Heroes Rising: The Power of the Crystal

By P. J. Vigiletti

Heroes Rising /The Power of the Crystal is an Historical Fantasy set in dynamic New York City.
After years, of standing proudly in the bay of New York as the symbol of freedom for all, the famed Statue of Liberty comes to life and abandons her post. She’s fed up with everyone taking the gift of freedom for granted. And she might have gotten away with it too if eight year old Nick Paolo, and his older brother Adam hadn’t witnessed the statue escaping. Nick and Adam are thrust into a dangerous world of magic and mystery as they embark on a journey through time to convince the Statue of Liberty to return to her pedestal. History comes to life in this exciting adventure novel that is the first in a series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gatekeeper Press
• Release date: Feb 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9781662918360

Book preview

Prologue

I am not at all pleased with the attitude of the Statue of Liberty, Zeus thundered as he addressed the twelve gods seated around the marble table in the temple on Mount Olympus. That’s why I’ve called this meeting of the council of the gods.

Hermes, the messenger of the gods, had brought to each of their palaces Zeus’s command to meet. What Zeus said came out of the blue and the twelve strained to make sense of this sudden necessary gathering.

Pandia stood up, her usually shining face looking as puzzled as any of them had ever seen it. Father, you sent for me especially, because I’m in charge of looking after the spirit of this statue. What do you mean you’re not pleased with her? Has she done something wrong?

On the contrary, Zeus bellowed. She hasn’t done anything wrong, but I think she is contemplating something. She is showing signs of depression, anxiety, almost as if she isn’t happy in her position. That much I’ve figured out, but I don’t know what she might be planning.

A sudden flash and an odor of sulfur filled the boardroom as Hades burst in from the Underworld in a blaze of fire and joined the Olympians. Hera, as she usually did at his stinking arrivals, shrieked and went into a fit of coughing.

Come, come now, he began in a voice as slick as an oil spill. She has been standing in New York Harbor and doing her job since France sent her to America. Way back in the Nineteenth Earth Century, wasn’t it? What could be wrong now?

Hades, my sly friend, do you know something I should know? Zeus asked, his fist pulsing on the thunderbolt he used as a gavel.

Zeus my brother, don’t expect him to answer, Hestia chimed in. You know he’s from a place full of liars and cheats and he really is not one of us.

Come now, Sister. I know you never took a liking to Hades, but let’s give him a chance. Hades, answer the question, Zeus ordered.

Hades snickered. My dear Hestia, although no one really dares to diminish your place as goddess of hearth and home, and kindly aunt of Zeus’s innumerable illegitimate offspring. . ., he smirked and nodded in Pandia’s direction. …That’s no reason for you to take it out on me. To answer your question, Zeus, I have no information about the state of yon statue’s spirit at this time, he said. Now if you’ll excuse me from your important deliberations. . . ., he waved his hand and disappeared in a cloud of smoke and fumes.

With a rumbling movement of his office chair, Poseidon grunted. There he goes, rudely as usual, back to the Underworld, probably to converse with the likes of Neclion, Poseidon sighed.

What about you? Hera asked. Do you know anything? After all, the Lord of the Seas surely must have heard something from the waves that slash against Liberty Island.

That’s so sweet, dear Lady Hera, but you’re the one who should know something, being the queen of all the gods, Poseidon answered sarcastically.

Enough, cried Zeus. This is why it takes us so long to do anything. Everyone just loves to pass the buck to someone else. Now let’s work with some specifics here. Aries, you’re the god of war; does the lady want to start a war? Apollo, does the lady want to banish music in favor of some kind of rhythm without rhyme, or send us all into darkness? And what about you, Hermes, did the lady give you a message for us the last time you were in her neighborhood? Does she need our help with some task?

As he questioned the Olympians, Zeus’s voice grew deeper, as though he were calling out from inside a deep cave at the top of their mountain home. He snapped the thunderbolt from hand to hand.

Demeter, goddess of the harvest, is there some new landscaping on Liberty Island that would explain her blue mood? Could it be allergies? And Artemis, might the lady be considering going on the hunt, to kill something or someone? Who are her enemies?

Hephaestus tried to quietly slip away from the discussion. If Zeus became more aroused, things would not be pretty on Mount Olympus.

But Zeus caught him trying to sneak out. And where do you think you’re going? You must have something to say since you’re so eager to leave.

Not really, sir, Hephaestus said. I just get uncomfortable when you start questioning us like this. I know where this could lead, especially since you are holding your, uh, gavel.

Ha! The god of fire is afraid of a little thunderbolt? Zeus laughed, and the temple shivered.

Everyone else laughed nervously.

Zeus continued. Are you not also in charge of stone masonries and sculptures?

Yes, that is true, Hephaestus answered.

And since the Statue of Liberty is a masterpiece of sculptured art, might she not have confided in you? Zeus yelled angrily.

I’m sorry to say that she did not, Hephaestus admitted.

Zeus slammed the thunderbolt down hard on the marble floor of the temple. Lightning leaped into the heavens, nearly blinding all the Olympians.

Father, Athena screamed, which made Zeus stop immediately. He looked at them all sheepishly.

Aphrodite took Zeus’s hand, and he asked, barely loudly enough for them all to hear. My dear goddess of love, does the Statue of Liberty have love in her heart?

She smiled but gave no answer.

Athena, you have said nothing. You are the goddess of wisdom. In your wisdom, what are you thinking? Zeus asked, suspecting that she would know something if any of them did.

Athena beckoned to those who had risen during Zeus’s spell of irritation. Everyone please be seated, she directed, her voice as cool as a pale morning. Lady Liberty has been standing in the harbor of New York representing the Land of the Free for a very long time. Lately she is getting the feeling that the love of freedom the American people have is not as pure and resolute as it used to be. They seem to be taking for granted all the gifts that their great land offers.

Athena, we all know this. We have observed it every day, but what are we to do about it? Apollo asked. What does the Statue of Liberty want to do about it? What can she do about it?

I don’t know, but I heard her mumble that she was going to do something drastic, Athena replied.

Everyone, leave me, Zeus commanded.

The gods and goddesses left quietly.

When all were gone, Zeus leaned against one of the great window ledges of the temple and gazed up at the inky sky. He picked out one very bright star. Oh, shining one up there, I have an idea. I think I know what I can do.

As though he had been summoned, Hades appeared in a sooty cloud. Well, Zeus my friend, having a little problem?

No doubt you overheard.

Of course, I am always interested in what the Olympians do, Hades mocked.

Hades, I will give you one second to leave the way you came.

My, my, you are testy, he observed. Another blast of polluted air, and Hades was gone.

Father, you’re still here. What are you up to? Pandia asked

Child! I didn’t hear you come in. I was just contemplating the intelligence I received about our dear Statue of Liberty.

Father, that’s what I’m worried about. You have that look. I think you’re about to initiate some kind of scheme. Are you worried that Lady Liberty will try to do something foolish?

Zeus put his arm around his lovely daughter. Foolish? . . . Nonsense, Child, he said and quietly left the temple, leaving a bewildered Pandia standing alone amid the great flaming torches.

One

You can’t leave. Get back up there! You’re the Statue of Liberty!

Nick. What’s wrong? Adam Paolo called from his bedroom. He had been awakened by the screams of his little brother dreaming on the sofa bed in the living room.

Nothing, I was just having a dream, Nick called back to his brother.

Awake now, Nick jumped out of bed and ran to Adam, who was sitting at the edge of his bed, clothed only in a pair of boxer shorts, his muscular body shining in the moonlight beaming through one of the windows.

Nick climbed on the bed next to him and threw his arms around him. He started wrestling with his brother, getting a little rough, something he always loved to do with Adam.

Adam yelled. Hey, kid, take it easy, he tousled Nick’s curly black hair with his hand. You’re getting pretty strong for an eight-year-old.

Adam grabbed Nick’s arms and pinned him to the bed.

Nick looked up at Adam with his big blue eyes, and asked seriously. Do you think I will grow up strong and handsome when I get to be old like you?

Adam laughed. Old? I’m only 24.

No really. I already have the curly hair like you but I want to be six feet tall like you, and have muscles like you and …

And nothing. When you grow up you will be you.

That’s not an answer.

Yeah right, well it will have to do, Adam blurted out as he tickled Nick.

Laughter filled the small bedroom.

Nick quieted and looked at Adam. Adam, can I ask you something?

Shoot.

How old was I when our parents died?

You were six years old.

I don’t remember much. All I know is they died in an automobile accident.

Adam sat tall in the bed and said nothing.

It must have been very painful for you, not only losing your parents but gaining me to take care of.

With great anguish Adam sternly responded to Nick. Yes, it was painful but I thank God every day that we were not in the car with them. Stop asking questions about this. Isn’t it enough that fate played a dirty deal on us by having some drunk driver kill our parents without you bringing it all up again?

Sensing Adam’s pain, Nick again threw his arms around his neck.

Just then the IRT elevated train, which usually awoke Adam from a deep sleep every night, came roaring past his window. You’re a little late this morning, Adam said. Nick’s dream beat you to it, he jokingly called out to the train as it disappeared out of sight. The room became quiet.

It was four o’clock in the morning, the time Adam usually got up for work using the clanging of the train as his alarm clock.

He gently removed Nick’s arms from around his neck. Now, what about this dream that you had that brought you bounding into my bed?

Suddenly Nick remembered what had awakened him. Yeah, my dream.

The dream couldn’t be that bad.

It was, Nick exasperatedly responded.

Do you want to tell me about it?

Nick gently nodded and looked up at Adam for some sympathy.

Adam put his arm around Nick. Go on, tell me about it.

It wasn’t a scary dream. It was a very sad dream.

What was so sad about it? Adam asked with an emotion that showed how much he cared for his brother.

Nick looked into Adam’s eyes and told him. I dreamt that the Statue of Liberty left her pedestal. She just took off. Now the people don’t have her anymore. Don’t you think that it would be so sad if the Statue of Liberty was no more?

Wait a minute, buddy. You had a dream about the Statue of Liberty leaving her pedestal, which means she came to life, and took off to some unknown place?

Nick nodded once again.

Adam tousled Nick’s hair. OK, it’s a little weird but… Adam wondered if he should even mention that his work today would take him to the Statue of Liberty. He shook his head and thought he had better not tell Nick…it might upset him.

Nick grabbed Adam’s hand. I was watching TV last night and there was a story, well it really was a documentary.

I get it. You were watching a documentary about the Statue of Liberty.

Nick excitedly replied. Yes, it was all about the Statue of Liberty and how she is a great symbol of freedom and now she’s leaving.

Adam laughed a little but continued to comfort him. "It was just a dream. Besides, the Statue of Liberty is just that - - a huge statue made of copper. It’s not real.

And it will stand in the harbor as a symbol of freedom and liberty for… well, I don’t know … at least as long as you live."

Are you sure? he asked.

I’m sure, buddy, Adam hugged Nick and reassured him that everything would be alright. Feeling better now? Nick nodded. You need to go and take your shower and get ready to go to Betsy’s apartment so I can go to work.

Nick climbed down off the bed and started for the bathroom only to turn back to Adam. I really don’t want to go to Betsy’s today.

Yeah right. You have to. Now go and get ready. When you’re finished, meet me in the kitchen. We still need to have breakfast before we go.

Nick was about to say something else but hesitated when Adam gave him a stern look. He then ran off to shower and dress but called out from the bathroom. We’ll talk about this over breakfast.

Adam shook his head and listened to make sure that Nick was getting ready. When he heard a faint little voice singing in the shower, it reminded him of when he was a kid.

In the shower, Nick hit a high note full force, which caused Adam to cringe. He stood to stretch the kinks from his waking muscles.

He leaned on the old wooden dresser which stood against the wall and gazed into the large mirror anchored above. Glancing down at a picture of his parents he spoke softly to conceal his words from Nick. Ma, you were so beautiful. I especially remember your smile, so reassuring. It always made me feel that everything was all right, he fondly ran his finger over his dad’s photo. You always came across as being such a powerful man. I guess it was your strong, chiseled facial features, Adam touched his chin, looked in the mirror then back at the picture of his father. I guess I have those features, too, he walked over to a nearby bachelor chest and pulled out the clothes he would wear today and tossed them on the bed.

Adam stumbled into the dark kitchen and flipped on the light. Here I am living in this pathetic railroad flat because my career ended with an automobile crash.

Adam again heard Nick’s singing coming from the bathroom.

I guess the only good thing I have in life is that boy in there. And now, here we are in this kitchen with only a sink, a small table and chairs, some cabinets, a refrigerator and one window that opens to a fire escape, like I said, pathetic.

Nick called from the bathroom. Did you say something, Adam?

Startled, he called back. No, Nick, I was just thinking out loud.

Adam went to the window, opened it and breathed in the cool morning air before the sun rose and heated everything up. He smiled when he saw an old rusty milk box still sitting on the fire escape. It reminded him of the stories his parents told him about the days when refrigerators were iceboxes and milk was kept in metal boxes placed on the fire escape in the winter months.

The pure white glass bottles were delivered by the milk man. As a boy, his dad would wait for his mom to open one of the bottles so he could eat the cream that rose to the top.

Nick entered the kitchen dressed in a blue pullover T- shirt and jeans. He quickly went to the cabinet and stared at the boxes of cereal. Adam, what kind of cereal do you want?

Adam quickly turned from the window, a little startled. Nick, I didn’t hear you come in.

Yeah, I know. You were daydreaming out the window again.

What did you ask me?

What kind of cereal do you want?

Just pick one.

Nick selected the box of corn flakes and put it on the table. Adam retrieved the milk from the refrigerator and two bowls from one of the upper cabinets.

Nick poured the corn flakes into the bowls. I wish we could have something else for breakfast besides cereal and milk and your cup of coffee. By the way, where’s the coffee?

I didn’t have time to make it, with your dream and all.

I’m sorry. I’m a kid and I have crazy dreams. You were a kid once too, yah know. Do you want me to make the coffee?

That’s alright. Let’s just eat our cereal. I’ll have some milk this morning.

Nick held out both hands and gestured to Adam.

What? Adam asked as he noticed Nick’s gesture.

We don’t have spoons. How are we supposed to eat our cereal?

How about you get up and get us two spoons and while you’re there get some napkins too.

OK, Nick retrieved the spoons and napkins. Would you like a glass to pour your milk in? Nick continued now using a British accent.

Adam responded, also using a British accent. That would be nice, my man, and get yourself a glass for your milk also.

Nick did this, sat and stared at Adam, but after a few seconds they both started laughing at each other.

Nick quietly started eating his cereal as Adam poured himself a glass of milk and handed the milk over to his brother.

Nick said as he poured. Anyway, milk is much better for you than coffee.

Adam sternly replied. It’s too early for your health lessons. Just eat your cereal.

Sorry, Nick sheepishly responded.

The only sound was crunching cereal as they both just looked at each other.

Adam broke the silence. Yes, I was.

You was what? Nick asked.

"Grammar, young man … a kid, I once was a kid. When I was your age, I had great hopes of being a movie star. But those hopes got crushed when hard times hit Mom and Dad. The money just wasn’t there any more. We were feeling the effects of inflation.

Do you know what inflation is?"

Uh, I don’t think so.

Not important. Anyway, our household expenses were rising but Dad’s salary was not. This forced me to go to work when I was just a kid. The only job I could get and stay in school was as a paper boy. So that’s what I did. I gave all my earnings to Mom and Dad.

Do you regret doing that? Nick cautiously asked.

Adam didn’t answer.

I like it when we talk about when you were a kid.

You do?

Yeah, what did you do after being a paper boy?

I got a job at the Loew’s movie theater...as an usher, he said with embarrassment.

How old were you then?

I was 16. You had to be 16 to work in a movie theater.

I bet you liked that job. You were in the movies, Nick laughed.

A stern look came across Adam’s face. Wrong. I was an usher who could do nothing but watch the stars on the screen, hoping to be one of them some day. I would stand at the back of the theatre in my red and gold usher’s uniform and pretend to enter the movie on the screen and interact with the actors.

Nick reached across the table and touched Adam’s hand to comfort him.

Adam rambled on. So, I decided to think less about Show Business and more about earning a living.

Still cautious of Adam’s feelings, Nick asked. Did you get to keep any of the money?

No. A twist of fate got in the way again. Now stop asking me questions.

But you can’t just leave it at that, as soon as Nick said this, he realized that he had pushed too far.

You want to know the next step? You were born and that made my earnings even more important to the family.

Nick froze, fearful of the next comment from Adam.

Adam finished the last of his cereal, picked up his glass of milk and gulped it down. He took his cereal bowl and his empty glass and placed it in the sink. You almost finished?

Nick didn’t answer the question but laughed out loud.

What are you laughing at? Adam asked, trying not to laugh with him.

Ya got a milk moustache.

Adam reached for the kitchen towel and somehow the towel jumped into his hand. Adam stared at it for a moment then wiped his mouth. He continued. "After high school, I got a job as an apprentice laborer with the Conservetta Construction Company of New York.

You started out as an apprentice laborer? Nick asked, still trying to calm Adam’s annoyance.

Yes, Nick, and I am still a laborer, but I advanced from apprentice to be part of a department, as a stonemason, specializing in repairing our National Monuments.

Nick, still inquisitive, had never heard how Adam got to be a professional stonemason. He knew his brother was highly revered by the company he worked for. I don’t understand; tell me more.

When Sam, our uncle …

Nick laughed. Yeah right, Uncle Sam.

Very funny, Nick. Our Uncle … Sam … got me the job.

I don’t remember this uncle.

That’s because you were very young when he died. Anyway, I worked as a maintenance man at first. I fixed anything that needed fixing. Finally, this kindly, elderly man, who happened to be a master stonemason, took me under his wing.

What was his name?

Why do you have to know what his name is? It’s not important.

I’m sorry … I didn’t … Nick said apologetically.

His name was Serverio Giovanni Servetta. But we all called him Gio.

Wow! Nick exclaimed. That’s some name.

Yeah, wow is right. He took a liking to me and decided to train me as a stonemason. There were no objections from anyone because he was the grandfather of the owner of the company.

Adam, what is a stonemason?

We start out as simple bricklayers. We build and repair all kinds of structures, such as fireplaces, chimneys, walls and walkways using all kinds of masonry materials. From there we advance to stonemasons. This work is a little more specialized. Setting stone floors, building stone walls, and many projects where we use special hammers and chisels to cut the stone. Other masons specialize in setting marble. Valuable pieces of stone are sometimes cut with a diamond blade. We also repair imperfections and cracks and replace broken pieces in floors, walls, and most important, in statues.

That’s what you do? You repair damage to our country’s statues? The boss recognized your talent right away?

It wasn’t right away. It wasn’t until lots of training with Gio that I became a professional stonemason. But I was lucky. One day Gio told me to go and repair a crack in a beautiful marble copy of the Venus di Milo that was brought to us by a private collector.

What collector?

I forget. Stop asking questions and listen. I fixed it and did a beautiful job. When the boss saw the fine work I did on the statue, he was extremely impressed. When we got a government contract to be the only company responsible for fixing and repairing our National Monuments or anything relating to the Monuments, I got the job.

Can I ask you one more question? Nick asked, still trying to soften Adam’s mood.

No, you have asked enough questions. Don’t you see, because of this, Show Biz and college were all put aside for awhile? Adam stared blankly into space. I will pursue my dreams part time while I fulfill my obligations full time. My dreams got short-changed, that’s for sure. Are you happy now?

Nick remained quiet. Hurry up and finish your cereal. I need to get going. I have a new job to go to today and I have to be at the Statue of Liberty-on-Liberty Island by 5:30. A railing broke. I need to fix it before all the tourists arrive.

Nick choked on what was left of his cereal.

Adam realized what he had just said. Great! Me and my big mouth, hey kid, are you alright?

I’m fine. Are you really going to the Statue of Liberty today? The Statue of Liberty, the one in my dream?

Don’t start with that dream again.

Why didn’t you tell me?

Because I knew you would get upset. See, now you know and you’re upset.

Nick jumped up and put his cereal bowl, spoon and glass in the sink and firmly approached Adam. I’m not upset. I am excited. You have to take me with you.

I can’t do that. I’ll be working.

You’ve got to take me. Don’t you see? This is a sign that I need to be with you today. Please, please. I don’t want to go to Betsy’s. All I do is sit and listen to her tell stories about when she was young. This is my vacation from school and it’s not fun having Betsy baby-sit me.

Adam paused, thinking what would be best for his little brother. Does this really mean that much to you?

Yes.

Right…. But you better not get in my way.

I won’t, Nick ran out of the kitchen to gather up the items he wanted to take with him.

Hey, wait a minute, young man. Come back here. You’re not coming with me until you clean up the kitchen. You do that while I go shower and dress?

Right, Nick quickly started to clean up, hoping that Adam wouldn’t change his mind and dump him on Betsy. Where’s the dish soap? When Adam didn’t answer he searched for the soap himself and finally found it under the sink.

Adam called from the bathroom. After you clean up, write a note telling Betsy that you’re coming with me. That way she won’t worry. We’ll put it on her door on the way out.

I will. I’m almost done, Nick dried the dishes and spoons and placed them back in the cupboard. I’ll just let the glasses air dry and put them away when we get back.

And don’t forget to close the kitchen window, Adam yelled.

Nick quickly placed the dish towel on its rack, closed and locked the kitchen window, went into the living room, wrote a quick note to Betsy, and waited for Adam.

It didn’t take Adam long to shower and dressed in his blue denim work shirt, black boots and black jeans. At his waist he wore a wide two-inch belt. He picked up his toolbox and headed into the living room. He saw Nick standing there ready to go.

All set?

Yup.

Do you have something to keep you busy so you won’t bother me?

Yup. No, wait a minute. I need my crystal, Nick ran back to the bedroom closet and searched for the small crystal his parents gave him just before they died. They gave it to him because he was practicing to be a magician.

Adam smiled, happy that Nick was able to just be a kid and follow his dream. His smile quickly disappeared. That was something he never had been able to do.

Nick ran back into the living room. Now I’m ready. Let’s go.

Adam grinned. You’re sure you have everything you want to take with you?

Yup.

Why must you always take that crystal wherever you go?

It keeps us safe. It’s magical, you know.

Adam laughed a little. How is it that the crystal is magical?

Defensively and with great