Immortalis Page 3

  From where he hovered, he cried out to the universe, I defy all of you! Come at me if you will. The warning reverberated into the dark void of space.

  Four

  David closed the door and welcomed the warmth that crept over him as soon as he entered his home. The home artificial intelligence system kicked on as he took off his coat.

  ‘Would you like your usual drink of tea, David? And the fire’s on in the front room. Thought you might need the extra warmth with the weather outside being cooler than normal.’

  ‘Yes, that would be lovely, Sarah. Thank you.’

  This house was too big for him now since Elaine was gone and Ash lived in his own place in the city. Maybe I should downsize after the expedition, he thought to himself as he eased down into his arm chair.

  ‘Sarah?’

  ‘Yes, David?’

  ‘Tomorrow could you start a property search closer to the university? No more than two floors and three bedrooms. I think it’s time we move.’ No time like the present, he thought.

  ‘Of course, David.’

  Resting back into his chair, he picked up his warm drink, took a sip and started to relax. The flames of the fire warmed him through as he sat and pondered what was to come and how to proceed. He was completely oblivious of the man standing in the corner of the room. The shadows concealed him from the old man, that is until he spoke.

  ‘You know, some things should never be uncovered. They should remain undisturbed, David.’

  The voice was low but a undertone of menace behind it.

  He turned to face the stranger whom he could now see standing just by the doorway to the room. Why hadn’t Sarah alerted him to the intruder?

  ‘Don’t worry about your A.I. She’s temporarily offline so we can talk uninterrupted. Forgive me for the intrusion and allow me to introduce myself.’

  The man stepped forward into the light. His face was aged and stony. It was the eyes, dead-looking yet piercing.

  ‘My name is Peter Granger. Nice to finally meet the great man behind such an incredible achievement.’

  Again the tone suggested more than was said.

  David eyed up his uninvited guest, still not speaking until he could assess the situation. Sarah was out of action; he was alone and facing a man who clearly meant to do him some harm.

  ‘May I?’ Granger pointed to the seat opposite David.

  David nodded. ‘Be my guest.’

  The two men both took a seat, watching each other for a moment. When it was David’s turn to speak, he was fully aware that he was in danger.

  ‘Who are you? And why do I get the feeling you’re not healthy for me?’

  ‘There are things that were never meant to be discovered and should have stayed hidden. You, my friend, have opened a doorway for something to come back, and the consequences will be dire if it’s not stopped. And that’s why I’m here, David.’ He paused but didn’t wait for David’s response. ‘I’m here to ask you to undo what you and your team have done, reverse it in some way.’

  ‘Undo what exactly? What we’ve succeeded in doing is traversing the most powerful celestial objects in the universe. The possibilities are endless—to control gravity in such a way is beneficial to all humanity and the discovery of new universes will help us understand our origins better than ever before.’ David’s passion was showing.

  Granger leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees.

  ‘What you have done has unleashed an unspeakable horror on us all, something that will stop at nothing to end all life without mercy. If we do not stop it, this world will fall and many others like it. It’s a contagion, a parasite, that was banished from this universe for a very good reason, and you will stop it.’

  ‘As a man of science, I don’t usually listen to old tales of doom, but I will ask this. What evidence do you have to prove what you are saying? And why should I believe you? I mean you did just break into my house and tell me an extraordinary tale.’

  ‘Proof, you say. You have seen the proof. The undiscovered planet you observed is not of our universe and on that planet is the beginning of the end for all of us if you don’t send it back to where it came from. It may already be too late. We’ve watched and waited for someone to do what you have done—as was foretold thousands of years ago—and you have the audacity to demand proof.’

  He needed time to recover from the drain on his strength. Moving this world out far enough from the singularity had taken all he had. But he could feel his recovery happening even quicker than he anticipated.

  Sitting on top of the dune, he surveyed his surroundings more closely—mountains and sand, no signs of life. Not that he’d expected any on this desert world. The tremors had all but subsided now; there was volcanic activity to the north of his position. A tear in the landscape where the world had almost been ripped apart by the gravity tides of its imposing celestial neighbour.

  The journey from the other side had almost threatened to destroy him and this world, but now it was his time again. The others would not stop him from taking back what was rightfully his. He knew they would be aware of his rebirth into this realm and would undoubtedly send the one after him. This time he would be ready. The cosmos be damned before they ever imprison him again.

  Reaching out to the universe, he could sense the other—weakened, not yet awake, but it was only a matter of time. Time was on his side for the moment. There were others still; he could sense their presence yet he could tell they did not know of their true nature. This was something he could use to his own advantage; physically he was weak but his mind was not. He would reach out to one; this one he could feel was closer to the turning point. He would nurture this one while his body regenerated back to full strength. For now, though, other concerns needed his energy right now.

  Standing up he brought his hands close together but not quite touching; the energy pulsed and flowed to his fingertips. At the centre point, an orb of black energy started to form, growing in size and intensity. He stepped back and released this mass from his grip. Eyes as dark as the void of space, he spewed forth a blast of his very soul into the sphere. Through energies now combining and feeding off him, it grew to be immense in size, rippling, extending, casting a shadow over the entire planet.

  ‘Gain a foothold here. Build an army for me.’ His words echoed across the landscape.

  The new mini-sized world lifted up into the heavens, set now on its task and carrying the manifestation of the immortal’s evil within. It would seek out the first signs of life and consume everything in its path. He watched his progeny move away before falling to his knees.

  Five

  ‘If you won’t help me, then there is another who will.’

  David didn’t need to ask; he already knew that Granger was referring to Ash. The man’s face expressed impatience and anger although he was clearly trying to hide it from David. Hands clenched at David’s unwillingness to acquiesce to his demands.

  ‘Leave Ash out of this. Besides, what you’re asking is near impossible. We don’t even know yet how this rogue planet appeared from nowhere, and you claim it holds some horrific being that means to do us harm.’ David’s eyes were locked with Granger’s now. ‘We need to determine its origins and get there to explore this wonder—not, as I presume you are asking, to force it closer to the singularity. Your demands are ludicrous, Peter.’

  Granger leaned back into his seat not in defeat, but in recognition that the man he was trying to reason with was never going to budge, no matter what he said. A non-believer, he thought. Too bad, he was beginning to like the man in front of him. He didn’t respond to David but instead pulled out his phone and tapped it once, then placed it back into his jacket.

  All the while, David was watching and waiting. From the corner of his eye, he saw more figures appear in his home. Not like this Granger who was well suited in business attire. The three men now standing in close proximity to him were in casual clothes and, if he didn’t know any better, were ex-forces
by their demeanours.

  Now he felt frightened, but he still refused to show these intruders any hint of weakness. Defiant almost.

  ‘Since you are unwilling to listen to reason, our business here is at an end. You do understand that I cannot let you go with the knowledge of who I am and what I intend?’ Granger said.

  ‘I’m an old man, Peter. What harm could I possibly do to you?’ David smiled back as he answered.

  ‘The truth of the matter is, David, you’re more dangerous to the world alive than dead. I have work to do and I can’t have you impeding my progress. Don’t worry, though. A fitting memorial will be held for you and Ash will be looked after. That I promise.’

  Granger gave the men a look as he raised himself up from the chair and made his way out of the room. He said nothing else nor did he look back at the old man in the chair.

  David’s fear spiked; now he had to act. The men who meant him harm moved towards him.

  Silent.

  Cold.

  Fuelled by adrenaline, David bolted from his chair and grabbed the ornamental fire stoker, swinging it high, hitting the closest man to him. Blood spattered as metal hit bone. With a moan, the man dropped to his knees in shock at the old man’s swiftness.

  The other two reacted quickly. The first darted towards David and was met with an iron hot pain in his groin as David brought the poker round and with some accuracy down and under into the man’s groin. The sensation of hitting bone and soft matter made him feel sick, but he was fighting for his life and had no time to think about it. Raising his weapon overhead, David tried to slam the poker down on the last attacker but the sharp pain of the blade that was thrust into his chest stopped him in his tracks. The poker fell from his hands as he reached to grip the wrists holding the knife.

  There was no emotion in the man’s eyes; they were pitiless as night. Flesh tore as the hands pushed the blade upwards, opening David’s chest. Gasping for air as his throat filled with his own blood, he couldn’t hold himself up any longer and fell to his knees just as he was completely split open.

  Then darkness.

  *

  Archer sat in front of the fire contemplating past events, unaware of the visitor standing in the shadows watching, waiting. It was some time before Archer felt the stranger’s presence in the room.

  ‘Why do you come to me now, Michael?’ he said without turning to look at his guest.

  ‘Time has nothing to do with anything. You of all people should have learnt to understand that by now,’ responded the shadow stepping out from the darkened corner.

  Pain shot across Archer’s entire body as he tried to move and face the figure walking towards him; left to right it gripped him, like an invisible harness tightening around his upper body.

  ‘You don’t have long left, old friend,’ the man said as he laid his hand on Archer’s shoulder. The simple touch ceased the pain. At that moment Archer felt like his old self, vibrant and alive—a feeling that had left him years before when he had contracted this merciless disease.

  The day he found out he had been diagnosed with Holland’s disease, he remembered his total disbelief and denial, then anger and eventually fear. He’d watched many a good friend succumb to the illness, dying a slow and painful death. Of all the human diseases that had plagued humanity, all had been researched and cured—all but this one. Never in the time that humans had lived among the stars had any in the medical profession found answers or cures for it.

  ‘You’re wandering again,’ the man said.

  His voice, always calm and strangely comforting, broke Archer’s thoughts and brought him back to the present. He studied his friend’s face; its smooth surface and colours always fascinated him. His face had a distinct glow to it that changed relevant to his mood. Deep blue eyes that would gaze straight into your very soul.

  ‘Focus, friend. We have much to discuss.’

  ‘Sorry, it’s been so long since we last met, and you never change, never age,’ Archer replied.

  ‘You have to tell Raif what awaits him,’ the man urged.

  Archer knew what his friend was asking.

  ‘Ever since we first met and you warned me of the future,’ Archer replied, ‘I’ve tried to hide from it and protect Raif from it. As any father would do to protect his child.’

  Archer could hear the emotion in his voice and tried in vain to disguise it from the man in front of him. He knew too well he could read him.

  ‘He is here, and Raif has to prepare for the fight that awaits him.’ The tone of the man’s voice changed, as did his colour. An amber glow emanated from his entire body, pouring through his clothing.

  ‘I will speak to him, but you must do one last thing for me,’ Archer pleaded, sitting forward in his chair and moving closer to the man’s face.

  The man raised his hand to touch Archer’s face. ‘You won’t suffer like those before you, that is my promise, old friend.’ A smile swept across his face.

  Then he was gone, as silently as he came.

  Making his way down the main street of the city, Raif felt a pang of guilt for leaving the house without resolving their little fight. Why did his father have to bicker with him every time Raif mentioned the Chasers? After all, Raif left that life to care for him. Wasn’t that enough? He loved his father, but it was impossible for Archer to see past his stubbornness at times.

  On the outskirts of the city, the first Avalon settlers found ruins of what remained of a temple, or what archaeologists believed to be a temple. The walls of the structure rose high, curving into a perfect dome. The building on the outside was covered with a smooth layer of what seemed like a diamond coating. On the inside lay a seamless ebony floor. A perfect circle, according to the dimensions recorded. Once restored, the temple, or “shrine” as some liked to call it, appeared from space as the brightest object visible. A circle of light glowing on the planet’s surface. Day or night, it never lost its sparkle.

  Since the day it was discovered, archaeologists, theologians and even clerics tried in vain to discover its origins. What they did uncover was text inscribed on the floor teaching the Way of Spirit Flight. What was more puzzling was it appeared on the floor after restoration, written in perfect English and repeated again and again in every other language known to humankind. Over many generations, the skills of Spirit Flight were studied, developed and passed down to each new generation. Only a few could master the art and teach it. Raif stood silently inside the temple. Eyes shut, upright and still, he listened to the sounds around him. Faint whispers could be heard only by those fortunate enough to notice them. Almost guiding him in his practice there.

  It was the only place on Avalon where he felt at total peace with himself. It always had been that way since he’d started coming there as a child. Once a day every day. Without fail. To move without moving, to glide without sound. Strike without touching. The teachings reverberating in his mind. From the centre of the room, Raif vanished, reappearing at the other end instantaneously. Again, he did the same—this time appearing at the opposite side of the room. How good it felt every time he repeated this skill, like awaking in a patch of sunshine each time he reappeared. The rules of the masters before him forbade him from practising these skills outside the temple. It had never been made clear to him why the rule had been set in place. Moreover, it did not make any sense to him that these skills should go to waste and only be for private development. Gliding, floating, twisting every limb to complete every kata movement he had been taught, he effortlessly defeated the imaginary enemy in his mind's eye. Mid-turn, he felt another presence with him in the room. Without effort, Raif was at the doorway, right arm outstretched and his hand gripping the intruder’s throat.

  Six

  Robin. Raif dropped his arm and stood back. In all the time he had known Robin, not once had he come to the temple to see him. It took Robin a moment to regain his composure after the fright Raif had given him. They had been friends since childhood, and everybody said they were like br
others. Raif certainly regarded him as such.

  Robin was just a year younger than he was and Raif protected him like a younger sibling. It made no difference that Robin towered above him these days; to Raif, he was still the young boy cornered by the group of older boys, trying to steal from him at school.

  ‘You know, that was pretty stupid of you to just walk in like that!’ Raif said as he pulled on his shirt.

  ‘Sorry but I have to get you back home now,’ Robin answered nervously. From the look on Robin’s face, Raif knew what was wrong without asking him. He always knew what Robin was thinking even before he did—which irritated Robin somewhat and sometimes scared him, much to Raif’s amusement.

  ‘He didn’t look too good when I left him this evening. But it’s too soon, isn’t it?’ Not convinced of his own reasoning, Raif gathered his clothing from the floor and left the temple.

  ‘Archer sent me get you and he wouldn’t do that if it wasn’t important. You know how he is,’ Robin said, all the while keeping pace with Raif as the two hurried towards the city.

  Raif reflected on the conversation he’d had with his father just before leaving him. He knew his father was proud of him, even though Archer would never openly admit it. Yet there remained a nagging feeling in the back of Raif’s mind that his father was keeping something from him. The day he joined the Star Chasers he was certain his father wanted to tell him something.

  From an early age, Raif could feel people’s thoughts, something he found hard to explain. Therefore, he decided to keep that to himself; only Robin knew of his gift. From time to time he’d tried to push his father into sharing whatever it was he kept hidden, but that just ended in an argument. When they found out about his illness, Raif dropped the subject altogether and concentrated on keeping Archer’s mind off his sickness.

  ‘The squadron doesn’t feel the same without you,’ Robin said as they hurried through the streets.