Crake dismounted and drew his jagged and cruel looking sword. Dark grey eyelids slid sideways across the surface of his eyes and he scanned the grass very carefully. Janyilid's second eyelids allow them to detect heat and right now Crake was staring at a square of heat. Crake guessed correctly that the heat was seeping from the edges of a door leading to a Zephod tunnel system.
He returned to his Cara cara, retrieved his distress horn and blew loudly. Within minutes, Crake was standing at the door entrance with 500 battle hardened Brachanids behind him.
"Zephod cowards!" began Crake. "We, the feared Midnight Army are here, if you come out now we will spare your worthless lives and you will find sanctuary in our lands, wanting for nothing! If you do not, and decide to spurn my great generosity, there will be no mercy! There will not be another dawn! I will spare no man, no woman and no child! The tunnels will run red with your blood!"
Inside the Lion's Den
Penny and Jack were ushered through the large wooden door hastily and it was immediately slammed shut behind them.
"It is so good to see you Miss Penny," said the very pale and very thin-faced man.
"Likewise, Brinmad, it's very good to see you too," replied Penny.
"It's been ages since you were here last, how long has it been?" asked Brinmad.
"Just a year, Brinmad, it really wasn't that long ago. Although, this visit shall be my last I am sad to say, I have decided to retire you see, I'm getting too old for all the adventure and excitement. May I introduce Jack; he will be the new carrier," said Penny, turning and smiling to Jack.
Brinmad bowed low. "It's an honour to meet you, young sir. Indeed, any friend of Miss Penny is a friend of mine and all Zephods for that matter, we owe her so much. And the new carrier no less, indeed this is an honour," he said.
"Thank you," said Jack looking a little embarrassed and a lot confused.
"I need to speak with Dev as a matter of urgency, Brinmad, can you find out if he is available?" asked Penny in a very business-like tone.
"Of course, Miss Penny, right away." With that, Brinmad saluted, spun and zoomed off into the gloom of the tunnel. Zephods are extremely fast, particularly underground.
"What is this place? What do you mean, this is your last visit? What were those things chasing us? What do you mean 'new carrier'? Is that a magic stone? How did we get here? What on earth is going on?" questioned Jack in a fit of utter confusion.
Penny smiled a warm and friendly smile and began to chuckle to herself, quiet at first then louder and louder, until she was almost crying. Still confused, Jack began to chuckle too, although he did not really know why.
"My dear boy, you must be so confused. Let us sit while we wait for Brinmad to get back to us and I will fill in a few gaps for you," said Penny, controlling her laughter.
"This, Jack, is planet Arithis. As I told you earlier, it is an exact mirror image of our own Earth. The countries are all in the same place, but there are some big differences, not just the inhabitants. We are currently sitting in a tunnel that on our planet would be in Normandy in France. You may have noticed that the place where we arrived used to be a sea. Well, that would have been where the English Channel would have been. There are no seas on this planet, Jack, they were stolen."
If it were possible, Jack now looked even more confused than he did before Penny had begun explaining.
"Stolen? But who steals a sea? And how?" he asked, scratching his head.
"Long, long ago, when the dinosaurs walked upon our world, lived a magnificent and advanced race called the Ungan Dazafs. Some believe the Ungan Dazafs to be a race from another world, maybe from a neighbouring galaxy that seek out new places for food and resources. They settle, use and take what they want and move on. It seems that somehow, they have managed to rid the planet of all of its seas and then vanish without a trace, apart from the stones that is," said Penny.
"Like the magic stone you have?" asked Jack.
"Precisely," said Penny. "As you know, this is the Great Stone of Waking Veil. There are six great stones in total. Four are held by those entrusted to use them for good and two are missing. I suppose you could think of the stones as being magical, but I like to think of them as being part of a science that we do not truly understand. The Ungan Dazafs somehow managed to form the stones using powers and skills way beyond our comprehension. They are all different, but all very powerful and all have one thing in common. Light, they all need light to work, which is why I leave mine in a flowerpot in the greenhouse!"
"I know it can transport you from Earth to here and make you jump high, but what else can it do?" asked Jack.
"Indeed, Jack, and as I mentioned earlier, there really is no need to worry, it can also get us home again. The power of this stone is huge and even though I have had it for over ninety years I only know a little of its capabilities. One thing I know for sure is that it somehow extends life. I am 112 years old and as fit as a fiddle. It seems that this power is quite far reaching too, for instance the people in your village, Little Bottombump are all very good for their age too. You must have noticed that," said Penny.
"So you think it is the power of the stone that keeps Mavis Davis jogging?" asked Jack.
"I am certain of it, Jack, look at me I am 112 years old now and don't feel a day over fifty!" replied Penny. "The stone will allow you to jump very high, in fact through experimenting I have even managed to jump as high as 200 metres, but you can't technically fly with it, just up and down. The man we will meet in a while is called Dev Pron, he is the leader of the Zephods and carrier of Great Stone of Haffin Thorpe. It is the power of that stone which is responsible for the invisible door we discovered. His stone can hide things, ours can find things."
"So what are these Zephod things? Are they like humans? They have the strangest fingers," said Jack.
"The Zephods are very similar to humans, but they are a different species. They do look a lot like us, but there are a few differences, as well as the fingers. They have better eyesight than us, especially in the dark. They are more muscular and interestingly have a second heart, a sort of back up heart," replied Penny.
"The thing is, Jack, not a great deal of the planet is inhabitable any more and it is a struggle to survive for all species. Planet Earth is comparatively well resourced you see, we currently have well over seven billion humans and rising. This planet could not even support one million, it is that bad. Here they have huge ice caps, vast regions of desert and weather that is very unpredictable and very dangerous. Regular hurricanes, tornados, tsunamis and earthquakes. It is not a happy place, but we are here to help."
"So why are there different creatures and beings here? I thought it was exactly the same as our planet, even in the same galaxy," said Jack.
"Nobody really knows for sure, some believe that the Ungan Dazafs took something from the sun long ago. Some believe that the different neighbouring galaxies have an influence on this planet, but we just don't know," said Penny.
Just as Penny finished speaking a rather flushed Brinmad appeared out of the dark of the tunnel.
"He? he, will s? s? see you know, miss," said a rather out breath Brinmad.
The Three Carriers
Brinmad led Jack and Penny into the oppressive darkness of the Zephod tunnel system, lit dimly by a strange glowing orb that Brinmad held in his hand.
The tunnels were large and did not smell particularly pleasant at all. Jack thought to himself that it smelt a bit like the boys changing room at school mixed with sewage. He was quite familiar with the smell of sewage as the ancient waste pipes in Jack's house were forever bursting, which was not pleasant at all. Jack noticed that the walls looked as though they had scratch marks all over them.
"What are those scratches?" he asked.
"The scratches? Those are from our fingers, Jack; we dig out the tunnels using our bare hands. Zephods are expert diggers you know," replied Brinmad.
On they walked. Down, then up, then left, then right. On a
nd on. Jack noticed that occasionally they would walk past a wooden door neatly constructed on the side of the tunnel.
"What are behind the doors?" he asked.
"Those are quarters, Jack, where we live. In fact, the one you just passed is mine, it's where I live with my family. I will take you there a little later and you can meet my son, he is about the same age as you. His name is Bafflebod, I know the name may sound funny to your kind, but in Zephod it means 'little warrior'. He is due to start his warrior training tomorrow."
On and on they walked, eventually arriving at a huge wooden door which looked exactly the same as the one Penny revealed when they entered the tunnels. Brinmad tapped on the door with his long thin fingers, drumming out an elaborate pattern. The door shuddered and began to swing open, light sprang out and flooded the tunnel hurting Jack's eyes which had grown accustomed to the intense darkness.
A tall Zephod dressed in full battle armour stood in the doorway, looked at them suspiciously and then gestured for the three of them to enter. Brinmad led them onwards through well-lit tunnels which were painted in bright colours. The paintings showed a variety of scenes from what Jack guessed were great battles fought by the Zephods.
The three of them arrived at a large red door, again Brinmad drummed a tune and it swung open. This time there was no warrior on the other side. What lay within was just a large chamber, very well lit, full of statues and painted walls. In the centre of the room was a table and sat at that table was just one man. Dev Pron, the leader of the Zephods.
Dev Pron was a very tall and muscular Zephod, his skin was darker than most due to his spending a lot of time above the ground hunting and tracking water. He had long black hair that rested neatly upon his shoulders and a moustache and goatee which were immaculately trimmed.
"Welcome, Penny, and welcome to you, young master Jack," said Dev rising from his chair. "To what do owe this great pleasure?"
"It's great to see you, Dev, you look well. I have come to introduce you to Jack, the new carrier of the stone. I have come to ask that you train him as a warrior as your people once trained me many years ago. I have come to say goodbye, for this is my last visit. I am 112, Dev, and feel that I need a well-earned rest," said Penny.
"Well it is with a heavy heart we meet then, Miss Penny," said Dev bowing low out of courtesy. "May I ask why you have chosen this boy as the Great Stone's new carrier?"
"The boy has a pure soul, he is good and that is a very rare thing nowadays in my world. He is bright, fit and keen to learn. He is the perfect blank canvas, I am sure you will see that I am right, I have watched him for a very long time and know he comes from a good, honest family," replied Penny.
"I trust your decision completely," said Dev, again bowing. "You have been a source of infinite help to my people over the years and we are forever indebted to you, I am very grateful for all you have done and for choosing a new carrier to help us and the other peaceful races of this world to stand up against our cruel foe. So, young Jack, what do you think about all of this?"
"Well, Mr Pron, to be honest with you I am still enormously confused by all of this, but if I can help in any way then I will. But I am just a little boy, I don't think I will be able to help much at all I'm afraid," said Jack.
Dev smiled and placed a hand on Jack's shoulder. "You have chosen well, Miss Penny; I am sure of it. The boy's training will start tomorrow. For now, take them back to the habitation tunnels, you can stay with Brinmad if that's OK with you? You will be safe there. But for now, I must leave you, I have reports that a Brachanid scout party is overhead so I am afraid you have no choice but to stay overnight."
"That is no problem with me, sir," said Brinmad. "It would be an honour."
"But what about home?" asked Jack. "My father will be expecting me home; he will be worried sick. I am going to need to go home."
"It is not as bad as you may think, Jack," said Penny. "I told you that there were some big differences, time is probably the biggest. Ten hours on this planet is just like one hour on ours. You will be late home, but it will not be anywhere near as bad as you think."
"Why does time run more slowly here?" asked Jack.
"We don't know for sure, but again, some believe that has something to do with the Ungan Dazaf and the way they used to harness the power of the sun. There is a lot we don't know I'm afraid," chuckled Penny.
"Brinmad, can you please take them now. I am going to need to prepare a welcome party for our 'uninvited guests'. Assemble the warriors!" Commanded Dev, turning away from Penny and Jack abruptly.
Brinmad nodded and ushered Jack and Penny out of the room and back towards the habitation tunnels.
Dev pulled on some light armour, slung a quiver of arrows across his back, grabbed his sword and bow, and marched out to join the assembling troops.
"Zephods! Prepare for battle!" He roared.
The Battle on the Cliffs
"I will spare no man, no woman and no child! The tunnels will run red with your stinking blood!" screamed Crake.
As soon as Crake had uttered his last word, an arrow whistled through the air at terrific speed straight towards his head. In a blur of movement, Crake spun and caught the arrow with ease. Crake snapped the arrow and identified the source. A small group of Zephods had climbed out of a secret hole about 100 metres from where the company of Brachanids had assembled and had begun firing arrows at a blistering rate. The Brachanids were showered with wave after wave of arrows. Zephod soldiers are very well trained warriors and superb marksmen and this was a perfect lesson in accuracy. Brachanid after Brachanid fell, the Cara caras bellowed and rose up on their hind legs in fear, throwing many of their riders to the ground. There was panic in the Brachanid ranks and still the arrows mercilessly poured towards them.
"Pull back to the cliff's edge!" ordered Crake sensing the disorder and the rising number of casualties his unit were suffering.
Immediately the remaining Brachanids turned and retreated, leaving around twenty dead or mortally wounded behind including one motionless Cara cara.
The Brachanids reached the cliff's edge, turned, formed a line and charged. Faster and faster they travelled, long, jagged, cruel looking swords held out ahead of them.
The Zephods were now reinforced and one hundred of them stood in a row, bows poised and stone faced. In the centre of the line stood Dev Pron wearing a brown cloak which fluttered freely in the light spring breeze. In his left hand, Dev held the Great Stone of Haffin Thorpe.
The Brachanids galloped into range and the Zephods began to fire their arrows at an even faster rate than before. Brachanid after Brachanid fell from their Cara cara's backs. Closer and closer the remaining Brachanids, led by Crake, approached. Dev stepped forwards and calmly drew an intricate shape on the surface of the stone with his right thumb. A deafening bang rang out as the stone produced a huge wave of energy that rushed out to meet the oncoming Brachanid warriors.
The wave struck, stopping all instantly and sending them hurtling backwards. The arrows continued to pour down on them.
The last handful of Brachanids did their best to remount their Cara caras and began to retreat, the arrows continued to pour and pour. Of the 500-strong Brachanid company, just twenty-two remained, injured and retreating towards the cliff pass. Amongst the small remaining number was Crake Zee. He was wounded with two arrows protruding from his right arm and blood across his face where he had taken a heavy fall from his Cara cara, but he was alive.
A huge cheer erupted from the Zephod line as their enemy disappeared down the cliff pass defeated and the arrow onslaught finally ceased.
"Men, bury the dead and tend to the living. Those who live we shall take as prisoners," ordered Dev. "They know where we are now, we are going to have to act fast. Send scouts for help from the other local tunnels. This is a big defeat for the Brachanids, they won't take this well and will certainly be back and in much greater numbers. We must be ready to leave these lands as soon as possible, by tomorrow night
at the latest." With that, Dev spun and returned to his chamber underground.
Jack could hear the battle going on overhead. After being led from Dev's main chamber, Jack and Penny had returned to the habitation side of the Zephod tunnel complex. Brinmad had opened the wooden door in the side of the tunnel they passed earlier and introduced them both to his son, Bafflebod.
Jack and Bafflebod hit it off immediately. Bafflebod took him to his bedroom and showed Jack how to play some traditional Zephod games. They had just begun a game of Weling Snood (similar to draughts on our planet, but in 3D) when the battle broke out above.
"Don't worry, Jack, you are safe here. The tunnels are protected by the Great Stone," said Bafflebod. "And besides, the Zephod warriors are exceptional fighters, in fact I am going to begin my training to be a warrior tomorrow."
"Me too," said Jack.
"That's amazing, we will train together. How long are you staying?" asked Bafflebod.
"Not for long I don't think; I am going to need to get back soon as my dad will be worried about me. But I will be back, I am to be the next carrier," said Jack.
"Really! That is so exciting, do you have the stone now?" asked Bafflebod.
"No, Penny still has it, but I think she wants to pass it on to me. It's all a bit nerve wracking and confusing if I am honest with you. I don't really know why she chose me but it is exciting I guess. What happens in training?" asked Jack.
"I don't really know what to expect either, Jack. Zephods are superb archers, so I hope that we will begin with that, I have always wanted to have a go with a real bow and arrow," said Bafflebod. "My dad made me a small one when I was younger, but I was never very good at it. You have to be quite strong to be able to hold the bow steady and as you can see, I am not the most powerful of Zephods."
"I am sure you will be a brilliant archer, if that's what you want. It's just practise, practise, practise. Well, at least that what my teacher say about anything, I think she is probably right," said Jack.