Grounded On Juniper Island

Unearthing Secrets

The shrouded figure lowered it hand. Oleg fell from the air landing at the foot of the boulder. Fortunately, he had missed the rogue stalactite that fallen moments before.

"Get up Oleg," said the shrouded figure as it drew closer to him. "There is much to tell. Even I know the answers to some of your deepest questions."

Oleg abruptly woke from his stupor pushing his back against the cold stone behind him. Dom leant over and grabbed him under his armpits. He lifted him onto the boulder as if it  was no effort to him at all.

"Impressive," said Lior who momentarily forgot they were in the midst of a prophetic conversation with a mysterious hooded figure.

As the shrouded figure loomed nearer it clicked its fingers. The darkness around them became no more as the cave was lit up by the stalactites that hung about them.

All around them cave paintings of the red tree could be seen on every wall, including the ceiling appeared to be closer than they had imagined. However, pitch black in the passages that ran either side of them. Knowing which way to take was still uncertain.

"The power of Grewir ," said the mysterious figure with his arms outstretched and floating a fraction above the ground. His excitement gave their ears a sharp twinge.

The light had revealed its true appearance. Despite it being obviously an adult Urthkai with its distinctive figure, its face was quite cherubic and juvenile. Its chubby, pink cheeks and perfectly round face would be a target for any adoring parent to squeeze. Hair, like most Urthkai, could not be found on its head. However, his eyes told a different story. They were like two polished rubies with a never ending glow. You couldn't help but feel they were burning into your soul. Harrowing was the best way to describe them.

The Urthkai wore a mud brown robe that covered a few centimetres over its feet. The robe was tattered and had a few gaping holes. The skin underneath his garments had a caramel brown tone to it.

"Surprise! You can finally meet me," said the Urthkai. A sickening cackle followed frightening Hudson further away from him.

"Oh don't be scared of me," said the Urthkai stopping at the bottom of the boulder. "It is I, Erasmus, who'll be the deliverer of truths."

"No more trickery man,"said Dom screwing up his face. "They have been through enough."

"Dom I may have given you some of my knowledge but I had the satisfaction of keeping it from you. I was ultimately going to be the one to set you all free. An offer you cannot refuse."

"So were you the one behind all those notes?" asked Oleg.

"Yes, Oleg. I knew this day would finally come. I have watched from the shadows when you were first discovered by Ivan and Ursula Yardell on Ivory Beach. Lucky for you they accepted you and were part of a new breed of Bounder who actually cared for Grewir and his people. If it weren't for them you would be disposed of just like the rest of the juvenile Urthkai. Thank goodness Grewir gave you a second chance."

Erasmus slowly floated up to Oleg's eye level and stared at him with concern. Secretly, he was pleased as he believed his pain would bring all he had worked towards to fruition

Oleg was left wide eyed and with a gaping mouth to match his shocked demeanour.

One revelation after another reaffirmed what he had always believed in; he didn't belong on Juniper Island. However, it more of the case that he didn't belong with the Bounders as he had a rightful claim to island. He was an Urthkai. Relief and anger swirled inside of him battling with his emotions. Oleg didn't simply know how to feel.

"I sense you are troubled by this Oleg," said Erasmus softly as he reached his hand out to him. Oleg looked up with vulnerability in his eyes. They were glazed over ready to let the tears flood.

"Get away from him," said Lior standing in front of Oleg. "He has been through enough."

"No Lior," said Jane. "Let Erasmus speak, Oleg deserves to know. We deserve to know about who we are."

Lior grunted at Erasmus and bit his tongue. Jane was right but learning that the Bounders were not the natives of Juniper Island stung like citrus entering fresh wounds. He wanted to believe his ancestors were good people, but now all of this was overshadowed by guilt. It hurt to know you had been part of a lie.

"Why Jane thank you for allowing to have this moment," said Erasmus bowing his head at him. "I guess I should follow on from what Dom was saying before my rock apes intervened. I must admit it's been a while since I have wielded my summoning powers and the timing was perfect. Sorry Dom you weren't as captivating as I thought you would be."

"Stop with the taunts brother. Just get on with it" said Dom crossing his arms. His whole body shook holding back the frustration that was desperate to get outside of him.

"Very well. Dom talked about how you all granted gifts from Grewir from the Juniper tree, but what he doesn't know is sorcerers like myself help with the process. We were the master gifts and were granted many abilities of our own.  Sadly, there were many of us until we were hunted down by the Tropical Knights."

"Me don't know who these Knights are,"said Hudson sitting down on the edge of the boulder.

"Of course you haven't young Urthkai. They belong to the Bounders. They are the ones who makes the rules for them. Do you understand?"

Hudson nodded and gave Erasmus a small smile. For a moment, the harshness had escaped Erasmus's face.

Perhaps his intentions are not malicious at alll?  thought Lior.

"Trust me they are not lawmakers. They are self-entitled and an elitist band of Bounders who think about nothing but themselves."

"Alas that is something we can agree on, however I am sure you want to know how and why you are here. I assume you know all the other Urthkai are gone, despite me having hope that maybe some survived the purge. Nonetheless, I survived as Grewir chose me. I was chosen to bring the Bounders to their knees; a just payment for the pain they have caused to the Urthkai."

Erasmus eyes glowed brighter and the innocence expressed to Hudson had been suddenly vanished.

He stared into the darkness as if nothing was around him. A devilish smirk adorned his face as the thoughts of destroying the Bounders raced to his head. He clenched his fists shaking them up and down with a new found vigour. A crazed laugh erupted from his mouth.

Hudson scrambled back to Jane. Dom dragged Lior and Oleg by their arms  further back onto the boulder.

"You are crazy wizard,"said Dom horrified by his plans. Lior and Oleg were left speechless.

"No I just need a bigger audience," said  Erasmus to himself without flickering an eyelid.

Erasmus raised his arms. Out of the darkness, flew two lifeless bodies parallel into the air. They fell onto their stomachs with a loud slap.

The pair rolled over together in unison clutching their gut and letting out muffled groans.

Oleg and Lior knew exactly who they were.

Erasmus was the captor of the missing lovers, Tina and Lorne.