Eventide: Quests of Shadowind, #7

By L.A. Miller

The Door to Life Is the Maw of Death.

An unstoppable Nulenac conveyer ship has entered Earth's solar system to claim its prize of human meat and slaves. As it rockets unerringly toward Shadowind, Logan and Mindy march resolutely on the final leg of their journey to rescue their parents.

Or is their attempt merely a funeral procession leading to hungry graves?

The only way to reach Mesa Island is through the infested streets of Dungeontomb. But the path taking them there is as twisted as their enemies' plots to subvert and shed blood. Before the teen siblings can even decipher its hidden entrance, murderous aliens, killer creatures, and deadly dark spirits ruthlessly shadow their every step.

With the help of steadfast friends, Logan and Mindy trek onward, never knowing if they're climbing a mesa of miracles, or descending an abyss of abomination.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L.A. Miller
• Release date: Feb 16, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224378616

L.A. Miller

L.A. Miller has been writing for more than forty years. His backgrounds in science fiction, astronomy, technology, and classic literature inform his work, which has included novels, short stories, and music. He is the owner of Wood n Nails Music and lives in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with his wife and two dogs. Sky Shifter, The Grounding Stone, and Veil are the first three, respectively, of eight books in the Quests of Shadowind series.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

DUNGEONTOMB

Beneath a backlit sky of brooding, gray clouds, fires burned low inside rusty fifty-five-gallon drums. The leaping flames cast long, flickering shadows across the concrete face of a fractured and gutted apartment complex. Its dark, broken windows looked down ominously from above. Pairs of glowing eyes peered through the panes to the cracked and crumbling streets below. A pack of shadowy, six-legged creatures scurried between scraggy bushes. They darted across the pavement, heading toward a dirty, dilapidated factory. Slipping through a shattered opening where a door once hung, the Spirit Beings disappeared behind an inner wall.

A raw wind swept through the streets, kicking up a thin cloud of dirt and trash. A ragged sheet from an old newspaper stuck to a barren tree, and a mournful sound rushed through it as if repeating the tragic stories to any vile creature who would listen. But Dungeontomb’s dwellers knew the horrific details all too well. And the terrible tales would only solicit prideful chortles since they and their kind had instigated the crimes. They incited people to rebel against each other, calling truth a lie, and thereby shunning good and embracing evil. Dungeontomb’s dwellers wrapped evil around themselves like a hooded cloak.

Lord Torrent was one such creature. His black robe flowed in waves and dragged along the street, covering his decayed bones. Only his pointy chin and rictus grin emerged from concealment. The dark hood hid his empty eye sockets and nasal cavity. His back was hunched lower than usual. Since his banishment to Shadowind’s prison, he had had little to feed on. The once-powerful Deep Shadow had weakened. It fed on dark, human energies, like fear and rage, but there were no mortals here. Even so, he possessed enough evil power to reign over his minions, and he used his malevolent wisdom and strength to prepare for an unavoidable visitation. Humans would soon traverse the confined network of streets, apartments, and warehouses. They must. Dungeontomb provided the only viable means to reach Mesa Island. The violent wind and waves of Open Waters Lake would rip any craft—whether air or sea—to shreds. Not that there were any planes or boats. But some humans were particularly insightful. Given enough time, Torrent knew that Logan and Mindy—with the guidance of Captain Aimery, Chief Engineer Purdy, and even Watchman Danby—would find another way across treacherous Open Waters Lake and the harrowing Circlet Abyss.

But they had run out of time.

The adults and littlest children remained in isolation in their holding pens on Mesa Island, awaiting pickup by Lord Fuleric’s conveyer ship. Torrent knew the ship would arrive soon, but not precisely when. Nor could he pinpoint where or when the humans would appear. Living in isolation came with severe penalties. He hoped someone closer to the source might share that information. Despite his limited knowledge, Torrent understood perfectly well that the rescue team must go through the heart of death itself. He had devised a scheme that would hurl Logan and Mindy into their graves. He would personally seal their coffins and destroy anyone else foolish enough to venture into his lair.

The Deep Shadow turned his hooded skull toward a small building. Some of its doors and windows remained intact, but most were boarded up. Like the buildings surrounding it, it served as a prison for any number of Shadowind’s various miscreants. Torrent’s cell looked like it might once have been a convenience store. Directly in front of it, two rusted gas pumps sat silently beneath an equally oxidized canopy. The gray door had become unlatched during the reboot of Computerworld—Shadowind’s life-support mainframe. The Deep Shadow had used the dungeon’s powerless seconds to escape the first level of confinement. Many of the other prisoners had made jailbreaks as well. However, none of the fugitives had reached Chasm Bridge before the blackout ended. Now Torrent and the others were free to roam about Dungeontomb but no farther.

That would change when the humans arrived. He would kill them and steal their precious artifacts—the means for crossing the bridge.

Torrent’s tattered robe snagged momentarily on a blistered section of asphalt. He glanced up at a battered skywalk that joined two apartment buildings. Glowing yellow eyes watched his advance, then disappeared behind a crumbling wall. Torrent turned and found a short rise of concrete steps. Using them, he glided onto the first floor. Dust and debris littered its laminated, checkered tiles. Halfway up the corridor, a broken staircase ascended to each of the next four levels. The Deep Shadow purposefully rose to the third floor, turned, and entered the skywalk. In a particularly dark corner near the opposite end, the yellow eyes blinked at him. Humans would have difficulty discerning the beast’s rippling arms and legs, massive chest, long and powerful tail, and crocodile head—all covered with tight, thick scales. They would most certainly have missed the blaster rifle concealed in the blackness. But Torrent’s eyeless sockets saw it all. He could see especially well in the dark. The Deep Shadow glided closer.

What news have you? Torrent asked. "Is the Khargg Gho on its way?"

The guard growled and grunted, uttering the language of the Nulenacs. I have heard the clicks of communication, it said. The meat conveyer is under way. It should arrive at this system’s outer edge within one-point-three Nul-times.

Slightly less than an Earth hour. And afterward?

Trajectory variances affect the timeline. Many disseminated rocks lie between the ingress and extraction points that must be blasted or avoided. ETA to Shadowind is approximately three Earth days—to phrase it in your terms. The guard cocked its lizard head, and its eyes flickered. Why the keen interest? Chasm Bridge will not be utilized. You will still be confined, and I will remain at my post.

"Chasm Bridge will be utilized, Torrent answered. And we shall be free. Humans are coming."

The Nulenac’s eyes deepened from yellow to orange. Here? Why? When?

Torrent briefly explained the details of the earthlings’ desperate rescue attempt.

The guard’s eyes reddened. They plan to steal from Lord Fuleric? the alien bellowed. The humans on Mesa Island are food and slaves. This sector—including everything and everyone in it—belongs to the Nulenacs. They will die for their insolence!

I knew you would see it my way. However, I must warn you: the other Dark Ones—the Spirit Beings—will be hunting them as well. But, given our telekinetic powers, we will find them first.

The Nulenac tightened its claws around the rifle. We shall see, Deep Shadow, the monster grunted. "I will notify the others. The Nulenacs have superior strength and weapons. We will be the ones to kill the humans. They won’t reach the first checkpoint."

Torrent’s hooded head bobbed. It appears that we will be competing for the same prize. While fighting separately, we shall be working together. My trophy will be the heads of Logan and Mindy. In return, you may have the rest—and I’m sure there will be plenty to go around. Vast numbers of humans will be required if they have any hope of success.

Agreed. The Nulenac’s eyes lightened to orange. We’ll meet again later. I have preparations to make, it growled as it hulked into the adjoining building.

Torrent kneaded his grotesquely long and boney fingers. As do I, Nulenac, Torrent chortled greedily. As do I.

GRAYDAY PRIME

A monstrous bug with stubby legs suddenly appeared in the blackness of space. Several thousand miles distant, a swirly planet brightly reflected the orange light from its nearby sun. Human astronomers had designated the K-type dwarf star as Gliese 370, an insignificant speck thirty-six light-years from Earth. Scursions—an alien race that dubbed themselves as galactic scientists—frequented the system because of an Earth-like planet they called Grayday Prime. A variety of plant matter and animal life-forms provided the fodder for harvesting and experimentation. Humans had denoted the planet found in the constellation Vela as HD 85512 b. Nulenacs hadn’t bothered to name it at all, designating it only by its coordinates. The cloudy, warm, and humid planet orbiting twenty-four million miles from its orange sun served merely as a waypoint. The bug-shaped vessel would pause briefly to recalibrate its route toward the mobile space station, Shadowind. After its computers quadruple-checked its systems and course, the Kharrg Gho would generate another artificial wormhole and almost instantly arrive in the Sol system, well outside the Oort Cloud beyond the dwarf planet Pluto’s orbit.

Worming a spaceship directly to Shadowind was too dangerous, even with the Nulenacs’ advanced technology. Doing so could possibly end in a confrontation between metal and rock. The billions of comets within the distant Oort Cloud, and the countless asteroids in the Kuiper and Asteroid Belts—along with the other rocks scattered among the planets—changed position constantly. They sometimes nudged each other, or even collided violently. The perpetual jostling only added to the cosmic debris, further increasing the possibility of a fatal crash upon entry. Keeping up with Sol’s ever-changing system would require constant surveillance, a tedious task the Nulenacs deemed overkill. After all, what was a small delay of a few days when dealing with meat and slaves? Adult humans were nothing more than cattle, kept chilled and fresh in the Kharrg Gho’s holds. Those under the age of succulence (twenty Earth years) were transported and auctioned off as slaves. They would provide menial labor until the Nulenacs deemed them feast worthy—a double benefit.

The aliens dumped inferior humans on Terra Altus—a planet elsewhere in the sector. After a random selection, they were routed either to the zoo or to the mining colony. The former was somewhat less arduous for earthlings, but just as deadly. Miners feared cave-ins and being worked to death, but zoo dwellers faced the swords and guns of outlaws. The people of the Medieval East and the Wild West struggled to survive under the amused eyes of the Nulenacs and other alien races. Even if a human managed to die of old age, the result was the same. Every one of the abducted humans was destined to die far from home.

Unless Uo and his captain, Aimery, intervened.

The Nulenacs, Scursions, and Spirit Beings knew this and were trying to thwart Aimery’s rescue attempts at every turn. Even as the simple transport ship fired its retro engines to alter its course, Lord Fuleric was powering up his entire fleet to divert the captain’s path into a fatal dead end. After defeating the captain, Fuleric would terrorize Earth and devour its human resources to depletion.

From behind the cloudy, massive orb of Grayday Prime, a second vessel approached. Similar in size but far sleeker in structure, the armed scout ship stopped a safe distance away. On its dark hull, large, bold symbols translated into the name Ckillersaw. Its captain and crew monitored Gliese 370’s system, keeping it clear of intruders. When Lord Fuleric arrived with his fleet, the Nulenac leader wanted a smooth transition to the Sol system.

A croc-headed lizardman named Nohnack stood in front of a large view screen. No chairs littered the bridge nor anywhere else. Because of the aliens’ overly developed thighs, they had no need to sit. Sitting was for weaklings. The captain stirred, causing his medals and rank insignia to glisten in the low lights. Nulenacs wore no clothing. All emblems of identification were pierced into their thick, scaly chests. Nohnack grunted as he observed Kharrg Gho’s maneuvers. He admired how its virtual intelligence could plot and carry out a complex course across hundreds of light-years of space.

"Send the signal that the Kharrg Gho has arrived," Nohnack commanded.

A slightly smaller lizard tapped his claw on a console. Signal sent, Ship Leader. Shall I notify Terra Altus as well?

Hold. Wait until the transport returns.

How many heads will it bring? another officer inquired.

One hundred and fifty-one humans, the ship leader answered.

Clicking sounds filled the bridge. Why so few?

It is by special order of Lord Fuleric, Nohnack said, and therefore, should not be questioned. Silence quickly followed. The ship leader’s eyes became a fiery orange. This roundup will include several humans of high value.

Is there such a thing? a lizardman asked. Crewmembers growled in mirth.

Nohnack stared into space as if seeing planet Earth on his view screen. I’ve never seen a human fetch more than a hundred Nul-creds. Although some are tastier than others—those that eat higher doses of the lord’s food.

How many humans can resist celebration cake? the helmsman asked.

Is that supposed to be another joke? Nohnack growled.

"Kharrg Gho away, Ship Leader, announced the communications officer. He watched as the buggy transport disappeared inside a swirling wormhole. After only a moment, the officer reported, It has entered the human solar system... The croc tapped a lighted key with a long claw. Our spies aboard Shadowind have now confirmed it. The Kharrg Gho’s autopilot is relaying that its post-jump condition is normal, and that it is plotting a new course... Employing sub-light engines and diversionary measures... ETA: eighty-seven Nul-times—sixty-four Earth hours. I notified the fleet and Shadowind’s emissaries."

Ship Leader Nohnack bared his sharp teeth. Tasty! he chortled as happily as a Nulenac could. Lord Fuleric is particularly eager about this shipment. Keep him updated on its progress. A clucking sound emitted from deep within his large throat. And let’s see that fool Aimery try to stop it.

CHAPTER 2

Logan sat at the kitchen table, working his sore jaw. A loosened tooth was settling into its rightful place. He had incurred lightheadedness either from Samantha’s passionate kiss or, more likely, from Kyle’s rock-solid punch. How quickly he had gone from experiencing pleasure to pain! The violent storm named Kyle had always claimed that Samantha belonged to him despite her disclaimers. Witnessing the theft of his property had called for retaliation. Kyle had called it defending what was rightfully his, like a jeweler fighting off a thief. That singular event had changed Shadowind more than the mainframe computer’s reset. While the latter had restored functionality, the former threatened to destroy it. Heated words had melted the cooler heads that tried to prevail. Kyle would have pummeled Logan senseless, but the villagers had quickly overwhelmed the assailant and subdued him. After lengthy arguments from nearly everyone present, Kyle had stormed off, cursing and pointing a threatening finger at numerous individuals.

Samantha, after seeing the ruckus she had caused, had apologized to Logan profusely. Mindy had scolded her best friend, but she also understood the difficultly of keeping one’s secret affections in check. Mindy liked Kyle deeply. But seeing him resort to violence had reminded her that bad boys often deserved being branded as such. Maybe she had made a mistake in trusting him to keep his bullying in the past. When he stomped off, Kyle had screamed parting words of revenge. No one had seen him since, and that was hours ago. The villagers had become fearful that he would once again join forces with the Silhouettes and Deep Shadows. Although the cunning Spirit Beings had duped him, Mindy wondered if they would have an easier time due to his renewed volatile state.

Mindy sat across from her brother, gazing at him with probing eyes. Logan looked away. Sometimes it seemed that she could read his mind. He hoped not. Like scattered dust in a sandstorm, his fragmented thoughts took flight. Even with the resets of Replers, lights, and food, Shadowind was becoming more dangerous. It seemed that every aspect of it wanted Logan and Mindy dead. They had battled against a voracious computer virus led by Spirit Beasts and Deep Shadows who were in league with ruthless armies of Nulenacs and Whirling Axis. To top it all off, Lord Fuleric had a penchant for vicious alien beasts that sometimes ran amuck. And Fuleric himself raced toward Earth with bloodthirsty determination to annihilate humanity.

And now girl trouble? Perhaps those new worries didn’t compare with the destruction of life as Logan knew it. Or did they? He was learning the importance of relationships, and to witness those close ties being destroyed rattled him to the bone. Only a few months ago, he had had zero prospects. And he had been okay with that. A multitude of hobbies and sports had kept him occupied. Then his eyes had become opened to beauty. What was next? Would he suddenly like flowers? Or even worse...vegetables? If a spunky girl could find a way to his heart, would a radish someday find its way to his stomach?

Logan hadn’t told anyone, but the avatar Sergeant Pagel had caught his eye. Her dark and lovely features aside, Logan was drawn to her quiet solitude mixed with her commanding presence. When he had met the real woman, she had looked even more beautiful, but he thought she might be too old for him. Then came Nadiya Chavanne. Her French accent, green eyes, and spirited personality hid a deep-seated vulnerability. Logan had wondered if he could help soothe her pining for her parents and perhaps even try to fill the gaping void. She needed him, didn’t she? And then there was Mindy’s best friend, Samantha Triplow. She was intelligent, was totally selfless, and had blue eyes that could pierce a man’s heart, slice it wide open, and mend it back together again with timeless warmth and affection. But did she need him like he supposed Leanne and Nadiya did? Samantha appeared quite self-sufficient to the point of giving far more than she ever took. Logan knew full well that she tidied up his room and made his bed for him every time he went away. He also knew that it was Samantha—not Kyle or Westley—who held the village together in his absence.

Logan sighed mournfully. Alien emotions stirred deep within his soul. He shook his embattled head and hung it low. He had found himself fighting off monsters with one hand and girls with the other...which had left him open to Kyle’s right hook. Logan wanted to confide in his sister—to ask for advice—but did big brothers really do that sort of thing? Wouldn’t he come off sounding stupid? He was supposed to be Mindy’s hero, wasn’t he? The Rock of Gibraltar, a crab on the stormy beach of adversity, with pincers that could nip trouble in the bud. Logan grumbled. He could have used an extra front claw to fend off Kyle.

Maybe he wouldn’t have hit you, big brother, Mindy commented, if you hadn’t kissed Sami Jo back...right there in front of him. She arose, tossed a dinner plate into the dishwasher, and clicked the door shut. Being a loving sister, she had already consoled him with soothing words of pity. But a good sister also needed to point out the errors of her brother’s ways.

I didn’t, he argued. I had cereal in my mouth when she clamped her lips on me. It wasn’t a kiss. I was...chewing.

Mindy thrust her hands onto her hips. She almost laughed. Seriously? I suppose that’s why Sami Jo looked so starry-eyed afterward...because of the Lucky Charms!

"That shows what you know. Logan folded his arms in a huff. His mouth cracked into a grin. It wasn’t Lucky Charms."

Mindy flopped on the living room sofa and shook her head. Whatever, big brother. Then she softened again. "I guess it wasn’t your fault. Sami Jo should have picked a better time and place...and person. I told her she was gonna get hurt by you."

Her? What about me? Logan challenged. "I’m the one who took the punch." Suddenly, Logan didn’t feel like confiding in anyone. Perhaps his parents could help, but they were in need of rescue themselves.

Mindy cast her gaze through the front room windows to the blue sky and thick forest. Hurry up and wait, she grumbled. I am so-o ready to move on...

Logan observed her readiness by the way she had instantly changed the subject. He grabbed a snack out of the refrigerator and joined her in the living room. His stomach had gone from twisting with emotions to growling in hunger as quickly as his mind had disembarked from pleasure to pain. He considered resilience a noble trait.

"And I mean with everything, Mindy continued. Captain Aimery finally gave us the green light to look for Mom and Dad, and now we have to sit here. How long is it gonna be this time?"

Logan ripped off a bite of cold pizza, being careful to avoid his loose tooth. While he ate, he stared longingly through the back patio doors at Open Waters Lake. He was eager to rescue his parents too, but even at the age of sixteen, he had learned that there was a time and a place for everything. Retreating. Advancing. Retreating from advancing girls...

Samantha’s forwardness had put Logan in a tough spot and had alienated Kyle—and after all the progress Logan, Mindy, and the others had made to crack the bully’s granite exterior. Logan needed to retreat from Mindy’s advancements too. She wanted to dive right into that sea of adversity of which he was the king crab. But jumping off a rocky cliff before taking the time to evaluate the water’s depth and temperature was unwise. True, every adult trapped on Mesa Island would be food for the Nulenacs. True, everyone under the age of twenty would soon become slaves scattered among the stars. And unless they put a stop to it, the Nulenacs would carry out their evil schemes until all of humanity was annihilated. Even the crewmembers aboard Shadowind were prisoners and subject to Fuleric’s murderous plot. Despite the increasing peril and decreasing time, they needed to gauge their enemies—scout out their weaknesses and exploit them. Logan wondered if the Nulenacs had any disadvantages. From what he had seen and heard, the aliens were incredibly strong, were ultra-intelligent, and possessed vastly superior weapons and armor. They could even telepathically alter a person’s sight and perception.

Logan found himself chomping furiously on his pizza. As he gazed at his sister’s dark and stormy features, her face suddenly blurred. Startled, he stopped chewing.

He had witnessed the aberration before. While in Computerworld’s Amazon rain forest, Mindy’s face had gone out of focus. Logan had attributed it to the rivers of sweat that had flowed into his eyes. What was it this time? His jaw gnashing at jackhammer speed against a wobbly tooth? He blinked several times and looked at her again. If lasers were brown, her eyes would have bored holes through his skull and the wall behind him too. Her appearance had returned to normal. Logan surmised that the bright sunlight filtering through the lacy curtains must have momentarily affected his vision. Even though her clarity had come back, Logan’s appetite did not. He tossed the unfinished pizza into the garbage.

The front door banged open, followed by the tromping of footsteps. It seemed that most everyone in the village was streaming in. After the usual greetings, the group made themselves at home by raiding the fridge and cupboards and sitting anywhere they found an opening. The small house—nearly identical to all the others—had become a sort of headquarters. Villagers tended to hold meetings there, dodge monsters, or simply hang out while waiting for Logan and Mindy to return from quests.

We couldn’t find Kyle anywhere, Westley said, sitting on the sofa next to Mindy. "We looked in all the houses, in the forest, and on the beach. There’s no sign of him. He must be really mad this time."

It’s all my fault! Samantha said. No one piped up to deny it.

You don’t suppose the Sillies got him, do you? Connor asked.

He listens to Pete more than he listens to any of us, Zac declared. Everyone agreed with consenting nods and mumbles.

Samantha gazed at Connor, her younger brother. But he’s not stupid. He would never listen to Pete again. She squirmed at her own assessment. Would he?

No, he wouldn’t, Mindy said, sticking up for him. He’s probably just walking around, blowing off steam. It’s easy to hide in Dark Forest. You guys weren’t gone long. You probably just missed him.

We wanted to get back here as quick as we could, Westley confessed. We all want to find our moms and dads. We don’t want to miss it.

We’re still waiting on Captain Aimery, Logan said. I think he’s working on a plan. We need to be patient.

Near the front door, joyous voices erupted. A moment later, the door swung open, and a man wearing a plaid suit and a striped tie stepped in. Watchman Danby had barely mouthed a greeting when Mindy jumped to her feet.

The watcher’s here! Mindy cheered. "I thought we’d be waiting for hours. Now maybe we can get started! She stared at her friend as if he couldn’t possibly be standing there. I thought you were on the ship—in your quarters. That’s a long ways away."

Like thirty miles or so, Logan added.

I wormed here, Danby answered while straightening his tie. Need I remind you that the TBTs are in perfect working order once again? Now that the mainframe has been restored, we can travel from quadrant to quadrant quick as a wink. And not a moment too soon, I daresay. From what I understand, we have much ground to cover before we cross Chasm Bridge. So pack your things, and we shall be on our way.

Already did, Logan said. My backpack and I are ready to go. We’ve been waiting for the go-ahead.

Consider my suit and tie your green light, Danby said.

I don’t think that’s possible, Ella, the littlest girl, commented. You’ve got too many plaids and stripes.

Danby smiled and lovingly rubbed her head. He stepped up to the window and parted the curtains just enough to peer through.

"Captain Aimery mentioned that you must bring the artifacts