The Nibiru Effect

Memory 92

Avalon. The sight of her should fill me with rage, but all I sense is an overwhelming sense of defeat. I came so far, overcame so much, only to fail in the end.

"Why the long face?" asks Avalon as she reaches the final step of the stone staircase. She's now on the same level as us, mere metres away. All it would take is one well-placed bullet, and her reign of tyranny would end. Unfortunately, neither of my companions possess a gun, but that doesn't mean we're defenceless.

Jonn wastes no time trying to figure out what went wrong. He unsheathes his knife and lunges forward. For a brief moment, it appears as though he will succeed in ridding the world of the cancer that is Avalon, but he only makes it halfway before a dozen heavily-armed arkanes surround us. They must have snuck in while our attention was focused on Avalon. It was all a diversion, a trick.

Within seconds, no less than twenty-seven arkane guards have invaded the room. Some bear spears. Others carry swords. All wear armour. Defeating them will be impossible, a fact that's proven by Jonn's willingness to give up his weapon. The knife clatters to the ground, like a bell tolling the end of the world.

Avalon makes her way toward us. The arkanes may tower high above her, yet they obediently part to let her through. I'm not sure if their loyalty is to their king or Avalon, but it matters little.

"What's wrong?" asks Avalon as she comes to stand before me, an amused smile curling her lips. "You seem upset."

I ignore her attempted goading and glance down at the ring on my finger. It may look like the one my mother left me, but it's as useless as a pebble in the hands of someone trying to kill a blood-thirsty T. rex.

"It's fake, isn't it?" I ask.

I expect her to go into a detailed explanation of how she tricked me, but she merely nods.

"Where's the real one?" I ask. "Where's my mother's ring?"

Her smile persists.

"It's safe," she says, tapping her pants pocket.

I stare at the slight bulge for a while before curiosity once again grabs hold of me.

"Why?" I ask.

"I'm surprised you haven't figured it out," admits Avalon.

I don't react. I'm way beyond insults. Everything I once believed has been turned upside down, and the only thing capable of bringing me a modicum of peace is understanding.

"I lied," says Avalon. "My aim was never to kill Jonn and Kara. Their death will merely be a bonus."

I want to ask what her true plan was, but I resist the urge.

"You, Will Save, were always the one I was after," reveals Avalon.

There's a moment of silence as everyone, both human and arkane, stares at me. I get the feeling I should be upset, but I still have no idea why a woman I only met a few times is so obsessed with me.

"I don't understand," I say. "Why me?"

Avalon laughs. It's a soft, joyful chuckle. Somehow, that's worse than if she had cackled.

"Do you remember the first time we met?"

How could I forget? My first encounter with Avalon marks the moment my life changed forever. It went from near-perfect to full-blown insane. I remember every detail with perfect clarity. The accidental tackle. The explosion of pain. The shocked look on Avalon's face. The sense of bewilderment that overcame me at the sight of the hourglass symbol on her wrist. I remember every moment, but what does it have to do with Avalon's careful manipulations?