Mars Underneath The Sceptre of Eternity

The Way Back Home

When Amerik opened his eyes; he found himself in one of the Martian caves; the walls were smooth without any stalactite or stalagmites; the blue stones on the walls were sparkling brightly and he was able to see what was near around him. Amerik found himself alone; neither Ergonn nor D'eimeonn were there. He tried to remember, what happened before he got the injury on his head.

Spigola blackmailed Ergonn emotionally; she threatened to kill D'eimeonn and torture his men; she also told that her father Grusxo was going to crown himself as the next king of Terra Aquillaan. She asked to submit the sceptre; if he liked to save Amerik. Ergonn was a soft hearted man; he surrendered the sceptre and begged Amerik's passage through the kingdom of darkness. D'eimeonn too was imprisoned along with Ergonn; but Spigola left Amerik and vouchsafed that her men would not harm him. She also assured him to show the way out of the labyrinth. However, Amerik found no one except himself. He had lost the ancient book as well; which might have a description of the place; though he could not decipher the words.

Amerik got up; he was not feeling weak or fragile; his limbs and bones were in perfect condition. Before, losing his sense, he saw only a red light emitted from the bone wand of Spigola and the ray struck him hard. He thought, his skull would be split into two pieces; but he was wrong. Another thing he noticed that, he was neither feeling hungry, nor thirsty. In fact, he knew that the people living inside the caldera could not drink water like human beings; they were afraid of water; especially the water from the Earth; but they could survive in fire and extreme temperature. Another thing he learned that the rainbow crystals had enormous power of saving anyone from extreme heat or fire.

No, Amerik had to walk and find out the way back home; but Spigola had not recruited any guide for him. Suddenly, he felt bad for Ergonn; who was he? Was he really Volga's son, as Spigola told? Or, it was a mere gimmick to make him weak? If he was really Ergonn's father; he had to save him; but alone he could not.

"You cannot save Ergonn; he will die at the hand of his staunch enemy." A shrill voice told inside his brain.

'I am still controlled by Spigola.' Amerik realised, why she did not appoint any guide to help him out of the cave.

"Yes, I am controlling your thought. Listen carefully, go straight and turn left." Spigola's voice said.

Amerik followed the voice like a machine; he knew, it was useless to think anything against Spigola; but Ergonn remained in his mind. The cave passage was narrow but well maintained; Firephenys used this way regularly. He turned left and saw a stone staircase. Spigola's voice asked him to climb up. When the steps ended, he found himself in a vast cave chamber with a big lake of dark blue water; he knew, it was not water, but some gas in liquid form.

"Don't try to taste it; your tongue will burn." Spigola's shrill voice warned him; "It's smell is also poisonous to human beings; but don't worry, you have the rainbow crystal."

Really, Amerik never imagined, a stone might have such wonderful power. 'Is it the secret of the eternal life?'

"I have promised Ergonn to help you out from the labyrinth; otherwise, you would be dead like him. It is our age-old tradition to fulfil a dying person's final wish. Don't try to come back here with your men." Spigola said; "We cannot influence you on the surface, but if you dare to enter our world; you'll be dead like your son. Very soon, you'll find your friends; they too are looking for you."

"Who?" Amerik asked.

"I don't know the name; but a man with brown hairs and a woman with black hairs. They are draped in some peculiar garments and equipped with unholy devices. They are at the edge of the labyrinth. I can sense them, but cannot influence their brains now; because they are still far above our land."

"So, when I'll reach at the end of the labyrinth, I'll lose connection with you?"

"Yes, but don't worry, you'll be able to find your friends before that."

Spigola's voice died in his brain; he felt someone conquered his mind forcefully; he was not able to think anything; he could not recall the place again in his lifetime. Amerik was walking like a living dead; suddenly someone said, 'Erik Muller; not Amerik.' He tried to recall the name Volga and the voice again said, 'Dead, a decade ago.'

Finally, Amerik found himself in front of a waterfall; no, it was not a waterfall, but a green liquid was falling from a great height like a cascade and a green stream was flowing inside the cave. He stopped and again heard a voice, "Don't worry, it is emerald falls; you people use it as a gem and make ornaments. Go inside it, your amulet will protect you and you'll find the way out, but... but it will consume your rainbow crystal and you cannot come back here anymore."

Someone pushed Amerik inside the green-waterfall; he felt that he was not falling down, but a power was pulling him upwards. It was a geyser type thing. He felt that he was swirling in a circle; he again saw Volga, smiling at him, weeping as well and singing sadly, "Eagle flies, fire dies, Eagle dies, fire rise."

THUD! Erik heard the noise, but he was not in a position to open his eyes, he was feeling fatigued, he heard a scream and then a loud voice. "ERIK! You are alive?"