Earth - A little while ago

  Kane

  Trouble was coming, I knew. Luke, or Dar'cen himself was here somewhere, out there watching or at least searching for David, trying to stop all that was about to take place, and change all that had gone before.

  The six of us were strategically placed where all could watch David and Alex, and also Jain who watched them. From where I stood I could see them all, watcher and watched, all sat, all blissfully unaware of us, or the evil that stalked them.

  If he managed to get near any of them, harmed them, kill them as he planned, what would it change, what turmoil would it cause, was it even possible?

  Movement to my left caught my attention, a man in a dark suit with sunglasses. Not uncommon, but somehow he stood out, not just someone just about their daily business – he is looking for something, watching and waiting. I sighed and relaxed a little as the man smiled and dashed across the street to a woman that had appeared there.

  My thoughts drifted back to the situation in front me. Despite what I’d said to the others, nothing could have prepared me for the sight before me. Nothing. Yet I had thought those very same thoughts before, hadn’t I. Different place, different time, but same thoughts. Same disbelief at what was before me. Regardless, the situation was truly unbelievable. Looking from watcher to watched was somehow disorientating. And if it affected me in this way, I would need to keep a close watch on the others.

  ‘Teams, call out your status. Are you all in position?’ We had Walkie Talkies to communicate despite that we were almost in shouting distance of each other, and I had insisted on no names. We had to sound like a police operation. Anyone could be listening. He might be listening.

  ‘God, this is weird! I never expected it to be like this, despite all you said.’

  ‘ Team two… keep to your assignment. No unnecessary chatter, and stay alert.’ My voice was harsh but my heart went out Alex, I knew how she must feel. Christ, I felt the same way!

  Then another voice spoke in my ear piece. ‘He’s here… across the road from me. Seems alone, but there must be others. Would you believe, he’s just casually strolling along. Looks like he’s not got a care in the world. He’s coming in your direction. By the Gods, he’s an evil looking sod now. People are shying away from him, parting to let him pass, staring after him. And all he’s doing is walking down the street… What do you want me to do?’

  ‘Do nothing!’ I answered. ‘Watch him, and watch for others. Tell me if he changes direction. All of you stay where you are! This is my fight.’ Yes, it is my fight. But I couldn't defeat him on my own last time. I couldn't even hold my own against him. ‘So what are you going to do this time?’ I muttered to myself.

  Not so long ago, I had thought to pit two of us against him. With my other self I had thought to change what I had already lived through. But as Jalholm had foretold, fate intervened to make it as it had been – fate in the form of me deciding a path that kept what had been intact. And then, if not for Jalholm, Luke would have defeated me easily.

  And here I was again, with two instances of myself in the same place and time.

  Dare I enlist the help of my earlier self? And what ripples through what has been would that cause if I did… and that was if it was even possible. ‘Too confusing. Too much to even think about,’ I said, to no-one, as I began to walk away from the one who might aid against the opponent I now hurried towards.

  This time, Jalholm was under strict orders not to intervene. I had his word on it. Based on Jain's beliefs, Jalholm had to survive – he was the Unwitting One, and he held the key to Dar'cen's final defeat. What that key was, Jain's blasted prophecies did not say. So again I faced Luke alone. I prayed that I would fare better this time.

  It wasn't far, we were all positioned at strategic points where Luke, or any other servant of Dar'cen, would need to pass in order to reach David, the person that I had once been, and the Alex that I had left behind so very long ago.

  Jalholm and the the Alex that I had so very recently been reunited with, were at the opposite end of the main concourse that ran past the café where David and Alex sat, well away from their former selves.

  The earlier Jain sat and watched David and Alex from across the road in a disguise that I believe wouldn't fool David at all if he simply took the time to look.

  Jain, Cartia and Tomas were together, a hundred yards down the narrow street that the motorcyclist fled down, as I recalled.

  I stood in the alleyway that seem to be the continuation of that narrow street.

  To intercept Luke I would need to walk directly past David and Alex as they sat outside sunning themselves. If they only looked up, or I strayed a little too close, they would see me, or at the least David would sense me. But they wouldn't, I knew, or at least I prayed that they wouldn't. I had not sensed anything amiss when long ago I sat there with Alex, and they wouldn't either. The future couldn't be changed, could it?

  Head down, I hurried to the intersection with as much stealth as Dar'cen had gifted me. A bus passed, and I crossed the road behind it using it as cover. Reaching the other side of the concourse, I somehow knew that Alex looked in my direction, and as if on autopilot, I turned into the opening of the shoe shop at the corner, and pretended to admire boots on display there, all the while watching Alex's distant reflection in the glass.

  Seconds later, I was striding down the road again, my heart pounding at almost being seen by Alex, and my palms sweaty at what was going to happen in the next few moments. I had to stop Luke interfering with David's returned to Ellas, with my return to Ellas, but I also couldn't let him get the better of me. It must not end here I thought. We have Dar'cen on the run. It cannot end here.

  In the distance, I could plainly see Jalholm and Alex standing on the pavement, staring in my direction. But they did not stare at me, they watched the figure that sauntered, flowed almost, down the street toward me. He was a hundred yards away, and the look on his face told me that he had seen me. He didn't hurry, he didn't need to, we both knew that.

  In front of him, people stopped, looked for an instant, and then hurried across the road, as if a gang of thugs had been heading toward them. But even those that he had passed did not stop to stare. To a man, they all walked quickly in the opposite direction.

  Only Jain, Alex and Tomas stood their ground and watched Luke – Jain dressed as a suave gentleman and Carthia garbed all in black, but now clothes that marked her almost as one of the Goth fashion; sure stout knee-high laced up black boots, and a black leather coat that met the boots at her knees, and concealed her sword, knives, and a collection of other wicked implements of battle that she always carried. She wore no make-up, as was the way of many Goth women, and so her plain face and long dark hair was in complete contrast to her dress. She was both menacing and beautiful. Tomas stood beside them, fear plain on his face, but I knew that he would die before he let harm come to Carthia.

  Shaking myself from my reverie, I realised that I had stopped in the middle of the pavement, people hurrying away from Luke's slow but steady approach, pushed past me on either side. Concentrate, fool I thought. But I knew that he'd beaten me easily before; not once, but twice. If not for Jalholm's intervention, the last might have been catastrophic.

  And I had told Jalholm not to interfere. I had warned him at length not to involve himself. Since his resurrection, Luke would be wary of any attack by magic, he would have defences now – what, I did not know, but I was absolutely sure of was that anything Jalholm did would now put him in great danger. And besides, Jalholm was essential to our cause, and Dar’cen did not know that he was here with us - he believed Jalholm to be his prisoner back on Ellas.

  I knew that what I did was foolish, but then, what choice did I have. Luke had to be stopped. Dare I do nothing and let fate take a hand to ensure that all went as it had. No, I couldn't do that. I couldn't just stand by and see what happened.

  I met Luke's eyes, matching his face, matching his arrogance. I would stop him stop no matter what else, I would stop him this day.

  No more than ten yards before me, Luke stopped. The sneer on his face was now clear for all to see, and by some trick of the light, his eyes seem to glow malevolently. He, too, as Carthia, was dressed all in black. But he hadn't bothered to modify his dress to fit in with Earth's fashion, he was still as he had been on Ellas – garbed in black from head to, black boots, trousers and jerking, and a black cloak that somehow drew all light into it, almost making Luke seem as if he stood in the jaws of an opening to hell itself. He even still had his great sword strapped to his back, it's hilt visible over his left shoulder. I remembered that sword well – it had almost cut me into little pieces, and had sheared my own sword in two.

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  ‘So you dare to face me again, nameless one. Yes, the master takes back the name that he bestowed upon you. You, he will never now forgive. For you is only endless pain.’

  As he finished those words, Luke suddenly stiffened, his head cocked to one side, almost as if he listened to a voice whispering in in his ear. A long silence fell then, Luke's eyes aglow with hatred, and a snarl on his mouth almost as if he were a rabid dog. He shook from head to foot almost as if he fought some internal battle.

  I waited. He would speak more, I knew. He would have attacked instantly had he not.

  The street was empty now, only Carthia, Jain and Tomas remained to watch, and they had not come closer. In the distance, I could hear the wail of sirens – police, I guessed. Some good citizen had made a call… after they had retreated far from the mad dog before me. It needed to be over before they arrived, otherwise it would be a bloodbath. If, that is, they could overcome the fear and terror Luke radiated, and approach him to make an arrest. The sword alone was cause enough for them to do so. But even if they stayed back and called for armed support they would be of no use. Guns were useless against one such as Luke. They would all die. No, it needed to be over soon.

  Slowly, his snarl now a parody of a smile, Luke reached back and pulled free his sword from its sheath on his shoulder. ‘The master bids me give you a message, nameless one. For you he would grant freedom,’ Luke spat, almost as if the words he spoke were forced, and not what he would say if free to speak his will.

  ‘You may go today. Walk away, and no more will the master seek to reclaim you.’

  I laughed as he spoke, and I could almost hear his teeth grinding together as his jaw clenched at my insult to his master's words.

  ‘In return for this great boon,’ he said, over my laughter, his voice now filled with venom, ‘he wishes the return of his travel rod. The one stolen by the witch…’

  Red filled my vision at his words of Anna, whatever else he said did not register in my conscious mind.

  ‘You dare to name my friend witch?’ I growled, all calm had now deserted me. I wanted only to destroy the man that stood before me. No pity or compassion now existed for the boy Luke. Before me now stood a creature, a mouthpiece for the most foul being in all of existence.

  Luke smiled, and I saw that Dar'cen now lived behind his eyes. That then was the struggle I witnessed, Dar'cen taking him. In his weakened state since he left Ellas, Dar’cen now struggled to occupy one such as Luke. If I survived this day, we will need to find him soon before he again regains his strength.

  ‘Yes, I do,’ came Luke's voice, cold and chilling, his face contorted with rage and hatred. ‘This… this thing that serves me, dares to pit his will against mine. He wishes to destroy you, and abhors the so generous offer that I make. Jealousy, such a human trait. So very pitiful. But I was ever generous, was I not? I will give you freedom. I want only that you return my rod, the rod that the witch stole so very long ago.’

  He laughed then, a cackle, that despite being Luke's voice, I recognised from so very long ago as the laughter of Dar'cen's madness, the laugh that chilled my bones and made me weep.

  ‘Give me the rod and you, I will leave you to do as you wish.’ Luke's face, as Dar'cen spoke through him, had slowly changed from the contorted, anger filled features he had displayed only seconds earlier, to one of almost childlike innocence. His was now the face of the young man that the child Luke would have become if not for Dar'cen. His sword was now back in its sheath, and his hands, palm up, were held out towards me beseechingly.

  Even now he uses guile and cunning to win his way, I thought with revulsion at the memory of how he could so simply make me adore him. I opened my mouth to speak, to tell him all that he truly was, to tell him how I abhorred his very existence. But before the words came, that small voice spoke to me, it's words long since unheard. Use him! It said. Use what he does, what he believes.

  And the words were true. Dar'cen believed that his will was supreme, that he could compel anyone. Only the giants had refused his sweet words. I could make him believe me… and what might he tell me then that we could use to bring him to an end? But could I do it? Could I make him believe me to be under his sway?

  Even now, I could feel the compulsion he extended towards me. Wave after wave of his magic he sent toward me, only to break as it hit and flowed around to pass into nothingness.

  I could resist him now, had been able to since Anna's magic took root. But it had never been easy, always it had taken a force of will. Now though, his efforts were less, not at all what he was capable of. Was it because he acted through Luke, or was he truly that weak?

  I looked into Luke's eyes, saw how they shone with a child's innocence. Saw the smile that spread wide across his face. I can do this, I told myself. ‘You would give me my freedom? Truly?’ I said, my voice barely a whisper as I attempted submissiveness.

  Luke's smile widened. ‘Did I not give my word? Do I not always keep my word?’ The beguiling voice said, now with a hint, just a hint, of triumph.

  I said nothing. I would not overplay this. I had to make him truly believe that he had me.

  ‘Yes, I will set you free. I will never again pursue you. Give me what I ask, that which is mine by right, and you will go free. Again I give my word.’

  I hesitated, but let a hint of a smile twist my mouth. ‘I need time,’ I said, again a whisper, but haltingly as if I struggled to say the words.

  Luke's smile became a grin. ‘Time, such an overrated concept,’ the voice said, the tone that of a father teaching his son the ways of the world. ‘We two, both have crossed times boundaries in the lifetimes we have lived. The gift I gave you has allowed you to transcend time… You have no need of time. There is nothing to think on, you will have your freedom for all of time.’ The voice was pure honey now, every word an enticement, an entrapment for his will. ‘Give me what I asked… and freedom will be yours. It is what you have always wished for, is it not? To live the life that would have been yours but for… but for all the burdens the witch placed upon you. That is what you truly long for.’

  Careful. Be very careful, the small voice said, its first words since setting me on this course of deception. I smiled, forced it into a grin, putting all I could into a facade of longing, and weakening.

  But then, Luke’s eyes slid away from mine to look over my shoulder. For an instant, there was disbelief and shock even on his now so very innocent face. But that was all it was, an instant, for within a heartbeat, Luke's face contorted with rage. His eyes bulged, a vein throbbed at his temple, and a snarl escaped from his gaping mouth. ‘No!’ he screamed. ‘It cannot be. It cannot!’

  I longed to turn and look at whatever it was that caused Dar'cen such anguish. For Dar'cen it was that raged so, even though it was Luke that uttered the words. But I dared not, for there was no telling now what Dar'cen would now command Luke to do.

  Luke's fingers were white as he now gripped the hilt of his still sheathed sword, and his eyes blazed with fury. ‘You! You did this… and you will pay. Your whole world will pay!’

  And then Dar'cen was gone. Only Luke stood before me. But he was not the innocent young man of mere moments earlier, but the creature of death that I had hoped to best this day. His hand loosed its grip on his sword, as the look on his face changed from one of rage to mere contempt. ‘Next we meet, you shall be mine, Nameless One,’ he spat. ‘The master now grants me that wish.’ Then with one more glance passed my shoulder, he turned, and ran back down the now almost empty street.

  I watched in bewilderment until he had passed where Carthia, Jain and Tomas stood, and then finally turned to look behind me. I saw nothing. Nothing out of the ordinary. People stood and stared towards where Luke and I had stood, but other than that, all seemed normal. I saw nothing that could have made Dar'cen react so. What had just happened, made no sense. I turned back to look down the street, a police car had stopped to block the road, its lights flashing blue. But Luke had vanished.

  ‘What happened? Why did he run? He looked furious,’ Jain asked, as he hurried up to me.

  ‘You didn't see anything?’ I asked, though it was plain from his question that they had not.

  ‘See anything? What you mean?’ Carthia asked.

  ‘Behind me. Dar'cen saw something behind me that sent him into a rage.’

  ‘Dar'cen? Jain asked, warily.

  ‘Yes, he rode with Luke. He had an offer to make, but something behind me shocked him… frightened him, I think. He fled Luke's body, and then… well you know the rest, Luke ran too.’

  ‘I saw nothing, Kane. Nothing other than you two. I heard Luke's voice raised in anger, but not his words. But I saw nothing else,’ Carthia said, as she took my hand gently. ‘We must leave now, Kane, the Law Keepers come.’

  Turning, I saw two police officers hurrying our way, and behind them, a second police car skidded to a halt behind the first. ‘This way,’ I said, as I turned into a narrow alleyway between the two shops behind me.

  Carthia and Tomas followed without question, but as I walked, I hear Jain say, ‘What bargain? What did he want, Kane?’

  I ignored him. Then, when we were clear of the street and watching eyes, I spoke into my Walkie Talkie, ‘He has returned now, I feel him no longer so come to us quickly. We must leave this place.’

  Moments later we were all huddled together again, and as all before us blurred, I again heard Jain’s voice. ‘What bargain?’

  ####

  ‘He got off, then, Jain I mean?’ I asked, my voice confident, but inside my stomach was in knots.

  ‘You know full well that he did, that I did, Kane. You know that what has been, cannot be altered. I have told you enough times. Besides, I am here now, with you, am I not?’ Jain said, in his so very odious lecturing voice.

  ‘Do not start, old man,’ Carthia said. ‘Kane has just faced both Luke and Dar'cen himself, and I am sure that he would rather do so again than listen to your lecturing prattle.’ A wide grin filled her face as she finished.

  Jain scowled, but his eyes twinkled, giving the lie to his annoyance at Carthia's words.

  ‘Enough, both of you,’ I said, gently. ‘What happened today, we need to talk through. There is much I do not understand. So all pull up a chair, and I will tell you what Dar'cen said through Luke, and the strange way in which it all ended.’

  We were all back at an old ramshackle farmhouse where we had spent the last few weeks. It was miles from the nearest village - Jalholm had appropriated it as a staging area between the ship and where the final return would take place.

  We all sat, and then I told them, as near as I could word for word, what had happened after I had been told of Luke's approach.

  When I told him of Dar'cen's request, Jalholm said, ‘He wishes to be able to complete his conquest of Ellas… Earth is not enough. He feels thwarted now he cannot return.’

  Jain nodded at the comment but had nothing to add.

  Then, when I told of how Dar'cen had seen something behind me, something that had caused him to flee Luke's body, and to also command Luke to run, they both blurted in unison, ‘What? What was it?’

  ‘I do not know,’ I said. ‘I saw nothing when I finally dared to look after Luke ran. And you yourself said you saw nothing from where you stood watch with Carthia and Tomas, Jain. So what was it that enraged him so… and if I can be any judge of what he is, actually terrified him?’

  I look to each in turn, before I said, ‘Do any of you have any theories about any of it? Have you anything to add, or is this yet another mystery to add to the mix?’