Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign (Worlds of the Crystal Moon, Book 1) (49 page)

The manipulator urged, “Maybe we should keep walking. I have a gut feeling you’re not going to be able to sleep once you hear what I have to say.”

Kepler shrugged. “Okay, but what’s troubling you?”

George threw his backpack over his shoulder. “You said the Crystal Moon was protected by this ‘so-called’ god, Bassorine—”

Kepler cut George off. “There is nothing ‘so-called’ about the gods. They are to be revered. You should speak with respect.”

George turned to Kepler. “If this Bassorine was so all powerful, then why was I able to take a piece of his crystal before I fell through the floor? Didn’t you say he protects it? I shouldn’t have been able to take a piece, right?”

“How could you be so foolish?” Kepler snorted his irritation. “Don’t you realize what you’ve done? You’ve doomed us all!” The demon started to pace. “Where is the crystal? And how did you fall through the floor?”

George hesitated, eyeing the giant cat for a moment before he answered. “Now keep calm when I tell you.” He took a deep breath, and thought,
Crap, he’s gonna kill me.
“I don’t know where the piece is.”

The demon let out a deafening roar.

George prepared for the worst, holding his hands up in case Kepler attacked.

The demon’s explosion stopped as he turned to find George’s eyes. The jaguar walked toward the vulnerable human, his muscles rippling beneath his fur as he delivered a stare that cut through George’s soul.

With a cold tone, the jaguar growled, “You’re telling me you have the power to remove a piece of the Crystal Moon, but you have no memory of where you put it. What else haven’t you told me?”

George was scared and desperate. Despite the fact he had readied his hands to turn the cat to stone, he knew the jaguar could sense his fear. He spoke with caution. “I have no idea where the crystal is. I fell through the floor after I grabbed it. Don’t ask me how, but the floor just opened up. I only took the crystal because of a riddle that was written on the statue. The riddle spoke about waking it up.”

“You lie!” Kepler snarled. “I’ve read the statue on a hundred occasions. It says nothing about a riddle.”

George snapped back, seizing what was left of his backbone. “Hey! I didn’t ask to be brought to this world! There was a riddle! Call me a liar again, and I’m gonna get pissed!”

Kepler snorted. The cat was exasperated because of his inability to kill his irritation. “Hmph! Finish your ridiculous story!”

George clenched his fists, but he kept them raised just in case. It took a moment before he was able to take a breath. “The words on the statue said something about three people fighting to recover the pieces of the Crystal Moon.” George continued to relate the rest of the story of everything that had happened and then finished it off by saying, “...and then I landed on some guy named Jason. I had no idea touching the crystal would start a cosmic crisis.”

Kepler snarled. “Put your hands down, George! There’s no struggle between us. Have you not learned anything from your experience with Kroger? We may get angry with one another, but we don’t fight amongst ourselves.”

The giant cat shook his head, snorted and then continued, “I don’t believe you would make up such a ridiculous story, so I’ll accept your foolishness as fact.”

Annoyed, George lowered his hands. Rather than speak, he waited for the demon to continue.

“Alright ... so ... you fell through the floor, and the Crystal Moon disappeared. You have no idea where the people are, the ones you were with in the temple, and you have no idea where the piece is that was in your hand.

“Hmmm … you clearly have enough power to get past Bassorine’s hold on the Crystal Moon, but there are a few things that don’t make sense.”

“What things?” George said as he allowed himself to relax. “Maybe I can clear them up for you.”

Kepler secretly enjoyed the human’s anxiety. “You said you fell on a man named Jason. How long ago was this, and where did this happen?”

George thought back. “About 10 Peaks. It happened south of the Enchanted Forest near Lethwitch.”

The demon’s face was showed his disbelief. “You’re saying ... in 10 Peaks you’ve learned about the map, found out about the cave, learned there was a staff inside it, and then you went in to retrieve the power to turn things into stone. I would like to know how you did all this in such a short span of moments.”

George grinned. “Hold on a second. That’s not everything I’ve done. I also got threatened outside of Lethwitch, and later that night, I robbed the mercantile. I took the proprietor’s coin and used some of it to pay a smelly ass mage for the snare scroll I used on your Saber Lord.”

Kepler laughed for only a moment before he realized what George had said. A quizzical look consumed his expression. “What do you mean, you used a scroll on the Saber Lord?”

“Ah crap,” George blurted. “Damn it, I’ve said too much.” He strolled over to a nearby mound of dirt, plopped down on it and then started flicking ants with his middle finger. With these newly made statues flying toward the bank of the Cripple River, George decided it was best to level with the jaguar by telling the cat the truth.

“Well, big guy, it’s like this. I landed on Jason just like I told you. He was in pain, so I reached in his pack and gave him a liquid that made him talk ... and he talked a lot. Jason told me a secret. The map led me to the staff Kroger broke. He said it was filled with a liquid, and if I drank it, I’d receive the power to turn stuff to stone. Apparently, the staff was meant for some dwarves.”

“Dwarves?” Kepler responded, as if he didn’t know. “What dwarves?”

“Jason told me the dwarves were from a place called Trollcom. I have no clue where that is.”

Kepler pondered for a moment. “How did you know to use the snare scroll when you did? It’s not possible that you knew the Saber Lord was going to attack.”

“I really didn’t,” George admitted. “I got lucky. Before he attacked, I felt like something was watching me. I was creeped out enough that I decided to kneel and use the snare scroll to set the trap. It was just dumb luck the cat ended up where I wanted him.”

“And the way you tortured him?” Kepler inquired. “Why?”

George sighed. “I’m sorry about that, Kep. I was overcome with anger. It wasn’t until I drank the fluid inside the staff that I gained the power to keep you from killing me. I was bluffing you. I have no power other than the ability to turn your ass to stone.”

As George finished telling his side of the story, he flicked another ant statue toward the demon’s feet. “So ... how do you like me now?”

Kepler had to laugh. “You have stalked your prey skillfully, George. You surprise me. To think that after I saw you kill the saber, I feared you. I thought you were a powerful being.”

The jaguar stopped laughing. “I was angry when I watched you torture my subject. To know that you did it only because you lost your temper … interesting. It pains me to know that you have only just now found a power to command. Granted, it’s a solid power, one to be respected ... but you can’t stop me from killing you if I truly want to. This is comforting.”

Kepler let a large smirk appear. “I love irony. Well ... George, my friend ... I shall enjoy our hunts together until the day I cease to exist. You have earned a friend in me.”

The demon plopped onto the ground. “When I think back on it, the look you had on your face during the ogre’s transformation was quite amusing. You didn’t know what was happening. I bet you thought your alliance with me was ruined.

Kepler rose to his haunches. “As funny as that was, we still have a problem. You should not have been able to touch the Crystal Moon, but now that it’s missing, the worlds will come to an end. I wonder how long we have until this happens.”

“I don’t know,” George replied. “But if Bassorine protects the Crystal Moon the way you said he does, then why was I able to take a piece? I had no power to do it. I was just a regular guy. Something else must be going on around here if this Bassorine character is a god.”

“Perhaps,” the demon responded. “I’m sure the answer will be revealed when the moment arrives. For now, I think we should get some rest. We can continue to Lethwitch after we wake.”

George nodded. “I’m down with that.”

George reset the alarm on his watch for a few hours later. Before he went to sleep, he reached for his wallet to retrieve his picture of Abbie. When he opened it, the photo was missing. He rifled through the compartments. The picture was nowhere to be found, but his eyes were too heavy to dwell on it. The exhaustion of the last few Peaks was overwhelming. When he finally fell asleep, he dreamed of Abbie and Athena. The dream made up for the missing photo.

Angels Village

Sam and Shalee walked up the stairs to the top of the landing platform with their trainers. To Sam’s surprise, the griffin, Soresym, had just arrived with the last of the servants from the Temple of the Gods, most of whom were grumbling about the temple closing and being out of work.

Sam walked over to the griffin. “Soresym, how are you?”

The griffin’s eagle head turned to look, his keen eyes expressing his surprise that Sam’s face was sitting on top of a much larger body. “You look familiar, human, but the person I know with that face was much smaller. It’s bad enough that one human should suffer such ugliness, let alone a relation. Who are you?”

Sam rolled his eyes. “You know who I am. It’s a long story ... one where the gods gave me a couple gifts. I have thought of you on many occasions.” The fighter crossed his arms. “Hold up. You think I’m ugly?” Sam smirked. “I suppose it’s hard to compete with your majestic appearance.”

Soresym chuckled. “You jest. Well done, Sam. It’s unexpected to see you, and your look isn’t as tragic as I portray. Perhaps I’ve thought of you as well on an occasion or two. I would like to hear the story of your gifts. Perhaps you would share it with me.”

The griffin took a moment to study Sam’s size. “I also see your female companion is awake.” He redirected his gaze. “The last series of moments in which I saw you, young woman, you were unconscious. Perhaps you would bless my ears with your name.”

Shalee was hesitant to respond, so Sam responded for her. “Soresym, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Shalee.”

“I see,” the griffin responded. “Then you’re the one who must stomach the ritual of mating with this male of your species. I’m truly sorry.”

The griffin stretched his wings and then each of his back legs. “You wouldn’t remember, but I brought you to this village. I’m glad you’re rested. It’ll be an honor to have your beauty aboard my back again.”

“Why my goodness, aren’t you flattering?” Shalee curtsied. Thank you for the compliment, Soresym.”

Shalee’s curtsy brought a look of pleasure to Soresym’s face. “You looked like a Tralapataise while you slept.”

“Oh my, that sounds ... umm ... a little odd. What’s a Tralapataise?”

Soresym lowered his head and made sure his gaze captured Shalee’s. “A Tralapataise is the rarest, most elegantly fragrant flower on Grayham. I compared your beauty to a true delight.”

“Why, Soresym, if you were a man, I’d eat you up. You may flirt with me anytime. I like a man who can talk special to a woman.” Shalee turned and gave Helga a high-five.

BJ grumbled and spit off the side of the landing platform. “Stop with your ridiculous gestures,” he said as he watched the spit hit one of the support rafters of the platform.

Helga looked at Shalee, then at Soresym, “BJ’s cute when he’s grouchy.”

The griffin chuckled as he turned his head in Sam’s direction. “Don’t worry about your woman, Sam. You have nothing to fear. It’s not possible for my species to mate with females from yours. I’ll allow her to remain with you.”

“Gee, thanks,” Sam chided. “You’re a feather-covered comedian. Who would have thought?”

Shalee smiled as Soresym looked toward the horizon. “Sam, where are you off to today? I’ll give you a ride. Since the gods have shut the temple, my moments are free. I’ll travel with you, so that you may reveal how you acquired your size.”

Sam nodded, “Sounds like a plan to me.”

The griffin addressed Shalee. “The weather is perfect for flying. Climb up. I can easily carry you all, but it will be a tight fit. You will need to sit close.”

Everyone climbed aboard.

BJ sat at the rear with Helga just in front of him. He put away his grouchiness and replaced it with something more tender. Taking the opportunity to reach around her waist, he pulled Helga close and whispered in her ear, “I’m doing this for your safety. It’s only right. A man should ensure the women around him are safe.”

Helga managed to twist around far enough to find BJ’s smile and his adorable wink. She accepted his advance and then nestled into his chest. She put her hands on top of his and enjoyed their ruggedness.

Sam and Shalee were not aware of the exchange as the griffin launched from the platform. Sam would talk with Soresym during the entire flight, and many laughs would be exchanged.

The Hidden God World

Ancients Sovereign

It was Early Bailem when Mosley arrived and began sniffing around the God of the Sun’s home that rested atop Bailem’s Aubade, the highest mountain on Ancients Sovereign. The outside of the structure looked more like an ancient Greek temple than a place that would provide creature comforts, and the inside was just as barren. As the wolf trotted through Bailem’s capacious home, he admired the many grand openings that led to the outside world. Giant, stone columns, all white as snow and standing 144 strong, had been perfectly placed. They supported a dark, stone roof with an enormous circumference.

At the top of the structure, a faultless dodecagon gem with a canary hue had been set at the center of the roof, and a beam of light formed as the sun passed through the stone. The ray that was produced hit the floor and then slowly moved across it.

Mosley teleported onto the roof to get a better look. At just over 12 paws wide, he admired the size of the gem. His godly eyes were now able to see so much more than they had before. The sun’s rays reflected throughout the facets of the jewel, and the millions of crystallizations inside the stone were mesmerizing.