The Nibiru Effect

Memory 95

I fly up the stairs, feet moving at the speed of my racing heart. The stone steps are arranged in such a way they follow the curve of the tower's outer wall. By my calculations, I will have completed a full circle by the time I reach the roof. Under normal circumstances, my acrophobia would be an issue, but seeing how the tower is split into three different levels, my brain is tricked into believing the elevation is manageable.

I fly past the second level, barely even noticing the vast emptiness. The third level is also deserted. It's not until I reach the roof that I finally find who I'm looking for.

Avalon stands at the centre of an open stone platform. The edges of the tower are devoid of banisters, which means one wrong move can send me tumbling to my death. I take note of this and move on to the next detail. The hole in the platform I emerged from is the only way off the roof, which means Avalon is now trapped. Speaking of the raven-haired woman, she stands next to a strange device.

It's a stone throne, only the backrest is angled, and there are leather straps protruding from a series of slits along both edges. Their use is clear. They're designed to restrain whoever sits in the chair. There's also a series of wires and electrodes which are plugged into a crude machine. The final detail I notice is a makeshift wired helmet. Though I have no proof of this, I suspect that's how Avalon is planning to extract my powers.

"I'm surprised," admits Avalon. "I didn't think you'd have the guts to face me alone." After a brief moment, she adds, "I guess your friends are otherwise occupied."

I ignore her obvious goading.

"They're going to die, you know," she mocks.

I'm about to respond when the tower shakes. It only lasts a few seconds, but it's enough to remind me time is running out. Now is not the time to argue. It's the time for action.

"Give me what I want, and I'll let you live," I say.

Avalon chuckles. "That's funny. I was just going to say that."

We stare at each other for a while, debating how to proceed. I have Jonn's knife, but I know from experience Avalon is a skilled fighter. Perhaps not as proficient as Jonn or Kara, but nonetheless quite capable.

"Give me what's mine, and I promise to get you back to your time," proposes Avalon.

It's a tempting offer, but I'm no longer the coward I once was. Jonn and Kara risked their lives to buy me time so I could defeat Avalon. I can't abandon them. Not to mention the fact that Avalon would most likely betray me as soon as she regained her ability to shift.

"No deal," I say, "but I have a counter offer. Give yourself up, and I promise you won't be harmed."

"I don't think so."

We're right back where we started.

"Give me the ring," I order as I raise Jonn's knife and take a threatening step forward.

"Which one?" asks Avalon. "This one"—she raises her left hand, revealing her hourglass ring—"or this one?" She reaches into her pocket and retrieves my mother's ring.

"Give it to me," I command, knife still raised.

"Come and get it," counters Avalon, placing the ring onto her open palm.

The object of my desire is a few metres away, yet it may as well be on the moon. Deep down I know it's unwise to trust Avalon, but I can't pass up such an opportunity.

I take a step forward.

"That's it," encourages Avalon. I ignore her and take another step.

"You're almost there," teases the raven-haired woman. Ignoring her words, I take a third step. The ring is within reach. All I need to do is reach out and grab it, but I suspect it won't be that easy.