The Seven Swords of Diya: An Indiana Jones Fan Fiction - Part 2

Chapter 339: Unseen Realm

Unseen Realm

Edge of Eternity

The Treasure Guardian smiled. "I know. That's where we met the first time."

Indy shuddered, recognizing the voice from his memories of the Ark of the Covenant melting the Nazis that had captured him and Marion. "You... you told me to shut my eyes. And... I told Marion...." He paused, still kneeling, daring a look behind the man in front of him. "That is the Ark, right?"

The Treasure Guardian laughed. "Yes, Indiana. You can stand up. That's the Ark of the Covenant." He moved back to the far end of the room, standing behind the Ark, using it as a judge's desk. In his hand he held a wooden chalice. "Would you like a drink?"

Indy paused, and then followed, barely able to believe what he was seeing. "That's the Holy Grail isn't it?" He swallowed. "You must know I already drank from that. Is that why I'm here...?"

"No. The cup didn't make you immortal."

"Then... pardon me, sir... but what am I doing here?"

"I thought you'd like to see Heaven before you unleashed Hell," The Treasure Guardian answered.
Indy swallowed. "I... that was not the plan."
"So you just...?" The Commander Treasure Guardian waited for answer.

Indy looked at his boots. The Ark looked more like a judgement seat than ever before. He searched for answer. They all felt like poor excuses. "The apkallu and Edo wanted to hurt the kids, so I stepped in. I wanted to protect them. I wasn't thinking about opening hell. I've seen two world wars and really don't want another, sir." He paused, noting scars on the Treasure Guardian's face and well worked hands. "It looks like you've seen some battle yourself, sir."
"I also understand sacrifice," the Commander Treasure Guardian made some notes in an ancient scroll. "However - no one gets the keys to open hell."

"I understand that, sir. I wasn't thinking..." Indy was stammering all over the place, searching for words. He felt helpless and couldn't find anything to say. "There's nothing that would justify my actions, sir. Nothing."

"Yes. There is."

"Sir?" Indy blinked.

"The love of a father for his children." The Treasure Guardian drank from the cup by his right hand. "I went on a quest to seek and save what was lost... what part of that doesn't sound like your career?"

"Treasure hunting and tomb raiding?" Indy asked with a half grin.

"And temple clearing..." the Treasure Guardian echoed that grin, walking out from behind the Ark, with a whip of his own tied to a tool kit.

"But... I... I haven't..." Indy gave up and told the truth. "My results have not been... helpful."

The Treasure Guardian shrugged. "Then charge your focus. Instead of hunting for lost artifacts... hunt for lost people. You did it during World War II. You used your skills for good things, Indiana. You kept evil from winning. You showed loyalty."

Indy shook his head. "My marriage is a failure, my family is in wreckage... both my daughters are scarred by my decisions..."

"You still love them."

Indy looked up in shock. "I can't NOT love them, sir. They're my kids."

The Treasure Guardian stepped forward and put his hands on Indy's shoulders. "Then you know how I feel about humanity."

Shock flooded Indy. "It's not rules... it's not fear... it's... coming home." He collapsed against the Treasure Guardian, like a long lost brother. Then he straightened his posture, embarrassed and held out his hand. "Thank you, sir... Commander."

The Treasure Guardian grinned. "I'm glad you finally get it, Indy. And it is a reunion between me and you. Been wanting this for a long time."

"Only took me thirty years, sir." Indy paused, giving an embarrassed half grin. "I'd like to go back... if I can... meet more of my grandkids in person... you know...?"

The Treasure Guardian nodded. "I have something to give you first."