Chapter 8 - The Great Juncture
“So, you’re in Tyrone. You were supposed to send an army to Sylonia!” snapped the Tyronian Overlord angrily.
His name was Gylith, and he was the Master of all the Shadows in Udicia. His hair was long and black, his face cruel and sinister, and he wore a long black robe that almost touched the ground. Under the robe he wore the black, tight-fitting uniform of the Shadows from the Galactic Empire. He also held a staff that sported a dark glowing orb.
The President composed himself, wondering who the hell this man thought he was, getting angry at him. “How dare you talk to me like that!” He tried to sound angry, after all that happened with that Sylonian agent. “That is my damn country and my people! I’ll sort out my affairs! The only thing we’ve got to discuss is getting me back home!”
Enraged, Gylith lifted his staff. A dark energy flowed out. It was turning in an anti-clockwise direction, bringing the President to his knees. “Bow to me! Bow to your Master!”
“What the...” started the President, shocked. He stared at his hands. They were transforming. He was turning black.
‘You see,” sneered Gylith, “it’s not all that it seems. I am your Master, and you are another one of my pathetic Lords that failed to hold their posts!”
The President stared into a mirror on an adjacent wall and saw his black form and piercing red eyes.
“Now I no longer have any use for you,” said Gylith holding up his staff. Suddenly, a dark power radiated from his staff again, and the President’s Shadow form was being sucked towards it.
“No, don’t! No!” screamed the President. His black shadowy body was being sucked into the staff like a big vacuum cleaner. After a short moment he was gone.
“Now that’s better,” said Gylith rubbing his body. “Now I can keep an eye on you.”
***
Agents Meln and Remm, who had made it into the court-yard of Gylith’s palace, had seen the whole thing.
“My God!” said Remm. “What the hell are they?”
“I don’t know,” said Meln, looking around for his men who were hiding in the courtyard, “but there’s been a change of plan. Everyone, pull out! I repeat, pull out! The President has been,” he paused looking at Remm, still in disbelief at what they had seen, “terminated!”
Just as they were about escape the way they had come, a man stood in their path.
“This way,” urged Withers, and suddenly they were out in the forest a few kilometres away.
***
Meln held his energy-bolt weapon up at Withers. “Who are you?”
Although the other agents had their weapons trained on him, they were a little edgy as they knew what Withers was capable of.
“Daniel Withers,” replied Withers, eyeing all the energy weapons, “and you can put those down.”
Meln motioned for everyone to put their weapons away, although he still held his. “All right, but start talking.”
“I will answer all your questions, when you put that away!” snapped Withers.
Meln flinched, remembering that Withers had the ability to neutralise their weapons anyway. Reluctantly, he holstered his gun.
“You’re not from Sylonia, are you?” demanded Meln.
“No, I’m from Earth,” Withers replied.
“Earth? Where the hell is that?” asked Remm.
“On the contrary, Agent Remm, I think Udicia is in hell at this point,” said Withers. “I’m here to help change that. Where I’m from is not important at the moment. What is important is where you presently are.”
“All right,” said Meln. “So you’re a good alien from Earth, here to seek out and destroy these dark aliens that have...”
“They’re not aliens,” corrected Withers. “These Shadows, as we call them, were born into your world, just as you were.”
“We saw something in there,” said Remm.
”Oh,” said Withers, “that’s just a glimpse of the next part of your evolution – a time when the Shadows will not be Shadows to you. The only reason you saw them, is because you have tuned in to my vibrations.”
“Vibrations?” queried Meln, puzzled.
“It’s just a higher level of awareness, which normally manifests as heat, if things aren’t correct.”
“OK,” said Meln, “let’s say we believe you about our former President – vibrations or not. What now?”
“I need your help to defeat the Tyronians,” said Withers. “Tyrone is the Great Juncture – the gate, if you like – to a new peaceful life for Udicia. If we win.” He paused, giving the Varlian agents a serious look. “If we lose, more darkness will reign over this world, and ultimately the Shadows will be able to re-conquer planets they have lost, including Earth.”
***
“You’re a Sylonian spy!” said General Veldore accusingly, glaring at Dana Kandor. “So don’t pretend you’re some local peasant. I’m not a fool.”
She knew this realm. Tyrone was in a bad state of affairs. It was completely under the control of the Shadows, very much like the Middle East one hundred years ago on Earth.
The few Gurus she had found were only here from neighbouring countries, trying to make as little impact on the situation as they could. It took a long time for the Tyronian spies to find her.
Veldore was impatient. He could have easily killed her.
Kandor wore a thin tiara around her hair. It was held up in a bun and sat right in the middle of her forehead. There was a symbolic picture on the talisman of a “third eye”, which had started vibrating earlier this morning and was cleverly distinguishing itself, too! Her clothing was typical Tyronian dress for women: high-heeled black boots, tight-fitting dark pants and a cloak.
If she kept his cool and played along a bit, perhaps she could stay alive long enough to be rescued by the Captain.
“Well?” Veldore would have killed anyone in his army who didn’t respond immediately.
“You’re correct,” replied Kandor. “I’m a spy.” Kandor had a feeling this man wasn’t going to take very long to find the real reason she was here.
“Oh, so it talks!” snapped Veldore. He could have easily have threatened to cut her throat open, but that had already been tried by a few of his soldiers. Kandor sported a large bruise around her right eye, but appeared indifferent to the threats. Veldore paced around Kandor, holding the handle of his sword. “Tell me about this terrorist plot of yours. Your agents have been reported to have killed many of our operatives.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” said Kandor.
“You lie!” snapped Veldore. “He had pulled his sword and held it at Kandor’s neck.
Kandor remained calm and took herself to a peaceful place. There was a surge of vibrations from the talisman, and she could feel a cool power around her forehand.
Veldore seemed to notice something in Kandor’s nature that he was unaccustomed to – fearlessness.
“Speak to me!” roared Veldore furiously. He raised his sword.
At that moment, the Tyronian Overlord, Gylith, came into the room. Veldore stiffened in apprehension. Kandor felt a tremendous surge of heat coming from her forehead, signifying that this person radiated much more negativity than all the Lords she had encountered so far.
“Well, well, well,” murmured Gylith, “you’re not a Sylonian spy, are you?”
“She said she was, Sire,” said the General.
“You fool!” snapped Gylith. “She’s a much more dangerous enemy than that.” The Overlord raised his staff and directed it towards Kandor. The top of the staff encased a dark, crude-looking orb, which emanated a powerful dark energy. Kandor knew she could be turned into a Shadow with this power. Gylith’s intention was to kill Kandor immediately, but then he had another thought. Unknown to Gylith, Arden was working behind the scenes to save Kandor. “Throw this Keeper into the arena. My pet is very hungry. This will give the army a bit of entertainment before they leave for Sylonia!”
***
Kandor stood in the middle of a huge arena, watching the crowd of angry Tyronians from behind a high wire fence. They shouted profanities, threw food and cheered in anticipation of the coming event.
She noticed a few meagre objects that were left around the arena for a person to climb on or hide behind, but not much else. Looking further afield, she could see some bones scattered here and there. Apparently, this creature ate almost everything.
A huge gate started opening on the far side of the arena, and the crowd roared in excitement. Kandor couldn’t see anything at first, as it was quite dark beyond the gate.
Suddenly, a huge dark, four-legged beast shot out of the gate and headed straight towards her. It was a dog the size of an elephant, but its head looked like a lion’s.
The crowd’s excitement went up a higher octave, as Kandor ducked behind a large boulder. The beast overshot and skidded to a halt.
It turned and roared savagely at Kandor, drool dripping from the sides of its muzzle.
She felt powerful vibrations coming from the talisman. Her whole forehead was very cool and she directed her attention towards the beast. A surge of invisible power shot out of her face and struck the beast. It was thrown off its feet, becoming airborne, before landing on its back.
Kandor walked towards the beast as the crowd went completely wild. Someone fired an energy-bolt weapon that hit quite close to her. She ignored it and walked gently towards the beast, listening to its loud breathing.
Subtle knowledge through the talisman told her that this beast was not naturally aggressive. In fact, now that she had blasted it with vibrations, it was no more a threat than the family dog.
A huge tongue shot out of the giant dog’s mouth and licked her arm.
“Hey, boy. You wanna get out of this place?”
The Lion-dog lifted its whole head in excitement as another white bolt of energy fire hit the ground close by. The Lion-dog growled in the direction of the blast.
The crowd was frantic now.
The Lion-dog got to its feet, and Kandor started climbing up its fur to position herself on its neck.
Suddenly, from above Withers sailed down to the ground, landing rather roughly on his feet.
“You OK?”
“Can’t you see I have everything under control, sir?” asked Kandor.
“Well, next time I’ll just wait outside,” said Withers with a grin. He eyed the Lion-dog. “Nice pet you got there.”
A barrage of energy bolts was being fired at them now, but they were falling short. His attention in overload, Withers jammed all the energy weapons that he could. Some shots were still getting through, and these he deflected with his Oracle-formed shield.
“That way,” said Withers, looking towards the gate. He jumped up on the back of Kandor’s steed, jamming and deflecting any fire still coming their way.
The Lion-dog raced towards the gate, and the pair had to really hold on. It was fast! They flew out of the gate, just as it was beginning to close.
By this time, Withers sword had re-formed from the Oracle. He was taking care of the soldiers who came too close, while Kandor fired some vibrations, which had started coming out of her hands.
“Let’s get out of here,” said Withers, frantically jamming and deflecting more fire. He imagined a huge bubble of energy around them.
Now, the firing was being absorbed before the beams came anywhere near them.
“That thing amazes me more every time,” commented Kandor.
“You would be surprised how much power you yourself are capable of,” replied Withers.
***
A huge blast of dark energy hit them, knocking them off the dog’s back.
Gylith and two of his Elite Centurions were approaching them. Withers, Kandor and the Lion-dog lay stunned on the ground.
Gylith held up his staff and pointed it at Kandor. Suddenly, a big wave of dark energy shot out of the end of the staff, spiralling in an anti-clockwise direction. It struck Kandor directly on the forehead, and she moaned and fell still.
Withers groped for the Oracle.
“I should have killed you before!” snarled Gylith at Kandor. He switched his stare to Withers. “Once I've finished off your Realm Keeper, your mission here will be over, Guardian.”
He was about to fire another burst, but the Oracle shot out of Withers hand and struck the side of the staff, causing the energy burst to miss.
Gylith turned on Withers, enraged, and fired at him. Withers held the Oracle up in defence, as it increased in size. The dark energy struck the Oracle-shield, and Withers struggled to stay on his feet.
“Perhaps I'll destroy you first,” roared Gylith, directing even more negativity towards Withers.
Withers soon realised that Gylith possessed powers beyond any Shadow Lord or Angel that he'd encountered so far. He could feel a terrible darkness bearing down on him; if he didn't get out of it soon, he would be consumed.
“This will be easier than I thought,” jeered Gylith, watching Withers crumble before him.
Suddenly, the Lion-dog dived in Gylith’s direction, forcing him to take his attention away from Withers. He fired at the dog, which landed dead at his feet.
In the meantime, Withers had positioned himself in front of Kandor, thinking he would sacrifice his life for the Keeper’s. This time, instead of focusing on any form of exchange, his attention went inwards.
“You must become those subtle powers within,” Arden whispered to him.
That’s it! he thought. Tyrone was the Realm of the Great Juncture. All he needed to do was manifest the correct powers for it. He held the Oracle up in front of his forehead.
“Time to die, Guardian,” said Gylith, pointing his staff at Withers.
Gylith fired at Withers again, and he crumbled to the ground. A darkness went over him, and he could feel his life leaving his body.
At that moment, the nearest gate exploded open, and five figures in chariots came charging towards Gylith and his Centurions.
There were fierce exchanges in fire between the Agents and the rest of Gylith’s soldiers.
Meln saw Withers’ body just as it disappeared with a flash of a mandala. He directed his chariot in Kandor’s direction.
While Gylith and the others were distracted, Meln pulled the groggy Kandor to her feet and started loading her onto the chariot.
Meln was about to fire at Gylith and his Centurions, but the vision of him killing the President returned. He was a Dark man. He would leave him to Withers when he came back.
Without warning, Meln lifted his energy-bolt weapon and fired a bolt at a watch-tower that was positioned close to the perimeter fence. It started to fall slowly and then crashed to the ground, creating a huge plume of dust.
When all the dust had settled the Agents, the Keeper and the Guardian were gone, and the Tyronian army were standing there stunned.
Gylith turned to one of his closest Centurions.
“Prepare to invade Sylonia!”
***
“We need to get somewhere safe,” said Meln. “This woman’s health is deteriorating.” Gylith’s dark powers had really taken hold.
They had been riding the chariots across open country-side all day. It was lush and green, with many trees and similar wildlife to Earth. Presently, they went up a sharp incline, which gave them all a grand view.
“Nice!” said Remm. “Look.” He was pointing to a mountain range with a valley in between.
Meln studied the mountains. “That must be the Great Juncture.”
“Yes, that’s the gate to a new life on Udicia,” said Remm. “Beyond there is Utopia.”
Suddenly a mandala enveloped Kandor and she vanished!