A Hero in the Dark: 2nd Edition

Chapter 59: Mystical Aura

I stuff both letters into my bra and slip out into the hall. I don't know what time it is, but I assume it's close to when we're supposed to leave for Earth.

Beloved Leader, I think. Where are you?

Eastern hall. Docking bay. Come.

Before I need to ask, a set of images flood in; I recognize them as various hallways, many of which I traversed before. It seems strange receiving directions from him this way—it's like he knows how this telepathy thing works—but nonetheless, I follow them.

He's standing by the edge of the wide-open room amongst dozens of Skimmers, waiting in a black and white suit, the wind blowing through his hair. I try not to be, but I'm anxious to step foot on the ground; it feels like it's been forever since I have.

"Beloved Leader? When will we get there?"

"Patience," he says. "We are almost there."

Nothing but endless jungle greets me as I walk up to his side; green as far as the eye can see. It's pretty, and the wind is soothing on my cheeks, albeit Five's pendant lying heavy under my chin.

It isn't long before a temple presents itself in the distance, built mostly of stone. Slowly, the Anubis lowers until branches snap below its belly. I squint; it looks like there are people down there—no, not people: Mogadorians. Setrákus holds out his hand as a ramp extends. "Shall we?"

I take his hand, and we walk down the ramp. It must be a mile in length, maybe two or three, and the closer we get, the bigger things grow, and the more my chest flutters. I'm excited. I want to be down there. I can smell the air—crisp, fresh, wild. I can't wait to be there. I try to quicken my pace to quicken his, but his feet remain slow, and—internally—I groan.

But I decide against letting this moment irk me and instead use this time to play with my telepathy, letting him guide me while I close my eyes: Hello? Can anyone hear me?

I half-expect them not to answer, not after what I did. But then I remember: They don't know. All they must've felt was another scar, and suddenly, it hurts to think that I scarred John.

Emily? Is that you?

Ella! Yes. Yes, Ella, it's me! I'm in Mexico, at the Sanctuary. Where are you?

We're in Texas—Lexa's safehouse, she thinks and stops. The others are in New York trying to find some government representatives.

Oh! That means you guys have Lexa's ship, right?!

Yeah. Why?

Can you get here? I—I don't know what's going to happen, but I have a pretty good idea why we're here and— I stop when I remember the destruction. Sarah died because of that. Marina almost did too. Is this really a good idea? Maybe I shouldn't. Maybe I should handle this myself.

We'll be there! Ella thinks, jolting me from my thoughts. I bite my lip.

Grass tickles my toes, and I find myself instantly relaxing after what I've just done. They probably wouldn't get here in time anyway. My toes curl in the dewy blades on their own. I take a deep breath and the rainforest air fills my nose. My ears perk at the call of tropical birds, yet the heat strikes me most of all. But that's not all. There's something else, something... spiritual roaming in the air, beneath my feet, watching, breathing, like a mystical aura from a mythology storybook come to life. I feel it. It's rejuvenating, making me feel as if I just woken up from a power nap. I'm not tired like I was after my fight with Five. More like... reborn?

Setrákus releases my hand when another Mog comes to bow to us—this one's a woman! I've never seen a female Mog before. She's bald except for three long braids jutting out the back of her skull, and she's taller than me by at least six inches. "Beloved Leader, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I believe you already know the answer to that, Phiri," he replies. I dart to him at the mention of her name. Phiri? As in— "You've been working on this project for months. Have you found a solution to the Loric barrier?"

"Forgive me, Beloved Leader. We have not, but we're committed to finding one. It won't take us much longer. I have my squadron working around the clock—"

"Save your breath, and the breath of your squadron; they needn't worry," he says, waving it off. "I bring with me someone who may help. You are aware of my associate, yes?"

"Me?" I ask, as his hand lands on my shoulder. "What can I do?"

"You have a unique Legacy, Emily. With it, I have no doubt you should be able to enter through the Loric barrier. I need you to enter the temple and deactivate the force field from the inside."

"But—" What am I supposed to say to that? It's not that I don't want to—anybody would kill to explore an alien sanctuary—but not only do I feel I don't have the authority to enter a place like that, I don't want to risk getting burned. If the ash is any indication... What happens if I...? "I don't know how. That place is Loric. I'm—"

"You are a human with an extraordinary gift," he notes, as if it's the one and only answer. "If there is anyone that can enter, it is you; I guarantee it."

"But what happens if I—"

"What? Suffer? Die?" I nod. "Nonsense. Don't be afraid. Lorien granted you these Legacies, therefore, it must let you in. Come," he says and puts a hand on the small of my back. A note of resistance courses through me and my body fights to go back, but I force myself to push this fear down. "It will take some time for my machine to boot up," Beloved Leader says as we approach the supposed barrier. "I need you to get a head start. Those steps will not climb themselves."

I swallow as he guides me forward. "I'm not supposed to be able to enter without the pendants though," I say in the attempt to stall. "I... I don't mean to question you or anything, but how can I get inside, or even through the force field, if I'm not one of them?"

"Here," he says, pulling out four other amulets from around his neck. I recognize the symbols immediately: One, Two, Three, Six. "You have Five's. Is that enough?" I didn't think he'd solve it so quickly, let alone ask me for advice. "Do not lose them. Be back before the sun sets."

I take a deep breath and walk to where an ash-filled line is marked in the dirt, then reach out a hand. The air ripples the closer I get like I imagine it would if a portal were to open.

Pop! Crackle! Pop!

I jump back. It's like someone used a taser on my finger, or tried to, but there wasn't enough juice in it. I turn back to Beloved Leader; he and the Mog Lady are watching me expectantly, as if wondering why I'm not through already. I face the barrier, take another deep breath, hold it, and stick out my hand. My heartrate surges, the air keeps waving, but I follow through while everything inside me is screaming at me not to, while everything inside me screams at me to run.

Pop! Crackle! Pop! Scritch! SNAP!