I understood now what Sako’s assistant Toe meant when he said that Them were intruding on Everville on all fronts. Them had nearly overtaken all of the border worlds and had moved beyond the vast expanse. Them were now intruding upon eight corresponding lands within Everville and the effects were clearly being felt. Them had never intruded upon more than one of the eight lands. This is why the situation was so dire.
This also meant that Them had to have had cooperation between the Fron in each of the corresponding lands as well as help from races in each of the eight border worlds that surrounded The Other In Between.
It was also apparent that the influence of both Everville and The Other In Between would be felt in the earthly realm. The actions we took as humans had a kind of positive feedback for good or for evil. It would enhance or inhibit Them, which would serve to further weaken or strengthen the influence of The Other In Between in the earthly realm.
I could not see Them directly, but their effects could be seen like a vast cloud of billowing darkness and smoke that was flowing through the vast expanse and was seeping into Everville. This cloud of darkness was not visible on earth, but it affected the thoughts and motivations of all humans.
The Keeper pulled me into his mind. I experienced his journey through the Deep Woods and his visit with the giants. He had taken me to the fork in the tunnels underneath the great desert.
EVERVILLE CHAPTER 20
THE TUNNELS
Carywn and Dagda followed the map’s direction and took the tunnel on the right. The passageway opened up and was much larger than the tunnel leading up to the fork. The farther they pressed forward the larger the tunnel became.
The walls glistened with the same luminescent properties as the underground catacombs leading to The Keeper’s Workshop. Massive stalactites hung from the ceiling, but they were not made of any material I recognized. They glowed with an eerie light blue and pulsated like giant worms writhing in the soil.
They continued walking until they approached a point where water was trickling from the ceiling. The trickling grew more pronounced until it started to flow like a steady stream. The farther they walked, the wetter the ground became. The slippery wet ground gave way to small puddles that led to a large underground river that split in two directions.
Carwyn walked carefully as the slippery ground made it almost impossible to keep a steady footing. Eventually he stopped and took out the map to inspect it. As he looked at the hand drawn map, he grew more concerned. The river was there, but there was no indication that it split in two or which direction to take. Carwyn was hoping the divide would merge back together farther downstream, but he could not be certain.
Dagda winced and whimpered. Carwyn could hear an unusual sound coming from one of the passageways. The sound quickly grew louder until it was almost deafening. They were nearly knocked down as a large hoard of flying bat-like creatures invaded their space with no apparent regard for their presence.
Carwyn managed to duck down just before the flying creatures reached his position. He was a little shaken by their sudden appearance but managed to take a quick glimpse at one of their faces. The flying creatures did look remarkably like bats with the exception of their features. They had long pointed noses that curved downward at the tip and were larger than the rest of their heads. The noses were certainly quite peculiar and he wondered what special function beyond smell they might serve.
Carwyn had never seen such hideous creatures throughout his entire life. The small insects and animals in Everville were beautiful and magnificent. At that moment, his heart skipped a beat. It was perhaps the first instance of genuine terror he felt. While he was certainly apprehensive and concerned in the Deep Woods, this was different. He thought that if these seemingly harmless creatures could be so hideous, the dangerous animals the giants warned him about must be truly ferocious. He could not even conceive of the possible horror they might invoke.
His flirtation with terror, however, proved fleeting. Dagda was a truly magnificent marmook, and the marmook were friendly and inspiring animals. Looking at Dagda brought back pleasant memories of his home and the village. He thought of the vibrant meadows, the rolling hills, and how the warm sun greeted him on each and every day. He also found solace in the fact that Dagda represented the goodness and hope of Everville.
Carwyn did not realize it at the time, but his good cheer was also accompanied by great courage. It was just starting to rise to the surface, but it would be greatly apparent at a time when he would need it the most. He was certainly going to need it in The Valley of Darkness.
Dagda drew Carwyn’s attention back to the task at hand by carefully inspecting the sides of the walls on each side of the river. Only a few feet of ground separated the sides of the walls from the precipice of the river on either side, but Dagda seemed more at ease with the route on the left.
He carefully placed one foot in front of the other one step at a time. As they made their way through the tunnel, he held on tightly to any piece of stone he could find protruding out of the side of the wall to help give him some added stability. Slowly, cautiously, and very carefully they made steady progress.
Carwyn stepped forward, losing his grasp on the wall. He nearly lost his balance and wobbled precariously close to the edge of the precipice. The distance from the edge to the river had widened significantly as they had continued along the way. A small stone tumbled over the edge banging the sides of the wall below the footpath and echoing all the way down until it made a small splash into the river giving a sense of just how vast the distance was that separated them from the river below.
Dagda did his best to steady Carwyn’s footing with his small body. Carwyn managed to stop the wobbling and regained his balance.
He stepped one foot forward, and then he slipped.
Dagda watched in horror as Carwyn fell farther and farther towards the river surface until he made contact with the surface and then created a loud splash.
Carwyn plunged deep into the depths of the underground river. The luminescent glow of the walls faded into black as he fell deeper and deeper towards the river bottom.
Dagda dived in after him. Unfazed by the distance, cold, and darkness, he plunged in head-first after his companion. He swam vigorously down deep into the water until finally, his small hands brushed against Carwyn’s side. Dagda pulled with all his might. He bit down into Carwyn’s clothing and grabbed as much of the cloth as possible with his limited strength.
He held his breath as long as he could until finally they reached the surface. Fortunately, the marmook had lots of fat, which made them relatively buoyant even in fresh water. Dagda held Carwyn up at the surface as they floated down the river. Finally, they were carried toward a large stone that broke the surface. Dagda pulled Carwyn up as much as possible against the stone and fastened his shirt around a small sharp section of the rock.
Suddenly, I found myself back in my dorm room. Dante and Anika had let themselves in and were tapping me on my shoulder. They had broken the connection I had made with Everville.
I would have to wait to discover the fate of The Keeper’s journey as a young Fron.
EVERVILLE CHAPTER 21
EATING OUT
Once again, I slept well and eagerly hoped this pattern would continue. I had grown tired of waking up mid-morning and was happy to have a brief respite from extreme fatigue, even if it was just for a couple of days.
It had been a while since I had woken up prior to the arrival of Anika and Dante, and I finally had a moment to collect my thoughts. After replaying some of the events from the other day in my head, I decided it would be a good time to meet up with Anika and Zee and practice for the Roundabout.
Zee and Anika were apparently thinking the same thing as they were already at the Art Club practicing when I arrived.
“Pick up a stick.”
There was hardly time to collect my bearings before Zee lunged at me with his spectacular-looking bo staff. The staff, used for
sparring in the Roundabout, was purple and black and covered in a shiny lacquer. It was a good five feet long and a solid two inches in diameter.
Immediately I was put on defense, struggling to fend off blows. A couple of times he was able to make contact with my wrists, which caused a very unpleasant stinging sensation. He continued to attack, one strike after another. Each time I was pushed back closer to the wall until he had me pinned against the corner.
He had caught me completely off guard. My stunned state allowed him to make an undefended attack on my left leg. His bo was about to strike just before Anika blocked him, preventing the staff the opportunity to make contact.
She had maneuvered herself into a position of leverage and was able to use his body weight against him. Anika was equally aggressive and had apparently quickly picked up whatever technique he had taught her in my absence. Her offensive strategy was nearly successful, but Zee eventually was able to regain a superior position. This time, however, we were both on our guard, and he had to contend with both of us.
The sparring continued for a good half hour before we exhausted ourselves. I was completely out of breath. It was clear that Zee and Anika were in much better shape, which meant I was at a distinct disadvantage. This would have to change if we were going to have any chance at defeating Drusilla and her team in the Roundabout.
Zee handed me a bottle of mineral water and I quickly opened it up, gulping it down as quickly as was humanly possible. Sweat ran down my face trickling down my nose and chin. It gradually made its descent to the ground one drop at a time making a dull thud with each impact.
With the exception of my heavy breathing, I sat motionless for several minutes until I was able to quench my parched throat and catch my breath.
Zee had waited long enough and wanted to continue teaching us the remaining games that would be part of the Roundabout. Over the next several hours he instructed us on each of the different parts of the competition. They were all unique in their own way, and he had a room dedicated to each. Some games required agility and strength, while others required significant mental prowess. Each game emphasized its own special skill. He went over some specific strategies for each and explained the training that would be required if we were going to be prepared for each category. I was starting to grasp just how intense and difficult this competition was going to be.
I wondered how Dante was fairing with his own training. He was likely struggling with the same issues I was, since athletics had never been either of our strong suits. I’m sure he had similar concerns, but the winning prize was probably sufficient motivation for him to train as hard as possible.
My days and weeks were starting to get filled up as training with the Echo Club, the Art Club, and the occasional excursions into the nether regions of Everville took up significant blocks of time. While I was still easily able to keep up with my studies, I was left little time for other pursuits.
Zee invited Anika and I to a nice restaurant and informed us that Drusilla and Dante would also be attending. Apparently, it was a rather swanky affair, and I would need to wear a proper suit and tie. I did not mind. I was actually happy to have the opportunity to engage in some of the social aspects of college that I had been neglecting over the past few weeks.
I had a few hours before the dinner reservation and decided to head back to the dorm. Anika was going to meet up with us later at the restaurant, so I walked alone.
My alarm woke me up in what seemed like only a few moments after I had started my nap, but I felt sufficiently rested nonetheless. I looked in my closet and selected the only suit I owned. It did not get much wear as I rarely had the opportunity to attend formal affairs or fancy dinners, but it still looked rather spiffy. The tie always gave me a little difficulty, and it usually took a few tries before the front and back end were in proper alignment.
I looked in the mirror momentarily admiring my appearance and making sure I was properly groomed with my hair correctly in place. For a second, it appeared as if my reflection was out of place and moved on its own. After double-checking my reflection, I walked out of the room and headed for the restaurant.
We met up in the lobby of the restaurant as we waited for our table. Dante and Zee were both wearing suits, but Zee’s was noticeably fancier. It was perfectly fitted and had a sleek narrow lapel. The charcoal grey was accentuated nicely by the pink shirt and maroon tie. Dante and I were both wearing black suits with only blue and white shirts providing any distinction between the two of us.
My eyes were drawn to Anika. I had never seen her dressed so nicely. Although she had worn a lovely dress to the prom, even the prettiest prom dress had a tendency to look unnatural and overly showy. The outfit she was wearing now was certainly not. It was simple, elegant, and sexy.
Drusilla was not to be outdone. She was wearing an eye-catching and form-fitting red satin dress. Dante had clearly taken notice but was trying his best not to stare.
Our table was finally ready, and the host escorted us to our tables. The restaurant’s atmosphere was impressive. The décor was stylish and edgy, and it seemed to have the clientele to match. Looking at the menu, it was clear it had the prices to match as well. It was a good thing Zee was treating us.
“I recommend the escargot,” Zee said. “They are very tasty. If you haven’t had them, I would say they taste like a cross between shrimp and scallops.”
Although the thought of cooked snails did not repulse me as much as I thought it might, I had my eyes set on a nice juicy steak.
“Would you like anything to drink?”
Zee and Drusilla both ordered glasses of wine. Being too young to drink, I ordered a diet soda.
I breathed in the atmosphere and really enjoyed the opportunity to relax for a change. The food arrived promptly, and we engaged in small talk as we ate.
So far, Zee and Drusilla were turning out to be rather friendly, at least it seemed like that on the surface. I was still not sure why Zee and Drusilla and had taken an interest in us, but at the moment it did not seem to matter.
It was a nice dinner, and for a time, I was comfortable. I wasn’t sure how long it could last, but I was enjoying myself.
EVERVILLE CHAPTER 22
LESSONS
On the following day, Cleophas and Avery had called in Anika, Dante, and I to learn some additional lessons. It was a sign that we had earned their trust, but it also meant that with that trust came great responsibility.
I wondered exactly how much Cleophas knew about my situation or what I needed to do in order to be successful in stopping Them. I figured Avery had already discussed my situation with Cleophas, but perhaps that was not even necessary since Cleophas had demonstrated intuitive knowledge on everyone else in the Echo Club during the first meeting.
We met in the back room. The grad students readied the book ladders and then started climbing. As they approached the top of the bookshelf they revealed a secret compartment. They pulled out a series of objects. I saw a map, a compass, and a small statue.
“I know that each of you felt a connection to your objects the other day. These objects hold significantly more power. While you must learn to harness the power of ordinary objects, it’s more important that you can control great power when you have access to it. You must learn control and humility. Any person can learn to use brute force, but if you are to be successful in your end goal you must not be a slave to power or emotions.”
The mention of our “end goal” suggested to me that Cleophas probably knew as much about my situation as The Keeper, which was reassuring.
“Most of the members here will not progress much farther than where they are now, but each of you has a greater destiny. Before you move any further, you must learn to control your ability to find and channel the connections that exists between objects and events. Otherwise, it is the power that will control you. Once you do this, we can move on to even more advanced pursuits.”
This made a lot of sense. I had already sensed I was begi
nning to be able to harness the power of certain objects, but control is what I needed, and quickly.
Anika was given the statue, Dante was handed the map, and I received the compass. The moment I touched the compass, I was nearly knocked to the ground. The flood of the emotions was so intense I couldn’t see or feel anything clearly. I was blinded by intense light and was unable to make out any discernable images. There was intense pressure, like a great wind or water rushing towards me. My hands snapped back as if I had just touched a searing hot stove.
It took a few moments to collect myself. Judging from the expressions on their faces, Anika and Dante must have had similar experiences.
“You see! If you come in contact with great power, you must not be overwhelmed by it. The secret to controlling great power is the same secret that you must apply in your daily life when you are faced with great challenges. You must calm yourself and quiet your mind. Learn to filter the distractions and focus on the key elements that really matter.
“The answer you seek lies in learning to combine the power of reason with the passion of emotion. If you let reason alone control your choices, you lose the power of intuition. If you let emotion control your choices, you will be a slave to every minor tragedy.
“Think of it as the method of combining free will and destiny. Neither truly exists alone. Most people usually accept one or the other. This is why most people are so limited. If you fail to accept the concept of free will, you will never apply yourself. If you accept free will alone, you will never open yourself to the power of providence and might never fully accept the notion of good or evil. Both limitations can be very dangerous things.
“In order to read the connections of objects with great power, you must first learn to ignore them. Then, you must learn to listen quietly to the subtleties they speak. Once you can do that, the clutter of base emotions will no longer overwhelm you.