Chapter 38

Kevin’s point of view

I still remembered the terrified Valedrons as I swam through the depths of space. I was heading for Karnak, empty for centuries and shrouded in legends and mystery. No other Soul Creatures remained from Anubis’ campaigns, and I was alone there. Yet, the silence had become bearable after a century or so. Frightening my old enemies kept me going. Torrential rain poured onto me as I flew towards the old mountain. It drove against me mercilessly. I could no longer change from physical to spectral form at will – trial and error had taught me that when I dropped below a quarter of my full strength, I would remain in my current form until I rested. I was stuck in physical form at that moment, getting drenched. Lucky for me that I didn’t feel the cold anymore. Landing on a darkened ledge, I folded my huge dragon wings behind me and walked into the mild warmth of the caves.

Yet, as I walked, a subtle Aversion flickered from behind me. I stopped in my tracks, unafraid of any foe.

“I suppose you think that was terribly clever?”

Turning around, I blinked at the stranger standing on the ledge, getting as soaked as I had. It was a humanoid figure, but with a falcon’s head and covered in feathers - much like Anubis being a humanoid jackal. This falcon wore a blue and gold robe that was draped casually over his feathery shoulders.

It was an Ancient!

He was half-grinning at me, awaiting an answer. He was obviously referring to my trick on the Valedrons. I gave no immediate answer, a little shocked. I had never encountered any other Ancients besides Anubis, and wondered if their motives were alike. Strangely, and unnaturally, I felt no fear: though there was a chance of him being hostile, I considered myself strong enough to fight anyone who dared, yet even if they were more powerful, they would end my painfully outlived existence and my guilt.

“Oh, come on!” I exclaimed in amusement, chortling. “Did you see their faces?”

“You possess many great powers, Zakkar, but you shouldn’t use them so lightly!” The falcon berated, stepping into the shelter of the cave.

I frowned at that reply.

“Who are you?” I quizzed curiously. “And how do you know that name? We’ve never met before.”

“You do not have to meet a legend to know their name, fellow spirit.” He stated. “I am Horus, an Ancient, as you have no doubt guessed.”

“I had,” I replied flatly.

Horus shook water from his feathers as I took a few fearless steps forwards. He seemed as unafraid as I was, not even bothering to keep his distance from me.

“You’re not frightened of me.” I commented, slightly confused. “You obviously know of my legend.”

“I do, Zakkar.” He answered simply.

“Then you know I’m more powerful than any other entity in existence.”

“Of course I do,” Horus replied with no hostility or tension.

His complete lack of any curiosity or fear started to irritate me. To illustrate my previous point, I swiftly darted across to him within a split second, striking him across his beak and knocking him towards the wall, unfurling my wings to look imposing. From there, I grabbed his throat and held my hand, hovering, in front of his face, summoning the flickering icy flames that symbolised my legend. If there was any observers to this, all they would have seen was a flicker of shimmering, blue light as I appeared to move from one place to the next in a split second.

“And that I could kill you where you stand?” I growled, snarling at him.

Horus remained strangely unafraid and unconcerned. He merely shrugged casually.

“I’d gathered,” he claimed, nodding calmly. “But you’re not going to anyway.”

I was taken aback at his certainty, his total lack of terror. I wasn’t used to such bravery – or stupidity, however you look at it – and this just incensed me even more.

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that if I were you,” I told him. “If there’s one thing I hate more than Valedrons, its Ancients.”

“Ah, yes. Anubis.” Horus recalled, taking a deep, thoughtful breath. “Not on the best of terms? Well, you might as well let my throat go if you’re not going to destroy me.”

Arrogantly, he patted my hand grabbing his feathery neck, grinning with superiority. I narrowed my arms, pulling my arm away sharply.

“Oh, you two are a pair, aren’t you?” I yelled, trembling with anger and irritation. “You’re just as pretentious as he is!”

“Pair? With Anubis?” Horus snorted. “That evil meddler? Don’t insult me.”

Horus brushed himself down as I stepped back, ruffling his cloak and feathers with indignation. He didn’t speak further, so I decided to push him for information.

“What do you want from me anyway?” I asked, not to kindly. “Why are you here?”

“I need your help, Zakkar,” he claimed, his tone becoming softer and less egoistic. “I ask that you trust me.”

Snarling, I turned on him: “The last time I trusted one of you, I spent 200 years trapped in Oblivion!”

“I know Anubis is a cold-hearted tyrant, but should the entire universe have to suffer for his betrayal?” Horus pressed. “There is more at stake here than you realise.”

I frowned, staring at him with distrust.

“Go on.”

Horus sighed, scratching his beak thoughtfully.

“Where to begin…..” he muttered to himself. “Do you believe in fate?”

“No,” I replied, blankly unable to understand his method of explanation.

“I know what you mean,” Horus exclaimed, beginning to pace back and forth. “Many share you belief. Why don’t you believe in fate?”

“I don’t like the idea that my life has already been decided for me.” I stated. “I don’t like to think that all that has happened to me these past centuries was unavoidable. That I went through all that pain and misery while trying to escape the inevitable.”

“Fate is flexible, Zakkar.” Horus stated with certainty. “All beings must choose their destiny. Every action has a reaction – we must all take responsibility for our actions.”

I was guiltily reminded of my role in the fall of civilisation. Now, hearing this, I felt more at loss, and at fault.

“That’s comforting,” I commented with sarcastic distress. “So you’ve come to taunt me?”

“On the contrary, I’ve come to help you.”

“How?”

“There is one role I play out that is unknown to all other creatures, both mortal and spirit alike. I am the Guardian of Time.”

“The Guardian of Time?” I gasped. “I’ve heard of that!”

“From the Monks of the Aquilarus Order, no doubt.”

“I… I thought that was just a myth!” I exclaimed. The Monks of the Aquilarus Order were bird-like beings who were devout believers in an ancient prophecy. It told that a legendary figure called the Guardian of Time would reach into the future and return with a powerful warrior to defeat the evils of the known universe. This warrior was called ‘Ka Mesha’. In the aftermath of Anubis’ revenge, I had dismissed this as false hope, especially since the Monk’s order was practically wiped out by looting pirates several years ago.

“I am no myth – the Monks’ legend is based on an old prophecy of the Ancients that, when civilisation was threatened by evil, a great spirit warrior would arise to restore the balance of order to the known universe.”

“So Anubis was … looking for this warrior?”

“The Ancients thought that if we found this spirit earlier on, we could train him so he could fulfil this role. We seemed to have failed, when Anubis went mad with power and tried to recapture you so harshly.”

“Harshly doesn’t scratch the surface, believe me.”

“Indeed,” Horus agreed wryly. “Anyway, The other Ancients believed the mortal realm was over, and vowed to never to interact with the mortals again. Yet, my role as Time Guardian had required me to break this vow.”

“Come to find ‘Ka Mesha?” I asked amused, still half believing the myths to be rubbish.

“Regardless of your cynicism, I have.” Horus stated. “You know the myths of the Aquilarus Order. I’m reaching into the realms of what the first Monks regarded as the future; I’m trying to get you to help me, and they don’t come more powerful than you.”

“I’m flattered, I’m sure.” I commented sarcastically. “So you think I’m Ka Mesha?”

“You are Ka Mesha, because I have chosen you to help.”

“And you’re the Time Guardian for sure?” I asked doubtfully. “So you can see into the past?”

“And the future.”

“But I thought you said that all actions have - ”

“I said that fate is flexible!” Horus declared. “I can see the paths of the future that every being is going to take if left to their own devices, but the future can be altered, but altering the past.”

“Keep talking,” I instructed, becoming interested.

“If the events causing the Valedrons to serve Anubis can be prevented, he cannot use them to destroy all civilisations in the known universe. Earth, the Dragon Empire, and the Soul Creatures would live on.”

“Let me guess,” I cut in. “You want me to go back into the past and stop Anubis destroying everything.”

“Basically.”

“Why can’t you go?”

“The other Ancients would know I had disappeared. Someone else has to go.”

I paused, remembering my past as a Soul Creature. “Sorry, no deal.”

“Why not?” Horus looked taken aback.

“I don’t trust you. Why should I help you – it’s your race’s fault I’m stuck here in this godforsaken, barren existence!”

“Don’t you understand, Kevin? I’m giving you the chance to go back!”

I stared at him in shock. “How do you know my real name?”

“I’ve been watching you. I kept an eye on you, knowing ever since you turned against Anubis after escaping the mines that you were destined to become Ka Mensha.” Horus explained. “I know the promise you made to your cousin.”

My own words from over 300 years ago echoed back to me in my mind:

I’m coming back, Brian. I promise, I’m coming back…….

“I see your despair, Kevin. But you can make amends.”

“I… don’t understand.”

“If you help me, I will help you in trying to get home.” Horus stated. “There is a chance, if all goes well, that I can return you to the place that you came from.”

Wide eyed, filled with new hope and possibilities, I mouthed my agreement, unable to speak in shock. Yet, my voice was soon found again, and I spoke up.

“Yes,” I replied. “I’ll do it. Just tell me what I need to do.”

Horus grinned in relief, gratefully patting my shoulder.

“Not too hasty now, Kevin.” He chortled. “First you must go back in time, and consult my past self of further instructions. Past-Horus will have foreseen this event with his powers of Guardianship, and will know what to do.”

Horus stepped back, turning around. He pointed his wing out in front of him, drawing an elaborate pattern out in the air in front of him. When he had done this, he muttered something inaudible and a bright flash filled the cave, blinding me. I covered my face with my hands, groaning as I waited for my vision to return. Blinking, I watched as my vision cleared, and space seemed to twist in front of Horus. Light was bent and contorted. A small speck of white light appeared at the centre of this distortion, and the tear in the fabric of time grew larger, expanding and swirling.

“What is that?” I cried out in bewilderment.

“A portal to the past, my friend.” Horus claimed. “All you have to do is step through it.”

I nodded, stepping forwards, feeling uneasy, but too hopeful of a second chance to be suspicious of this Ancient. I reached my hand out tentatively, touching the surface of the portal. It shimmered as it swirled, like the surface of water. Fascinated, I pulled my hand out and repeated the action, awed by this new knowledge of time travel.

I half turned, as I folded my wings tightly behind me. I smiled at Horus.

“See you in the past, then?”

“Head to the Hall of the Ancients: the place of your resurrection. I will meet you there.” Horus promised.

Without a second thought, I stepped into the watery doorway and disappeared from the terrible universe of the year 2340 forever.

Horus’ point of view

I watched the lone Soul Creature step into the gateway to the past, and then sealed the portal again. Satisfied I had begun his journey of restoration and salvation, I walked to the cave entrance to savour the beauty of the abandoned planet, the former home of the Soul Creatures. The rain had stopped, and the sun was beginning to rise above a distant mountain range. Its light made every leaf and bush glitter with shimmering brightness in the valley below.

“Farewell to you,” I spoke aloud, “Kevin Richardson; son of Jerald; former pilot of Dragon Alpha; first Zakkar Draconis of the Dragon Empire; resident of Karnak; the lost demon. Farewell to you, to the Ka Mensha.”

I took to the air, heading for the Ancient’s Council before I was missed, revelling in the new seeds of hope I had just sown: I had begun to complete what Anubis never could.

“Ka Mensha….. or in the language of your people……. Soul Warrior.”

***

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