUBLISHER, except for small quotes from reviewers.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, creatures, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Thank you to all my fans and friends who supported me throughout my first journey and first book. I hope that everyone likes this book just as much as the first one.

I want to thank my mom for sitting by my side for long hours, just sitting silently and letting me write. Your comforting presence was all the inspiration I needed.

HAPPY READING!

special thanks to my aunt patricia who was always my inspiration, even though she did not know it. you pushed me to shoot for the stars and do what i love even when things seemed impossible….

just because something is broken does not mean it is not useful…

i will always remember that and live by it. i love you xoxo

Contents

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SNEAK PEEK OF WITCHBALL

CHAPTER 1

I stepped out of the portal into the city of Vertrock, the light city of the Milky Way galaxy. I had miscalculated my landing, I realized as I looked around at the busy sidewalk.

Souls of the Nether were everywhere, walking rapidly this way and that, and cars buzzed past me on the street. I thanked the universe that I had not landed in the street.

I looked up the hill to the mansion where I had intended to land, and realized it would be a long walk to my destination. I sighed heavily and ran a hand through my jet-black hair.

I could fly there if I wanted since I had learned to perfect my flying abilities, but I did not want to attract any unwanted attention to myself. I still did not feel safe from those souls who would want to use me to strengthen their own positions, so I felt a low profile would be best.

Saphrina almost bumped into me as she stepped out of the portal behind me. She was trying to keep a low profile as well for the same reasons. Pimedus (the leader of Nochetawah) had kept her a secret from everyone for a long time. I had not even known she existed.

She had been my twin sister in our first life. At the moment of my creation, I had unintentionally created her. I had not been in control of myself at the time, and I did not know what I was doing. I had given her most of my dark energy and absorbed a large amount of light energy. For this reason, when we passed from our Earth lives we were separated. My life force went to Zendawiss, the light city of Earth, and she went to Nochetawah, the dark city of Earth.

When I had finally been able to go to Nochetawah and learned that she was my daughter, she had been far more advanced at controlling her powers than I had been. Pimedus had trained her well, and I had had virtually no training. Everything I had learned thus far had been from my own experiences and mess-ups.

Nonetheless, I had recently surpassed her in power, but Saphrina was almost as powerful as I was and possessed many of the same abilities.

Save for one.

I was the tracker.

That was the reason we were here in the first place. Romulas, the leader of Vertrock and the leader of the whole galaxy, had requested my presence. Saphrina had agreed to accompany me, mainly because Bellesa (my girlfriend and current leader of Zendawiss) and Pimedus did not want me to come alone.

Are you gonna stand there all day or are we going to the mansion? Saphrina’s feisty voice drew me away from my thoughts as I looked dreadfully up the hill. She was looking at me questioningly with her pink, green, and red tri-colored eyes shining in the bright sunlight.

I was trying to decide if I wanted to fly or not. That’s an awful long walk, I answered sighing heavily. My dark brown eyes looked dreadfully up the long incline, and I ran a hand down my square chin to smooth my goatee.

Don’t you dare fly! You know we have to keep a low profile! Saphrina scolded pointing a finger at me. Her purple ponytail swung with every movement of her head, and her grayish blue skin shimmered with the movements.

I know that. Maybe I can hide us, though. I really don’t want to walk up that hill. I nodded my head towards the distant mansion to emphasize my words.

Saphrina followed my gaze and her shoulders dropped as she stared up the long hill. She took a deep breath and said, Maybe you are right. We are not really dressed to hike up that hill.

I looked down at her shiny, black three inch heels and nodded my head in agreement. The heels accentuated her calves wonderfully. The hem of her white cotton dress came just above her knees, and the black lace cardigan made the blue color of her skin look darker than it really was.

Well, come on, then, I said. Hop on my back and I’ll hide us and fly us up there.

I offered a helping hand to her, but she shook her head and backed away as she responded, Hell no. Bellesa will kill me if I wrinkle that suit after she spent a whole day with the weavers that created it.

I chuckled aloud. Saphrina was probably right. Bellesa wanted me to look nice for this meeting. She thought it important to make a good first impression. Traditional black and white suits were not good enough for Bellesa. She had spent a whole day working with the weavers to create the perfect off-white cream color for the shirt, since this color emphasized my light gray skin. She had insisted on a dark gray color for the suit since this color seemed to bring out the darkness of my chocolate brown eyes. She picked red for the tie because she said it made my black hair seem even blacker, and because red was a power color.

Overall, it was a nice looking suit, but I was more of a jeans and t-shirt guy. I had to admit I did look nice in a suit, especially this suit that had been created by Bellesa’s personal weavers. The lines of the suit accentuated the athletic lines of my body, and it made my butt look delectable, according to Bellesa.

I agree, Saphrina. I don’t want to ruin the suit, either. However, I doubt that one short ride up the hill will do much damage.

She stared doubtfully at my extended hand for a moment before offering me her hand. With my help, she hopped on my back and I called my power and wrapped darkness around us, hiding us from sight. Anyone that glanced upon the ball of darkness would simply see an unimportant shadow cast by the sunlight, or simply nothing at all. I called the wind and it answered my summons, wrapping itself around me lovingly and lifting Saphrina and me up and into the air.

The wind whipped at my hair and caressed my face as we flew through the sky toward the mansion. I could hear Saphrina taking in a large breath of air and sighing happily, as she clung to my neck. She loved flying with me and would often ask me to take her flying when she visited me in Zendawiss. Her favorite flying times were when I took her and Bellesa together; her on one hip and Bellesa on the other. We would fly over the whole city, and then land on the beach and spend the day lying in the sun and playing in the water.

When we got close to the gates of the mansion, I descended and landed gently on the ground as Saphrina hopped hurriedly off my back. She ran her hands down the back of my suit to check for wrinkles as I shed the cloak of darkness from around us. We walked visible up the driveway to the mansion, and the guard gave us a piercing look as we stopped in front of the grandiose metal gate.

What business do you have here? He asked in a commanding tone.

My name is Gatu. I have been summoned by Romulas. This is Saphrina, my daughter and guest. The guard looked us up and down suspiciously, and then collected a video phone from one of the many pockets on his uniform. He turned and walked away a few steps and spoke in a whisper to the other person on the phone. After a few moments, he turned and walked back to us with a more welcoming expression on his face.

Welcome, Gatu, the hunter of the wicked, and the one who remembers all. Welcome, Saphrina, mystery apprentice of Pimedus. Romulas will welcome you both in the front hall of the mansion. He turned and signaled to the other guard stationed in the guard shack. The other guard pushed a button, and the large gates slowly began to open.

I stood flummoxed for a moment. How did Romulas know who Saphrina was? In addition, I had apparently earned a new title to my name. No one had addressed me like this until now, so it was quite a surprise to hear it.

When the gates opened, Saphrina and I entered and walked slowly toward the front doors of Romulas’s massive home. As we walked, my mind wondered on the events that had brought us to this place.

I had loved my life in Zendawiss until Drysu, the former leader of Nahastu (the dark city of Jupiter), had come into my life. Khanya, the former light leader of my city Zendawiss, had invited him to investigate a solution to a problem we were facing. Well, to investigate me, since I was the problem.

No one had known why I was developing extra powers that had not been given to me, or why I could remember who I really was when I lived a human life on Earth. Souls usually could not remember their past lives while on earth, and they were not aware that they were a soul in a human body.

But, I did. I had even used my powers unintentionally while on Earth, and for these reasons, there were many that wanted to use me to strengthen their own positions, including Drysu.

He had tried to kidnap me using Bellesa as bait, caused Khanya to be possessed by another life force and eventually killed, and tried to kill Pimedus and me. I used my newly discovered tracking power to track down Drysu and bring him to justice. I used my powers of creation to create a new soul, and we revived Khanya's memories by placing her life force into the new soul, Syrin, who now lives in my home in Zendawiss.

I did all this by using powers that I did not even know I had until I had to use them. I learned how to use them and control them on my own while all these events took place.

After these events, news about me spread fast throughout the entire galaxy, despite Oracle’s (the light leader of our solar system and Sun City) attempts at trying to keep the whole thing quiet. There has only been one tracker in our galaxy’s history, so it was difficult to keep that quiet. When Romulas found out about me, he sent his own personal scout to my home in Zendawiss to extend an invitation to visit Vertrock, but we all knew this was more of a command.

Therefore, here I am in Vertrock to see Romulas, the leader of the Milky Way galaxy, the creator of the original tracker, and one of the first souls ever created in the universe. It was very intimidating, especially since the scout did not give a reason for the invitation, so we were left to guess as to why he wanted to see me.

For Bellesa, it was obvious that Romulas wanted me for himself since the original Tracker had been his soul. I was not too sure about this, however. I wanted to be optimistic about the whole situation, especially since that fluttering in my stomach had gotten worse since we had arrived at the doors of the mansion.

This was my power center, the swirling, fluttering energy coiled in the center of my body, which always roiled around inside me when my power wanted to be set free. I had learned to control it somewhat during the events of the past, but there were still hidden powers inside me. I knew, because I could feel it. I had yet to find out just how powerful I was or would become.

So, Saphrina’s overly cheerful voice cut into my thoughts. Should we knock or just go right in?

I could tell she was being overly cheerful because she was just as worried as everyone else as to why we were here. I just smiled as I responded in a sarcastic tone, It would be rude to just barge in. Honestly, have you no manners at all?

Hmph, she said as struck an offensive pose. I wouldn’t talk about not having manners if I were you.

I shook my head and rolled my eyes at her as I knocked on the door. I waited a few moments and was about to knock again when the door creaked loudly and slowly began to open.

Gatu! How nice of you to finally come to see me! His voice was perky and upbeat, which matched his appearance, and I stood in stunned silence as I looked upon Romulas for the first time.

He was definitely not what I was expecting, with his blood red Mohawk with a single braid down the side. His cornflower blue skin showed no traces of wrinkles at all, making him seem more youthful than thousands of years old. The red color of his eyes matched his hair, and they shone with a wisdom that belied the youthful look of his face.

He wore cargo shorts, a button up casual shirt, and combat boots on a tall thin frame. He had an oval-shaped slender face with a medium nose and thin lips. He was smiling at me with his hand extended in greeting, and I felt an elbow in my ribs at my hesitation.

Oof, I exclaimed as I extended my hand! N…n…nice to meet you, Romulas, leader of the Milky Way galaxy, I stuttered as I shook Romulas’s hand and rubbed my ribs with my free hand.

Romulas ended the handshake with me and reached out to Saphrina as he said, Saphrina, the mystery apprentice. I was wondering when Pimedus would let you out of hiding.

Saphrina shook his hand firmly as she replied, I didn’t mind being hidden. It was for my own protection after all.

Romulas smiled brightly as he ended the handshake. Of course it was! It’s too bad Khanya was not as careful with Gatu.

I felt a small stirring of anger as the power swirled in my gut. Speaking ill of Khanya was a trigger for my anger these days, especially since I felt responsible for her death.

It had been an accident. During our duel with Drysu, I had aimed a light attack his way. Khanya, having had her body taken over by the life force of Drysu’s creator, had jumped in the way and taken the attack. It had killed her body, and the life force of Alibastor (Drysu’s creator) had drifted back into the universe as Khanya's body had died.

Thank goodness, Khanya's life force had been trapped inside Soul Keeper (the name of Saphrina’s cane/knife) else, Khanya would have been lost to us forever. When we had lightly cut Syrin's arm with the knife right after I created her, the energy from Khanya's life force entered Syrin’s body; therefore giving Syrin Khanya's memories.

After having confiscated the knife from Drysu through me, Saphrina kept it hidden for fear of it falling into the wrong hands again. Drysu had made a mess of things, and Saphrina did not want past mistakes repeated. She would not tell anyone of its hiding place, not even me.

Once again, I felt the sharp stab of Saphrina’s elbow in my ribs as I realized that Romulas had said something to me. I quickly wiped the anger from my features as I turned my attention his way.

I’m sorry, Romulas. My mind must have wandered for a moment. What were you saying?

Romulas had a strange look on his face as he repeated, I said I am sorry, Gatu, if I offended you at my mention of Khanya. I did not think before I spoke.

He paused as he looked at me with an odd look. I took a deep breath and gathered myself before answering, Apology accepted. I don’t mean to get so offensive at the mention of her name. She did the best she could by me, and some of the rumors going around are not true. She did not turn evil or try to use me.

I knew that this had been the rumors going around about Khanya. It was true that she did not turn evil. It had all been Drysu’s fault. Well, Drysu’s and Alibastor’s.

Khanya had no idea that Drysu had become so evil, nor did she know that he had a knife that had his creator’s life force hidden inside. When he had cut Khanya with Soul Keeper during an altercation, Alibastor’s life force had switched itself with Khanya's, so the actions of Khanya after that had not been Khanya at all.

I turned my attention back to Romulas as he opened the door wider and ushered us inside. Nevertheless, Gatu, I apologize. I would like to hear the rest of the story, however, if you would not mind telling it.

He still had that odd look on his face, but he seemed genuinely interested. I assumed that he had been told several different versions, so he probably wanted to determine what was truth and what was not.

I cleared my throat as we went inside and said, Well, I would like to tell you the story sometime, but I am sure you already know most of it. I will say, however, that Khanya was not herself. Her body had been taken over by another life force, and I replaced her life force inside my creation, Syrin, after the death of her body.

I paused to clear my throat, and then continued, Most of what happened was Drysu’s fault, but I am the one who dealt the killing blow. It was an accident, because I was actually aiming for Drysu.

I did not include the story of Soul Keeper, because Saphrina wanted to keep that weapon a secret as long as she could. There were very few souls who even knew of Soul Keeper’s existence, and I was planning to keep it that way.

Romulas, seeming to accept the story, nodded and said, So, you saved Khanya in the end. Do not feel bad for the death of her body. Khanya's memories live because of you. Romulas’s voice was soothing, and it made me feel somewhat better about his earlier statement.

Everything had worked out in the end. Syrin is with Pimedus now, and Pimedus could not be happier. Drysu is being held in the prison on Pluto (the dark city of the Solar System) and will be there for a long time. Rhyad, the leader of Pluto, assures us that rehabilitation will probably never happen for Drysu.

Pimedus has been by my side through the whole mess, since he accidently killed his creator as well. Rhyad assures him that Reyes, who now lives inside of Rhyad, holds no ill will toward Pimedus. Pimedus, however, says that he will never forgive himself.

I knew how he felt.

Saphrina was still standing behind me, and, once again, her voice cut into my thoughts as she asked, Why did you ask Gatu to come here, if you don’t mind me asking? You have yet to tell us that.

Let us go into the parlor, sit and have some tea, and I will tell you, Romulas answered cheerfully as he led us through the foyer.

The large foyer was done in cheerful colors of yellow and cornflower blue that matched Romulas’s skin. There were three archways, one on each wall, that lead into hallways. Romulas lead us through the archway to the right and down a large hallway with three shut doors on the left and two large windows on the right.

At the end of the hallway was a set of ornate double doors with delicate gold curved handles. Romulas lead us to those doors, turned both handles, and opened the doors.

Please, enter the parlor and make yourselves at home. I will return with tea and scones shortly. He motioned us into the parlor with a sweep of his hand as he spoke, and then turned and walked back down the hallway.

Saphrina and I walked into the parlor and stood aghast at the wonder of the large open room.

Two entire walls, the right and back, were glass with a stunning view of a meadow that featured beautiful wildflowers of various colors and large oak trees. In the short distance stood a small mountain that featured a waterfall that fell gracefully into a large pond at the bottom of the mountain.

There was a large round table set in the corner of the two glass walls where one could set and see the entire view. There were six chairs set around the table with blue cushions, and a vase of the wildflowers sat in the center of the table.

There was another table setup like this in the center of the room, and against the solid wall to the left sat a large blue sofa with beige cushions placed strategically along its surface. There was a bar on this wall as well with several wooden barstools. Behind the bar were shelves that held various spirits in front of a large mirror.

Wow, Saphrina exclaimed breathlessly gazing out of the glass. Why don’t we have a meadow like that?

I doubt these flowers will grow in the darkness of Nochetawah, but I could probably grow some of them in Zendawiss, I answered.

One of the abilities I had discovered was that I had an affinity for plants. I could make them grow, hear them speak to me, or make them appear right out of the ground when I wanted. The plants had to be cared for and maintained, however, so if I put them in a place where they could not flourish they would eventually die.

It was a rare ability that I shared with Indiah, the leader of Scolacis (the light city of Jupiter). She had come to Zendawiss to help stop Drysu when she had discovered his plans to take over the solar system. Indiah was commissioned by Oracle to guard my life when Drysu and Khanya (who had been taken over by Alibastor) had disappeared and Oracle feared for my safety.

Indiah and I became friends quickly after she found out I had the same affinity for plants as she had. She still visited me in Zendawiss since she still considered herself my guardian, and she had helped me learn to control and develop my power over the plants.

Indiah would love it here, Saphrina whispered, and I wondered if she had been listening in to my thoughts.

Saphrina had been able to read my thoughts since she first came into existence when I had accidently created her. Recently, the ability had grown so strong that she could hear my thoughts even when they were not directed at her, and I could hear hers as well.

I could hear anyone’s thoughts with my tracker abilities, but I had to concentrate to do it. Oracle could do it at will, because it was her natural ability as leader of the Solar System. It did not come naturally for me as it did for Oracle.

Yet…

According to Oracle, I may develop this ability later when my powers have grown more dominant.

I wish Indiah and Bellesa could see this, Saphrina said more loudly.

Yes, Indiah would absolutely love it here, I responded. Bellesa would love the waterfall. I don’t know how I would be able to keep her out of the water. I let out a laugh as I thought about how much Bellesa loved the water.

She had been working on developing her powers over water, and was doing well with her control over the ever-changing element. I was somewhat jealous myself, even though I had not admitted this to her. I had power over air and earth (including the plants), but I loved water almost as much as Bellesa. Bellesa has jokingly told me that if she could breathe underwater that she would live in the water. I am fearful that this ability may yet come true for her.

Fire was another element that was beyond my control. Pimedus could control fire, but I had obviously not inherited this ability. Bellesa put her foot down on trying to develop my power over fire after she had to heal some serious burns to my hands. I have not tried to control fire since.

Saphrina walked over to the table that sat in the corner of the glass walls and gazed longingly out of them with her elbows on the table and her chin resting in the palm of one hand. This is so beautiful! Nochetawah and Zendawiss are so flat, so I never get to see mountains.

I sat in the seat beside her and followed her gaze, staring fascinatingly at the waterfall. I have not seen much at all outside of Zendawiss or Nochetawah. I was never allowed to visit other cities.

Well, now, we will have to remedy that, said a cheerful male voice across the room.

We looked away from the window, glancing over our shoulders to see Romulas enter the room with a large tray that held a plate of scones, a teapot, three small plates, and three teacups. He placed the tray on the table where we sat, passed us each a teacup and small plate, and sat the teapot and plate of scones in the middle of the table. He placed a teacup and plate at the head of the table, then took the now empty tray and sat it on the other end of the table out of the way.

He took his seat and served himself a scone as he said, help yourselves, please. I have dismissed my apprentice from this meeting so that we may have some privacy.

I had not eaten today, so I was extremely hungry. However, I did not know I could trust Romulas yet, and for this reason, I politely declined the tea and scones. Saphrina followed my lead, looking at the plate of scones with a mixture of suspiciousness and yearning.

Suit yourselves, he answered cheerfully as he grabbed a scone, and took a bite off the buttery side of it. Mmmm, he said ecstatically and closed his eyes as he chewed.

My mouth watered uncontrollably as I watched Romulas enjoy his scone until, finally, I scooped one up and shoved the whole thing in my mouth. It seemed to melt buttery goodness throughout my taste buds as I chewed, and I closed my eyes and smiled as the moist treat slid down my throat when I swallowed.

Romulas was smiling at me when I opened my eyes, but he said not a word, and only poured himself a cup of hot tea. The peppery smell of Earl Gray assaulted my nostrils as he sat the teapot down, lifted the now full teacup to his lips, and took a delicate sip of hot tea.

I took up the teapot and poured myself a cup. It was, after all, my favorite tea, and I took a sip as I grabbed another scone from the plate. I looked at Saphrina and shrugged as she narrowed her eyes at me and shook her head slightly. She sighed resignedly, poured herself a cup of tea, and placed a scone on her own plate.

I took another sip of tea and turned my gaze to Romulas. So, tell me why you called for me, I said in a friendly tone. I tried to keep my gaze and voice steady even though I was shaking inside.

Romulas’s smile never left his face as he answered, all in good time, my friend. Let us chat and get to know one another first.

I took a breath and tried to calm my quaking nerves. Why did he keep stalling I wondered? The suspense of not knowing what Romulas wanted from me was making me uneasy, and the energy in my gut was roiling uncontrollably. I made no comment, but just looked at Romulas expectantly as I took a bite from my second scone.

After a brief moment, Romulas broke the silence. I was curious to know what the truth is and what is not, so I am glad you have shared a little of your story. My scouts have told me many stories about your adventures, Gatu.

I gave a slight chuckle as I responded, I don’t know if I would call it adventures.

Oh, but they are adventures. Great and wondrous adventures! Romulas’s voice began to rise with excitement, and the smile on his face and his eyes grew wide as he continued. Gatu, do you not know that danger is an adventure as grand as any other? Maybe even better in my opinion. It is danger that drives us to be at our best, our fastest, and our wisest!

He finished with a flourish of his hands, throwing his arms out wide with his eyes sparkling like the deepest red rubies.

I made no response, but I let the doubt cloud my eyes as I stared at Romulas questioningly.

Romulas only laughed as he folded his arms back onto the table and said, Gatu, do you deny that most of your hidden abilities came through when you were in great danger?

I started to deny his statement, but I paused to think for a quick second. I realized that he was right. It was in the moments of danger, fear, and extreme excitement when I could feel that coil of energy in my gut with more clarity. It was in those moments when instinct took over, and I just did what seemed to come naturally to release my powers and wield them effectively.

I looked at Romulas wide-eyed as he smiled knowingly and nodded his head in affirmation.

I will not bother you with questions about the trials you have faced thus far, Romulas said waving a hand dismissively. I will only ask you one question.

He paused as a wicked smile came over his face, and the churning in my gut surged so violently that it almost made me sick. I took in deep breaths and tried to calm my shaking nerves as Romulas continued.

How would you like to go on another grand adventure with me?

CHAPTER 2

I stared at Romulas with doubt and suspicion in my eyes. What could he mean by grand adventure? I was sure that it was not a good thing judging by his excitement of danger.

After a moment of deep breathing, the energy coil settled. I looked at Romulas and asked, What kind of grand adventure did you have in mind?

Romulas smiled triumphantly and leaned forward on his folded arms. How much do you know about the world beyond the Nether cities?

I looked at him confused for a moment before answering, You mean the Planetal Plane? I have lived two lives…

No, no, Romulas interrupted, waving a hand in the air dismissively. I am not speaking of the Planetal Plane. I am speaking of the regions outside of the cities.

Now I was even more confused as I responded, There are no regions outside of the cities. The vastness of empty space lies beyond the borders of the cities.

Saphrina, who had been silently nibbling scones and sipping her tea, shifted uncomfortably in her seat as she said, That is not entirely accurate.

I whipped my head around to look at her with a stunned expression on my face. What do you mean, Saphrina? I asked.

Well, I have read of a hidden land beyond the cities filled with wild creatures and dangers beyond imagination. Xavia, the universal leader, put a spell over the entire land to hide it.

Saphrina’s voice remained calm, but I could see the nervous expression on her face as she continued. It is actually a different Plane of existence that was formed from the Nether. Xavia hid it because it is too dangerous for anyone to be out there.

Romulas chuckled delightedly. He had been nodding his head in approval while Saphrina had been speaking. Wonderful, girl! Your knowledge on the Nether is phenomenal!

Saphrina smiled at the compliment and responded, Thank you. Pimedus taught me well.

I felt a small pang of jealousy at this statement, but I did not respond. Instead, I asked Romulas, Does this place really exist?

Indeed it does, Gatu, Romulas answered. I have seen it myself.

Saphrina’s eyes widened in disbelief. You have been to the Wild Nether? she asked. I thought it was all just made-up stories.

Indeed it is not, and I have been there. Many souls that you two know will remember that land. I was with Xavia when she heard that it was becoming dangerous. We sent scouts to investigate the land, but they never came back. I volunteered to go looking for them, but that was a big mistake. I will not bore you with the details. I will simply say that I never want to go back there again.

He paused and took a breath, and a faraway haunted look came over his face as he continued, I told Xavia what I had seen, and she decided to create the spell to hide it so no one else would enter again. We had already lost two souls to the Wild Nether, and we did not know how many more we would lose if souls kept going in. Xavia recorded everything I had told her about the land so everyone would know how dangerous it was. We performed the spell and sealed it off.

I asked, You helped her with the spell?

Yes, I did, he answered proudly. This is how I know how to get around it.

So, you want me to go with you into the Wild Nether? I asked incredulously.

Saphrina leaned forward in her seat, and added in a stern voice, You sealed off the Wild Nether for a reason. You cannot go there, it is too dangerous. Plus, you just said you never wanted to go back there.

I agree, I said just as sternly. Furthermore, it would be risky to open the Wild Nether to others if it was dangerous enough to be closed in the first place.

Romulas pierced me with his red eyes as he said offensively, Gatu, give me some credit. I would not endanger other souls. The spell we used to close the Wild Nether was to create a veil that not only hid the land, but also made it impossible to accidently step into it. If a soul was to accidently step off the end of a city, they would simply find themselves standing in the same spot they were before.

He paused for a moment to take a sip of tea before continuing. I am speaking of a simple portal spell. Since I know the properties of the veil, I can create a magical portal that would take us through the veil and out the other side. I would close the portal so that no one could follow us.

I don’t know, I said doubtfully. It seems way too dangerous just to find some adventure. I’m not really a thrill seeker.

Gatu has been through a lot in his short existence, Saphrina chimed in. He needs time to grow and learn in peace.

I smiled at her thankfully. You would never guess that I was the creator and she was the creation if you did not know us. She was overprotective, bossy, and just plain spiteful when anyone messed with my safety. Of course, when it came to her or anyone else I cared about, I was the same.

Romulas sat silent for a moment with a contemplating look on his face. He took a bite of his scone and a sip of tea, and I fidgeted in my seat in the awkward silence.

Finally, he spoke, looking directly at me as he said, Gatu, I have other reasons for journeying into the Wild Nether. I helped Xavia shut off that land for a reason, so I do not look forward to going in there.

Then, why do you want to go? I asked. And, why do you want me to go with you?

The cockiness and playfulness was gone from his voice as he answered in a more serious tone, Because, I need a tracker.

He said nothing further, so after a brief moment I asked, Why do you need a tracker?

To find the original tracker, of course, he answered as if I should have already known.

Saphrina’s stunned expression matched mine as she said doubtfully, But, Gatu is the tracker now. The original tracker is dead.

Romulas sighed as he looked at us in exasperation. Are you two forgetting that I am the one that created the tracker? If he were dead, I would have felt his death. Even if I were not his creator, I would know, because I am leader of the galaxy. I feel certain deaths as if they were my own. I would feel yours, Gatu.

I made no comment to this statement, and only asked, So, you believe he is still alive after over a thousand years? How could this be if his body died, and his life force could not live without a body?

Gatu, do you not know the story of the tracker? Romulas answered with another question.

I know what Rhyad and Oracle told me. They told me the story of Dorath and Alibastor. Dorath created Alibastor without the necessary preparations, causing Alibastor to be deformed. It was believed that Alibastor was murdering souls while he was hidden away under the catacombs of Dorath’s mansion. You created the tracker to find Alibastor and bring him to justice.

It had really been Drysu that had murdered those souls with Soul Keeper, trying to place his creator’s life force into another soul, but I kept that bit of information to myself. As far as I knew, the only souls who knew that bit of truth were the ones who had been present when Rhyad had questioned Drysu with his truth forcing ability.

Romulas nodded in conformation as he replied, Yes that is correct. However, I am not sure that you are aware of all that the tracker could do. Tracking was just one of his many abilities.

I looked at Romulas curiously as I asked, What else could he do?

Romulas answered, "The tracker was a traveler as well. His life force roamed freely when released from a body, and he could travel where he wanted in this form. He was able to maintain his consciousness with or without a body, and he was able to enter a body upon command. He could possess any creature that he