Is there a Hell?

If you’ve ever been in a no-win situation, you might agree that there is. Sometimes our only choice in life is to endure. And though it may be Hell, it’s also the true test of ones character.

You’re not dead, Wendell.

Great, Wendell thought exasperated, voices in my head. And where’s the light? I thought you saw a light when you died.

You’re not dead.

What do you mean I’m not dead? A fist-sized diamond just went through my chest! I could hear it. I felt the bones snap, then it went dark! Of COURSE I’m dead!!

No. You are not. Not yet.

Not yet? He could even whimper in his thoughts.

Wake up, Wendell.

Wait—who is this?

We are you.

Then he saw it: the light. It was growing. No, not growing,…it was getting closer. Oh good, it’s coming to me…at least the pain is over.

Wendell, you need to wake up.

Tazered…kidnapped by an ugly, smelly, short, but very strong, mean, green monster…taken to another planet… His thoughts casually meandered through the events of his last hour in life. …meet a blue guy, hairy legs first, who wants to give me something…a treasure…a floating, TALKING diamond…the size of my fist. ‘Accept the gift, Wendell.’ All you have to do is ‘accept the gift’ and it can leave with you!

Yeah, IN YOUR CHEST!

The blue man lied to me. He tricked me!

Just accept the biggest diamond I have ever seen in my life?

He would have hyperventilated…if he was still breathing.

I wish someone had pointed out the fine print on that agreement!

[Those ‘accepting this “gift”’ may experience certain side effects that may include levitation, being physically restrained by magic lights while being impaled in the chest with a cold, bloodsucking, talking diamond. Serious side effects may include broken bones, blood, gore, falling from extensive heights, loss of breath and loss of life.] 

I wasn’t dreaming. I was the chump.

That thought lingered in his post death mind.

I wasn’t dreaming?

I wasn’t dreaming!

…oh, crap. It was all real?

SERIOUSLY?!?

Suddenly the whole set of experiences took on a new level of creepy.

I was really kidnapped.

…by a green goblin…or, Evamu—or whatever the blue liar called him.

And, now, I’m dead.

You are not dead, Wendell.

Whatever. I’m not talking to you. Go away. Can’t you see how depressed I am?

I wonder how Mom and Evan are going to take it? Will they know I was kidnapped or just think that I disappeared? he paused in his thoughts as an image of his mother’s face appeared in front of him. I hope they don’t worry for too long.

You are not dead, Wendell.

Stop saying that!

Be at peace, Wendell. You are putting a great deal of stress upon your body. We cannot heal as we should until the merging is complete.

Merging? As in…what, are you a Borg or something? Am I being assimilated?  No, you’re too polite to be a Bor—WHO ARE YOU?!?

We are you, Wendell. Focus on something that brings you comfort. Something that will make you happy.

Something ‘happy’?

Yes. Concentrate. We will help you. Just focus…so you can wake up. You need to wake up.

Wendell drifted for a moment before reaching out to his favorite memory.

The darkness around him faded to reveal a vast forest landscape expanding as far as he could see. They were camping in Island Park, Idaho, his favorite place in the whole world.

Inhaling, Wendell could smell the slight hint of skunk mixed with pine and wild grass in the fresh morning breeze. He had replayed this day in his mind many times and knew this moment well. He was sitting with his dad on the bank of the river, fishing poles in hand, taking turns telling jokes and laughing so hard his dad was choking and Wendell had to pee.

Good. Very good. Go to that memory, Wendell. We are almost complete.

It felt good, reliving this moment where the only things that mattered were his father and the peaceful world that God had created around them.

Winking at him, his father boasted of how proud he was of his boy.

Wendell searched his father’s face. It didn’t feel the same now, because the future had already played out.

His father already knew. He was never going to tell Wendell about the cancer. All the doctor appointments, all the hidden treatments and mom telling him that dad had a really bad case of the stomach flu. Wendell knew now there was less than a month left and his father already looked weak and frail. The hero of Wendell’s life would soon be gone…

…but there was always today.

He smiled back with all the love his heart could muster, not wanting to spoil their time.

Today was perfect.

After his dad died, Wendell had remembered this day, thinking divine hands crafted this moment just so he would have memories to help him heal.

That’s it Wendell…you’re moving in the right direction.

Distracted, the sounds began to fade, the moment slipping from his awareness. Wendell was being pulled away.

Wait. I’m not ready. I want to stay here longer with my father. Please!

Gathering his consciousness, he struggled, wishing he could resist but it was too hard. An intense urgency pushed him away, stole his memory, leaving him momentarily bewildered.

Abruptly, Wendell found himself thrust back onto the bank of the river.

It was not as he had remembered.

He was alone.

The day was no longer clear or warm. Dirty, odious clouds were advancing across the sky…and the whole scene made him…nervous.

Wendall caught a flash of something from the corner of his eye. A glimpse of movement in the shadows. Eerily, only in his peripheral vision could he detect the shadow drawing closer, taunting him, before it vanished again.

Something was hiding from him.

Wendell’s heart beat faster as the shadow advanced on him, straining his ears to hear the sound of foot fall.

Without warning, Wendell was thumped swiftly on the back,  jolted toward the edge of the water.

What’s going on!?

He reached out to grab a limb from a nearby shrub and missed.

Wait. Hold on here. Stop. Stop!

Making his senses shrink, a foul, sticky breath caressed his neck, right before he struck the water.

The clear, nefarious voice, laughing in cruel mockery.

THIS ISN’T YOUR FIGHT, BOY.

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

GO HOME…OR YOU AND THOSE

WHO LOVE YOU WILL SUFFER. 

Wendell was falling.

But he never felt the cold splash of the river.

It is complete—we are one.

THUD!

Instantly, with an unexpected clarity, Wendell was corporeally aware of being awake. It felt very similar to laying in bed, with his eyes closed.

I’m alive! He felt alert and his mind clear.

Wait. AM I alive?

Hellooooo, anybody home?

Yoohooooo. Voicy, voicy—are you there?

You can tell me that I’m not dead now…I’ll believe you!

Nothing.

Whew! No extra voices.

Wendell opened his eyes to look around.

Rather, that’s what he would have done, if he could.

Why can’t I open my eyes?

He panicked.

Am I alive?

Pausing in thought he waited.

Th-thump.

Th-thump.

Th-thump.

Th-THUMP-Thump.

Th-THUMP-Thump.

Aroused at hearing his heart beat, Wendell felt exhilarated, the peculiar third beat pumping an unfamiliar vitality through his veins. A single tear rolled from his eye, across his temple.

Ok, I am alive. My head is turned. I can feel the tear moving over my skin. Soooo, why can’t I open my eyes?

Wendell inwardly struggled, first to lift his head and then his arms.

Anything?

Quickly, he tried to move ANY part of his body…but nothing wouldn’t respond.

Nada.

Limp as a rag doll, Wendell was without the ability to even twitch.

Mentally, he groaned.

Paralyzed, with a splash of blindness. Great.

Trapped inside himself, Wendell had no idea of where he was or what had happened.

Think, think, think, Wendell—what happened? The gem stabbed you in the chest. Youuuuu fell. That’s right, you fell just before you blacked out. Hitting the floor. Hitting your….what’s with this third person craziness? I hit my head.

Oh! Maybe I have brain damage!

I’M RETARDED NOW!

Ohhh nooooo.

Wait. That’s stupid—though some people think I already was retarded—but I couldn’t reason this way with myself if there was that kind of brain damage?

Could I?

But my head doesn’t hurt.

Actually, when he stopped to think about it, nothing hurts. Doing a quick mental check, not a single thing.

His thoughts refocused on the extra beat of his heart.

A diamond went through my chest! How can I be alive after that?

He had a gnawing desire to look at his chest, feel the skin or hole but his arms felt as if they had been strapped down with lead to a cold floor.

AAARGH! This blasted floor is so cold!

Wait! I can FEEL the cold! WooHOO!

Yet, his skin burned with irritation from an itchy sensation over the front of his body.

SPIT!

He ached to scratch, now—vigorously.

With each passing moment, Wendell felt a growing awareness of his skin.

This is good, good, good. I can feel…my bare butt. And it’s frozen to the floor.

With a start, Wait a minute….I’M NAKED!?! WHERE ARE MY CLOTHES?!

Wendell tried again to open his eyes. But they still didn’t want to respond. Being naked was embarrassing and frankly, cold, but he wanted to be able to move…that, and the helplessness was making him angry.

Pushing and straining against his bondage, his thoughts were so noisy with sighs, grunts, and cursing, that he did not at first perceive the movement and conversing around him until it was right above his head.

He was not alone.

“Oh don’t look at me like that—I’m not the one who lied to the kid!”

The rough, grisly voice sounded familiar to Wendell. It was pacing near his head.

“Didja even bother to check the kids pulse?” it asked. “He looks like a dead fish. You sure ya didn’t kill ‘em?”

“He’s not dead,” came the short reply.

Wendell recognized that voice instantly as the blue liar, a.k.a. the High Elder. Yup, he lied to me, alright. This may STING a little? You said it like it was a bee sting, old man…AND IT WENT THROUGH MY CHEST!!

“Just give him a few more minutes to complete the alignment—this is all part of the healing process. The blood and wounds are already gone. He will awaken soon, so please, finish your report. I am breaking the rules to allow you in here. You don’t belong in the Key.”

Dax chuckled deeply. “That ain’t the only rule you’ve broken, bub. The Council’s a bit ticked at you for pulling this stunt. Your kid, especially.”

There was a brief pause. “They will eventually see the wisdom of my choice. If I did not send you as I did,” but the High Elder fell silent.

Great, so I’ve been kidnapped by the rebel and his monster sidekick?

“Hey, why you did what ya did—that’s yer business, bub. I don’t need ta know any more than I need ta know. I just don’t wanna get blamed, that’s all. I owed you a favor—but we’re even now, right?”

“We are.”

“Good. Then I don’t wanna hear about this again. Slates are clean. You got what you want, I got what I want. The last thing I need is to be in trouble with the old man.”

Wendell found himself quite curious about this unusual relationship…and tidbits about things he was pretty sure he wasn’t supposed to overhear. Not like I would know what to do with the information.

“Did you mention this to Morphiophelius?”

Morphio…huh? What kind of name is that? Parents must have hated the kid…

A snort, “Why wouldn’t I? You know he’s gonna find out as soon as he sees the kid. That is, unless you and the other blueberries discovered a way to open a port to other worlds?”

The High Elder said nothing.

“No, didn’t think so. Ya can’t use the Prime Gates you boys got out in the yard ‘cause they only work on the planet below, so who’s left that can port that far? Yours truly. So of course I told him.” There was a short pause, and then, “Ya know that crap ain’t easy for me to do.”

“What did you say to him?” replied the High Elder, ignoring the statement.

“Oh stop sweatin’—I didn’t incriminate you, if that’s what yer worried about. He doesn’t care about your rules or protocol around here, so deciding ta bend ‘em in spite of your buddies on the Council is no big deal. I just wanted to make sure he knew this wasn’t MY idea. Told him you were sending me to pick up the kid a bit early, that’s it.”

There was a heavy, open sigh. “Did he say anything once he knew?”

“Yeah. He said, ‘It’s about time.’” Another snort, “Go figure. Probably knew you were gonna do this before you did. Hah!”

The High Elder let out a long sigh of relief.

Wendell, on the other hand, was growing more and more curious.

So this blue guy isn’t the one in charge around here?  …and this Dax, he doesn’t seem to be completely on anyone’s side. Sneaky. That’s…not very comforting. So who is this ‘old man’ they keep mentioning? Morph…morpi..feeyo…bah—the guy with the weird name…

“Has Thule ceased his advance?” the High Elder asked bluntly.

Again there was a short snorting noise in response. “Thule never stops, you know that…he just changes his tactics.”

“Yes, I realize that,” the High Elder prodded impatiently. “His search for the seals have become more aggressive. They are running out of time. What I want to know is…are the reports true? We must know is if his forces are actually advancing on the Kutollum?”

Kuto…oh boy, I’m going to need to get myself a note pad here to write this stuff down. Wonder if they have a dictionary or pronunciation guide for weird names?

“If he’s moving on the Dwarves, I’d be stumped how he’d do it without us hearing about it. I saw the broken Prime Gate with my own eyes, which means Thule’d have to approach from land. The move would be suicide. With the exception of Clockworks City, those beards have the best defenses I know of. Thule is many things, but he ain’t stupid.” Wendell’s stomach churned as he recognized the voice of the little green monster known as Dax. “Naw, I think it’s a rumor, to distract us. That crafty scum bucket has something else going on, I know it. Just can’t figure out what.”

Dwarves? As in…they’re REAL? COOL! Hey, …I wonder what Evolu’s are, then? But the only thing he could come up with would be short, rude, smell green people who smell like dirty ashtrays and rotting fish.

Dax paced back and forth next to Wendell’s head, his large, padded feet slapping on the stone floor. “He’s made several landings on foreign shores…but he doesn’t stay long and the attacks have been minimum. A few villages here and there, but only when he’s been opposed. Otherwise, he shows up, makes camp…then leaves within days. It just don’t make sense. Something big’s gonna happen when he pops up again, I can feel it down ta my hairy toes.”

Wendell could feel scrutinizing eyes on him.

“He really does look like crap, Delnar. Maybe I should just give him a swift kick and see if he flinches.”

Finding his gumption, I may not be able to move, but I can still hear you! Still naked, limp and lifeless on the cold floor, Wendell focused indignantly all his attention inward. Come on body—MOVE, blast you!

Not even a twitch.

Sigh.

“You will do no such thing, Daxänu!” barked the High Elder sharply. “This child represents our greatest hope. The Ithäri accepted him and as such, he will be treated with the respect his position deserves.”

Respect? Respect?!? You KIDNAPPED me, LIED to me,  FED ME TO A VAMPIRE DIAMOND…and now you’re talking about respect? WhatEVER!

“Yeah. Whatever.” Turning away from the High Elder, Dax leaned over Wendell’s head, his immense ears straining to hear an almost non-existent sound. He smirked. “Hey—the kid’s mumbling to himself.”

Wendell could smell the hot, nasty breath of…you guessed it, dirty ashtrays and rotting fish. His stomach heaved—and he clenched his eyes tighter.

Ahhhh…movement! he thought with glee.

He could feel his limbs begin to tingle and warm. Well, except for his BEhind.

…stimulation was good.

Stimulation meant he was alive.

All he had to do now was open his eyes.

Wendell wasn’t all too sure he wanted to open his eyes, yet. Could this really be happening? Being transported to another planet, ugly green midgets, blue people in dresses…okay, robes…magic, invisible creatures? This only seemed a reality for his undisciplined imagination.

As usual, whether or not he thought he was ready, something else took charge, throwing him into a mess.

His hand, of its own accord, suddenly flipped up from his side and slapped down, fast and hard over his eyes.

“WOAH!” cried Dax, falling backwards from Wendell’s immediate vicinity. His immense feet tangled together, sending him crashing to the ground. Staring back at the prone body, he smirked to himself. “Well, looks like you were right, blueberry…he’s waking up.”

“Thank the Makers!” the High Elder exclaimed, sounding genuinely relieved. “I admit that I was feeling a little anxious. The last recorded transformation was instantaneous, not 24 hours!”

Wendell surprised himself when his own eyes abruptly popped open behind his fingers and “I’M ALIIIIVE!” erupted from his throat.

“…AND I’M NAKED!”

Dax fell back over his own feet once more in surprise. Blurting out curses, he gripped his chest to steady his pounding heart. “Little freak’s quite the firecracker!” he heaved.

“Well there he is!” the High Elder beamed, ignoring Dax’s comments. “Limbs starting to work again, I see?”

Wendell wanted to sit up and look around. No sooner did he think it, then he compulsively felt his body being pulled forward until he was sitting upright. The heavy woolish blanket that had been covering him fell into his lap.

He was still in the stone room, lit by torches—the stone hands above his head were still palm down with fingers spread, both the High Elder and Dax standing next to him.

“Watch yourself, my young friend,” the Elder said, kneeling at his side to steady him. “Try and relax. Take slow, deep breaths. Your muscles may twitch or even feel as if they’re burning as you start using them once more, but it will pass soon enough. They’re not used to the constant stimulation of the Gem’s natural regeneration. Immortality, after all, isn’t for the faint of heart.”

“Immortality?” gulped Wendell, finding conscious breathing awkward. A life I’m already struggling with will last forever? Wonderful.

The room seemed brighter.

No, that wasn’t it.

Clearer…more defined and crisp.

The colors, shapes…it all seemed vibrant and filled with life.

Raising his hand to his chest.

At first his fingertips twitched and pulled away.

Breathe, Wendell. Just take it one moment at a time. Breathe in. Breathe out.

Again he reached up…but this time, Wendell forced his fingers to linger on the warm surface of the gem. At first he traced the outer ring where his skin met the alien material. He flinched. The thin layer of skin was sensitive, but not…painful.

This is soooo weird.

Wendell fingered the diamond that was now buried in his chest.

Yup, there it is.

“It’s real,” he mumbled softly to himself, a small shudder falling through his body and he swallowed the lump in his throat.

Slowly, Wendell lowered his head and his eyes walked their way to the perfectly round object protruding slightly from the center of his chest. His mind was so preoccupied he barely noticed Dax taking his leave.

“Let me know how the kid turns out,” he said casually. “I got me places to go and things to do.”

The High Elder nodded to Dax before turning his full attention to Wendell.

Dax’s snapping fingers drew Wendell’s full attention.

A thin, vertical line appear in the doorway, right next to the Evolu. Having a purpose all its own, the line stretched, tearing and burning an oval hole in mid-air, expanding to reveal an unnatural and empty blackness.

Dax paused for a moment in the doorway.

He looked at the High Elder, shaking his head, then back at Wendell…his features softening.

Wendell frowned. What is that…pity?

Before anything more could be said, Dax stepped into the blackness and disappeared. The hole slammed shut behind him with a…

BAMPH!

“The transition can be strenuous,” informed the High Elder. “How do you feel?”

“Strenuous?!?” Wendell choked, finding his voice. He looked down at the diamond. It caught the light as he moved, reflecting little rainbows onto the floor and walls. Great, I can hire myself out as a Disco Ball. He shook the image out of his head. “I feel naked for starters. What did you do with my clothes?”

Chuckling, the High Elder explained patiently. “The old cloth was consumed. When the Ithäri merged with you,” he paused with raised eyebrows as Wendell snorted, “there was a purifying process that took place. In bringing a host’s existence up to her own level, your blood was altered and the heat of the purification incinerated the cloth on your skin.” Pausing for maximum impact he added, “For a time, it encompassed you in flames.”

Wendell thought the High Elder looked comical nodding and raising his eyebrows waiting for him to be impressed. Thoughts of rolling around in agony and screaming for help popped into his head. Wendell examined his arms for burns. If it were true, he couldn’t tell. So, he shook that image out of his head, too.

With a wave of the High Elder’s hand, stones in the floor near their feet shifted and swirled into a small tornado of sand.

Wendell flinched and quickly scooted away. As the swirl grew in size,  however, he watched in amazement as grain by grain the sand added to itself, forming into a simple trunk of deep brown wood, complete with tarnished metal hinges and latch.

The High Elder knelt and opened the trunk, pulling out clothes, and tossed them over to Wendell. Both pants and shirt were pale yellow with brown trim, light weight and thin.

“See if those will do,” he said turning back to the trunk. “I should have sandals in here as well.”

Wendell, taking advantage of when the elder’s back was turned, jumped up and slipped the loose-fitting pants on under the blanket. He pulled the rope drawstring tight and slid into the shirt.

Making a quick assessment, Wendell jiggled in his new clothes, surprised that he felt so good. He wiggled his fingers, palms wide, then flexed his arms and legs. He squatted, letting muscles stretch and joints bend, then quickly bounced back up. Wendell couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear.

This must be how Evan feels.

But the apprehension in his mind needed answers. He had no choice but to get answers from the man who had lied to him. Could he trust anything the blue man would say? Even his conversation with Dax proved he was a person of deception. Wendell didn’t like his options.

“Where am I?” he finally asked aloud.

The High Elder looked at Wendell, dumbfounded.

“Seriously. Where am I?” he repeated firmly.

“Wendell, I don’t think you…”

“LOOK,” he interrupted. “I don’t care what you think. I played by your rules, did what you said and look at me.” Wendell pulled at the neck of his shirt bitterly. “LOOK AT ME! I want to know where I am and how I got here. Answer my questions, please. Right now.”

Sighing, the High Elder sat down heavily on the trunk. Sand once again rose into the air, forming miniature spheres above their heads.

Taken aback, Wendell stared. Strange globes of various sizes and colors rotated around a white sun, forming a solar system unknown to Wendell.

“You are on a planet very far from the home you knew. We call this planet Iskäri-Käläm,” he pointed to a small red sphere, spinning around a much larger blue and green one. “We are actually a moon revolving around the largest planet in our system, Elämä, along with our sister moon, Umbra-Gem. Earth has not even discovered our system in its skies yet.”

Wendell watched the planets rotating, digesting in silence.

“I chose Dax to bring you back because of his unique magical skill of teleportation.”

Impatiently, Wendell tapped on his chest and asked, “What is this? …and don’t tell me ‘a treasure’.”

“Her name is Ithäri,” the High Elder began. “The symbiotic relationship with each of the first-born male descendants of your bloodline goes back many, many generations to a covenant she made with Arödrin, your forefather, to protect the people against slavery and extinction.”

“Wait, you said ‘host’. And did you say ‘altered’ before? My blood. What the heck did it alter?” He abruptly turned his back on the High Elder and did a self check, patting himself down. He sighed with relief, Ok, all accounted for.

Wendell let his hand rest against the gem poking up under his shirt, “What’s an Ithäri?”

The High Elder sighed, “Haven’t you been listening to what I have said?”

Wendell gritted his teeth, “SURE I’ve been paying attention! An old blue guy in a dress conned me into saying a magic sentence that woke up a blood sucking diamond that attacked me and then nested IN MY FREAKIN’ BODY! Oh, and the freakiest part is, I’M NOT DREAMING!!” His face flushed with anger, eyes becoming wild. “Forgive me for not drinking all this in and thanking you for it!” Wendell didn’t try to disguise his disgust.

Raising an eyebrow, the High Elder cleared his throat, choosing his next words carefully. “Yes, well,…the Ithäri is the gem you carry. It is her name and as I said, she is alive.”

Wendell pulled back the neck of his shirt and looked down at the gem again. He totally blew me off! Impulsively, he pulled his shirt up under his chin, scratching at the edges with his fingernails trying to get a grip. No luck. So using both hands to push and pinch aggressively on either side, he tried to pop it out like a zit.

Ouch!

Again, no luck.

His head flopped forward with a sigh of defeat. “So, I have a girly leech in my chest.”

“What you have is power from the Gods through an ancient relic,” the High Elder emphasized each individual word.

Wendell just stared at the gem. “So I have a really, really old girly leech in my chest. Ok, so how do I get it out?”

“Get it out? You are missing the point, Wendell. The Gem is a conduit to provide you with knowledge, powers and abilities unequaled! It originally bound itself to your ancestor before the Great Sundering.” As if all this information would change the whole of the mood, the High Elder smiled wide.

“I believe YOU’RE missing the point,” Wendell immediately snapped, exasperated, “that I’m just a kid who still doesn’t understand what the crud YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT! Gods? Ancient relic? Great Sundering?” Wendell repeated mockingly. “You talk like I’m supposed to know this stuff!! Or did you forget that someone’s parents left him by the side of the road…”

Undaunted, the High Elder quickly composed himself. “Yes, well…these are things you will learn in due time. As long as you are the host, you can live…forever.” Standing upright, “You now have the greatest collection of wisdom, knowledge and power bestowed upon a mortal,” the High Elder continued. “You have access to the collective knowledge of all the previous Heroes ever connected to the Ithäri. The universe and all creation can now be saved!”

Wendell was speechless. Not because he lacked something to say, but because he couldn’t choose what to say. Well, that and seriously wanting to punch the High Elder in the nose. None of this mattered the slightest bit and it was wearing on him and he was quickly feeling more than a little frustrated. His tongue and imagination unhinged, “So, how do I get this thing out of my chest and get home?”

Eyes wide with excitement, the High Elder slid up beside him and put an arm around Wendell, pulling him in close. The rascally-triumphant smile, that Wendell was learning to hate, upon his face, “BY FIGHTING THE FORCES OF DARKNESS!” he shouted, while shaking a fist in the air.

“WOAH!!” Wendell coughed, pushing away and pointing an accusing finger. “You didn’t say anything about fighting,” he gasped. “Especially against any forces of darkness! YOU SAID THERE WAS NO CATCH!!”

The High Elder shrugged his shoulders. “I said, the gem is not mine to bargain with. It belongs to you and you alone, Wendell. My duty is only to make sure you received what was rightfully yours, no more.”

He was being manipulated. Wendell’s body started to shake uncontrollably, the heat rising to his face. He was furious. He glared at the High Elder, his fists clenched. If the old man was any closer, Wendell would have lunged at him and taken a wild swing. Livid indecision possessed his thoughts, but as the silent moments passed he felt a warm, soothing strength flow through his body. Against his will his pulse slowed and the shaking stopped. What is happening to me!?

“Y-you can’t do that! That’s WRONG!!” He could feel the heat rising again, turning his face red. Wendell quickly looked like a beet. The veins in his forehead throbbed with the pressure. “You,…aren’t you some kind of Holy Man or something?”

“Actually, no,” said the High Elder calmly.

“AAAARGHH!” Wendell screamed, clenched fists pumping. “Look, bucko—I want to go home!”

“Nevertheless,” he whispered, “the task of battling the Dark Lord is now yours.” Again, infuriating Wendell with his calm tone.

“Oh, no, you don’t!” Wendell stammered. “You can’t make me do this! I refuse to stand here with the wind blowing between my legs as your puppet!”

“You have the power to do anything you want, Wendell,” smirked the High Elder.

“Fine. I want to go home, live with my mom and forget all of this,” he said, proud of his clever retort.

The High Elder raised an eyebrow. “Okay…almost anything you want.”

“What if I don’t WANT to be your Hero? Doesn’t that matter?! Can’t we give this thing in my chest to someone else?” Pleading, Wendell slowly ran quivering fingers over his chest and traced the hard surface of the gem. It felt warm to the touch and the soothing strength poured through him again—but this time there was a comforting familiarity accompanying it. He quickly pulled his hand away. For a moment, Wendell could swear that the gem, the Ithari,. was trying to…befriend him. Appalled, the idea occurred to him that he may actually have to find a way out of this on his own.

He turned to the High Elder, trying to soften his voice. “Does this thing have to use me?” he asked, hopeful that his personal skill at looking pathetic would gain some sympathy. “I mean, isn’t there some kind of backup plan? Considering you’re a liar, you must realize that you’ll screw up eventually, right? So what’s plan B? A way to get the gem to someone who actually cares about all this stuff you’re talking about?”

“Well,” replied the High Elder, “in times of great peril the Gem does have the ability to accept an alternative to fulfill her purposes. There is only one record, where the hero was not of age and could merge with Ithari. His bodyguard was found worthy to take his place, but only for a very short duration. The man served well, but Ithari’s power was severely limited during that time, even hindered. The full measure of her power is reserved for the pure bloodline alone, through the covenant.” His face grew serious, “This is the end time, Wendell. It’s a period of our world where all the secrets, powers, knowledge…even evil, will come to its full fruition. This is the point in time all the prophets spoke of and wished they’d been born within. Where the fate of the world will be decided.”

Wendell stood there, jaw open wide.

He blinked.

Then blinked again.

Finally, he closed his mouth and gulped loudly. Then, in a soft whisper, “You guys are so screwed.”

“Pardon me?”

Louder, “Nothing.”

The High Elders expression shifted, revealing a genuine concern. “Would you risk all this and walk away with so much at stake?”

“Yeah, well, I’m not so sure I buy all that. How do I know you aren’t just lying to me again?” Wendell grumbled.

“I have never lied to you.” The High Elder continued softly, “Nor would it be that simple. Once the Gem has accepted a host, it cannot be removed by any outside force.” He opened his arms in a helpless gesture, “I could not remove the gem from you, even if I wanted to.”

Wendell sighed. “Great. Just…great. Do I have any options? Any options at all?”

The High Elder’s countenance fell and Wendell worried for him, but only for a moment. “There are three ways to remove the Gem—each of the choices rely on you own efforts, Wendell. You are, from this point forward, in complete control.”

“Fine. Good. I can handle options.” Relieved, yet suspicious, Wendell’s stomach did a little flip before he managed to restore his composure. “What do I have to do?”

The words weighed heavily on the High Elders heart. He stalled as he picked up the blanket and tossed it toward the trunk. Slowing in the air, it folded itself and landed softly in the trunk, the lid sealing before collapsing into a pile of sand and melting into the floor through the seams of stone.

Okay, that was…very cool. I wonder if I can learn to do stuff like that?

“There are three ways the Ithäri will release you,” said the High Elder. “The first is when evil is defeated and harmony can return to the cosmos. The Ithari only awakens when the balance between good and evil has leaned too far towards darkness. Her purpose is to correct that balance. The Gem will then return here to Sanctuary, once you release her, into the care of this Council until such a time as she may be needed once more. This is the reason you were brought here.”

The High Elder paused and tossed a hopeful glance to Wendell.

Wendell shook his head no. “Not going to happen. Next?”

“The second method is if you reject the Hero mantle, the Gem will also reject you. In this case, you will have to wait for one revolution of the moon and then the Gem will fall from your chest. Hopefully, during that time you will feel a connection with the Ithäri and change your mind.” He looked over to find Wendell completely unemotional, his head lowered, eyes locked upon the Elder from under his creased brow.

“Not likely,” he muttered, “but it sounds like the best plan so far. Wait a month!?” The High Elder held up a finger and opened his mouth to speak, but Wendell cut him off abruptly. “I don’t care about what you think about this!”

“But you…”

“No! I didn’t want to wait that long, but I could cope if this is going to get me home. Moving on! What’s the third way?”

The High Elder let his hand drop and then paced in silence for a few moments, fingers pressed together in front of his chest.

“Elder?” Wendell cleared his throat, trying to prompt him. “What’s the third way?”

When he stopped moving, his expression was cold, eyes locked on Wendell’s, which made the teenager extremely uncomfortable.

“The third way is death. If Ithari is unable to heal you and your body dies, she will require a new host.” The High Elder made his way to the doorway and motioned Wendell to follow. “That, of course, would make your journey home quite impossible.”

Wendell gulped, “Yeah…that might put a damper on my plans.”

A smile flashed across the High Elder’s face, “Shall we find something to eat? You must be hungry by now.”

Slowly, Wendell followed the Elder out of the room and out to the long stairs leading up, out of the Key. It wasn’t the best plan and though it wasn’t technically his problem, Wendell had this annoying feeling that he could be making the wrong choice.

He shook it off.

It’s settled. I’ll bide my time for a month and then I’m outta here. Hope my mom will be okay until I get home.