Chapter 39

 

TEMPORAL JUMP – YEAR 2015

 

Kevin’s point of view

 

“Finally made it, then?” Horus spoke with his usual superiority. “For the saviour of civilisation, you’re not very punctual.”

I regarded Horus with irritation, unused to being spoken to with such a self-centred tone. As I strode with no fear into the darkened Hall of the Ancients, Horus unfolded his wings and gestured to me with formal curiosity.

“You weren’t spotted on your way here, I trust?” he quizzed.

I looked at him with an unimpressed expression. “I wasn’t stupid enough to go near Karnak if that’s what you mean. I take it you kicked me a few days out from Karnak for a reason too.”

Horus nodded approvingly, a slight smile playing on his beak.

“All will be explained soon. Come with me, Ka Mensha.”

I snarled, not liking the whole issue of fate, messiahs and destinies, “It’s Kevin!”

He merely smirked and strolled past me towards the looming, stone doorway of the Hall of the Ancients.

“Very well,” Horus answered simply.

Growling with irritation, I turned and followed with sharp, fuming strides. This overgrown bird was starting to really test my temper.

 

Horus led me up into the space above the barren wasteland world where the old slave mines once were, and the Hall of the Ancients stood mutely. Once there, the Ancient unexpectedly grabbed the back of my neck.

“Hey!” I cried out angrily. “What are-?”

I was given no chance to complete my protest. The whole universe seemed to whirl sickeningly. There was a sudden rush of cool air, and I felt my limbs weaken. Suspecting treachery, I lashed out blindly at Horus with my trembling, heavy gecko paws to knock him away, but to no avail. As quickly as the odd sensation had come, it left.

As I recovered and tried to get my bearings, an acute sense of déjà vu overcame me. I’d been in this situation before – when Anubis had dragged me across the Universe to resurrect me as a Soul Creature nearly 350 years ago.

“Where have you brought me, you feathery-!”

Horus appeared from the shadows beside me: “To the centre of the Universe.”

Grunting, I flexed my arms and wings to regain the strength in them. We were still in space – that eerie, floating feeling was instantly recognisable, yet I sensed something different.

“This place is old… I can sense the ages hanging like a blanket…” I commented, swimming to Horus’ side, “…very old.”

 Horus floated before the shadows enshrouding us, spreading his wings wide.

“This is where time and space began,” he declared, and with a blinding flash, light emanated from a glowing blue orb in the darkness in front of us. The icy blue light spread like life-giving warmth across my whole vision, revealing an assortment of archaic devices with ancient symbols unfamiliar to me. All were spheres of a metallic substance, and seemed to orbit the glowing orb from where the light emanated. Their paths were varied, some circular, some ellipses; some orbits were on a horizontal plane, other vertical, and dozens of them were in diagonal patterns in-between.

“Is this some kind of solar system?” I asked, my voice gaining pitch in intense awe.

“Apparently so,” Horus replied knowingly. “This represents the unending cycle of birth, life and death to which all mortals are compelled. Just as the planets will always orbit their star, mortals will always be born and die.”

“Very apt,” I commented, but with none of my previous dryness. “So, what’s this place for?”

“This is where the past and future are revealed, Kevin.” Horus claimed, swimming forwards. “Look at this.”

Intrigued, I kicked my feet to propel myself after Horus. The Ancient stopped by one of the metal spheres. It was about twice the size of a basketball, with an alien rune carved carefully into the surface.

“Spheres with this symbol are closer to the centre orb, and show the past. The spheres further from the orb show the future.”

I nodded dumbly, still trying to take everything in.

“It is very simple, really.”

To prove this, he waved his wing over the sphere, and the rune symbol seemed to melt away like liquid metal. On the smooth surface, images fuzzed and flashed randomly, before settling on one scene. I watched wide-eyed as Brian, Nick, Howie, AJ, and finally, my past self, stepped onto a stage. We were all so different, so young. Memories flickered back to me from the confines of my mind.

“That… that was the first concert we did together…” I breathed, blinking tears at the memories of my friends, brothers, and family.

“We have no time to go through everything about streaming through time and seeing the past and future through these spheres.” Horus stated seriously, abandoning his superior mood once more. “Your task is this…”

 

Solin’s point of view

 

“Have you ever loved somebody, Solin?”

A single memory rekindled at Kevin’s words, and I felt my wings twitch as we headed back towards Karnak mountain.

“And have you ever felt that when you were separated, you could never let the chance of losing them slip away?”

I held my silence, feeling shamed.

“You may be more desensitised to love than I am, but I know that you’re still capable of it – you can remember it!” Kevin shouted.

More silence.

“I love my wife and family, and I still have a chance to find them – I’m not gonna let that chance slip away!” Kevin stated grandly. “No matter what you, or Fotuf, or anyone else says!”

Kevin darted off ahead, and over his wing, he called to me: “Remember what it’s like to love, Solin! Think about it!”

 

I grunted, letting him leave me behind. Infuriated at his persistence, I flew down to the forest canopy and settled on a branch, sulking. He was still clinging to his humanity pathetically.

“Huh! Let him have his stupid mortals!” I declared out loud.

“Oh, come now. Didn’t we all used to be ‘stupid mortals’ at some point?”

I squawked, flapping my eagle wings and spinning toward this new presence.

“Who are you? Why didn’t I sense you?” I cried out in shock.

Two icy blue eyes glowed in the dark on the branch next to mine. Soon his Aversion kicked in, and I sensed his unfathomable power. I hopped further away.

“Practice – I shrouded my Aversion so you couldn’t sense me coming.” The male voice stated. “And you already know who I am?”

“I do?”

The figure leaned out from the shadows, and I gasped. This creature was, without a doubt, Kevin. However, he was far different from the Kevin I knew – he had gecko-y hands and feet, his eyes glowed blue eerily and on his back, he had two huge, impressive dragon wings.

“K…Kevin?” I stuttered. “But-?”

I swivelled my eagle head around to see the small speck that was supposed to be Kevin flapping towards Karnak Mountain.

“Shh,” the gecko paw reached out and gently closed my gaping beak. “Let me explain.”

All I could do was blink in surprise. For such a powerful creature, he could be surprisingly tame and gentle.

“I’m not the Kevin you just argued with. From my point of view, that happened over 300 years ago.”

“You’re…”

“…from the future,” he finished for me.

I swallowed in nervousness, glancing at his demonic appearance.

“What happened to you?” I asked in hesitation.

His eyes glazed over with pain. “Please… don’t mention that.”

I nodded obediently, stunned by these revelations. Carefully, he picked me up and placed me on the branch right next to him.

“Horus the Ancient sent me here,” Kevin stated calmly. “To save civilisation.”

“Why, what happens to it?” I asked naively.

“All civilisations are destroyed by 2075, by conquests and wars.” He claimed sadly. “Everything is corrupted by evil – I’ve already seen the horrors of the following centuries.”

“In the name of the Ancients, what caused it?”

“I can’t tell you,” he replied flatly. “I’m here because I have to change the events that lead to the downfall of the Empires and…… well, I need you to help me out.”

“By doing what?”

He leant closer to me, and I changed into my normal shadow form as he did so.

“When you are heading towards Orion’s Belt a year from now, warn him not to use the Blue Flame.”

I drew back, “Orion’s Belt? Blue Flame?” I chuckled. “Why would you and I have anything to do with those?”

Kevin frowned at me sharply, “Solin, you must tell him. It’s imperative!”

“Why don’t you go and tell him?” I quizzed suspiciously.

“If two incarnations of the same being meet in space and time, a paradox is created capable for destroying the universe!” he claimed dramatically.

Wide-eyed, I nodded fearfully.  “I’d better tell him then!”

Kevin relaxed, smiling in the moonlight. His amiable, endearing features were enhanced by the milky glow.

“Thank you, Solin.” He spoke tenderly. “It’s been nice seeing you again after all these years.”

Much to my surprise, he hugged me tightly, and as he pulled back, he planted a grateful kiss on my nose. “I have to go back. Remember, you have to tell him near Orion’s Belt.”

Spreading his dragon wings, he flew upwards and was soon lost into the depths of space. Gingerly, I put my shadowy paw over my nose, still stunned by his farewell.

Remember what it’s like to love, Solin!

The argument drifted back to my mind, and a shocking realisation suddenly stole over me.

“Uh oh!” I commented to myself, my paw still on my nose.

 

Altered event: 2016…… - Solin’s point of view

 

…………………………

 

As I led Kevin through space towards Orion’s Belt, I was reminded of what the future Kevin had told me – it was coming true. Yet, what would Blue Flame have to do with anything? There hadn’t been a demon in this realm for 1000 years, not since the Ancients ascended and banished them to Oblivion. My mind raced with ideas and thought on what future Kevin had traversed, and what horror he had seen – that pained look in his eyes upon asking him was all too obvious.

Bewildered with the revelations of Kevin, Horus, and the future, I tried to banish the thoughts to the back of my mind. I had to warn Kevin at some point, but I was too confused at that moment.

Over the next few days, Kevin gradually spoke to me, with caution. He regretted fighting with me, and was trying to regain my trust. I still had my doubts about mortals but I felt sympathy for the demonic looking creature I knew he was going to become, and quickly forgave him.

Before long, I had led him very close to Orion’s Belt.

Am I supposed to tell him now?

I glanced at him, but he was eagerly looking towards that centre star.

“You can head back now if you want.” He spoke up. “You can return to your own home now. Back on Karnak.”

“We haven’t reached Orion’s Belt yet.”

“We don’t have to. You don’t have to go all the way there with me in tow.”

“You’re sure?”

“I know the rest of the way home. The central star is only a day away.” He smiled at me warmly. “Have a safe journey back to Karnak.”

“Have a safe journey to Earth.” I replied.

I gently tapped his forehead with my shadowy paw, then held my arm across my chest.

“That’s my original race’s way of saying goodbye to a good friend.”

“This is the Earth way of saying goodbye to a good friend.” Kevin claimed.

He pulled me into a hug. I tensed up, not realising what he was doing at first. I was reminded of future Kevin doing this to me, and my nose tingled with the memory of his friendly kiss, and I wondered if something had gone on between us in some distant century. Kevin pulled back and looked directly at me.

“I don’t suppose I’ll ever see any of you again.” he commented solemnly.

“You may, in time.”

He turned to start heading off on his own.

“Kevin….” I began hesitantly.

Kevin turned back around questioningly. I stayed thoughtfully silent for a few moments, not saying whatever was on my mind.

“Oh, never mind,” I waved her paws casually, dismissing my unspoken thought, doubt and disappointment in my tone. “But there was one other thing…”

“And that is…?” Kevin urged, curiously.

“Under no circumstance use the Blue Flame.”

With that last sentence, I myself turned and swam away towards Karnak. I knew he would have questions, and I would have no answers. I hoped whatever Kevin was heading towards would make him remember this warning. Just as the future Kevin had claimed, it was imperative.

 

…………………………

 

Altered event: 2016…… - Kevin’s point of view

 

I snapped the chains binding my wrists, and then tore at the Armband – Fotuf had done it, and so could I. With human hands, it wasn’t as easy as I imagined, and the metal bit into my palms as it bent and contorted. Before long, I had thrown the now-useless device to the ground with a thud. I flickered into spirit form. I stopped bleeding there, and therefore stopped losing energy.  My confidence grew as I saw the look of fear cloud over the Valedrons’ features.

I remembered Anubis’ gift – the Blue Flame. I hadn’t used it yet, and it sounded very powerful and versatile from Anubis’ description. I glanced back up at the Valedrons. I was eager to see what it would do to these creatures. I had to be in physical form to use it, but it was worth the risk.

I solidified myself, and was about to summon the Blue Flame when Solin’s odd warning came back to suddenly.

She told me not to use it at all… but how did she know about it in the first place? Is she allied with that sneaky jackal? No, she’d never join with that evil dog. I trust her……

Lowering my arms, I strode forwards towards the Valedrons, sending them scattering in all directions. I let them go – I had no time for cowardly lizards. I had a home to reach.

A rushing feeling of vertigo suddenly overwhelmed me. I wondered groggily if this was connected to Solin’s warning in any way. I lurched forwards dangerously, but managed to regain my balance before I fell. I rubbed my head and looked around. I began to feel an Aversion, and realised what it was. Some very powerful being was heading in this direction very fast. That was what made me light-headed. My mind didn’t usually have to cope with this kind of situation: the Soul Creatures usually took their time, and only travelled fast when they needed to. Even then I usually went with them, so it didn’t make me dizzy.

Stopping abruptly, Anubis appeared in front of me, looking enraged beyond belief. I suddenly began to ponder on what the whole deal with this Blue Flame was all about – why was it so important?

“You moron!” he fumed, watching the Valedron’s flee towards the horizon. “Why didn’t you use the Blue Flame?”

I remained silent, bewildered at these unexplained events. As I began to stand, he kicked me harshly in the chest, knocking me back to the floor. I snarled in indignation – it hadn’t hurt, but it annoyed me that he was blaming me for something.

“My plans are in ruins!” he howled, burying his muzzle in his black paws. He growled angrily at me, giving me another swift kick as I was about to stand.

“You may have robbed me of my glory, but you won’t escape my wrath!” he exclaimed.

He thrust his claws out at me and I could see the entire world around me twisting and contorting. All colours drained from the landscape, and one by one, Anubis, the planet, and eventually the sky, had all turned a forbidding, unfathomable black.

Minutes passed – or had they? Had moments passed, or hours? I had the strange sensation that I was floating.  Not like in water, or even the void of space. Here it seemed….. thicker… harder to move about. A sudden numbing thought jolted through me:

Maybe I was dead……….

I definitely wasn’t in the familiar Universe I knew. But was this the afterlife? I had imagined it to be more… well, light.

Once again, Anubis’ voice invaded my troubled, confused thoughts.

“Comfortable, ‘friend’?” he mocked.

I tried to speak, but no sound emerged from my mouth. Instead, I mentally transmitted my words in the hope that Anubis would hear them.

Where am I? Where have you sent me, you lying cheat!

His answer echoed crazily in my shocked mind.

“Oblivion.”

 

YEAR 2015 – Future Kevin’s point of view

 

“So it worked?” I questioned Horus as he darted between the silver orbs. “All of the civilisations are still intact by 2075?”

“Yes,” Horus answered with equal gladness. “See? All still there!”

I moved closer and saw that some of the spheres were activated, showing unspoiled images of Earth, New Nosteran and a densely populated Karnak Mountain.

“Thank God,” I breathed in relief.

“Well, you kept your side of the bargain. I can now keep mine.”

I drew up sharply, wide-eyed and stunned. “You mean… I can go home?”

“Of course,” Horus nodded with certainty. “By travelling time, you have gained the ability to stream through time to any year. Return home, Ka Mesha. You can go back to any year to find your family and friends.”

I swam up to the feather Ancient and shook his wing with my paw. Smiling I thanked him warmly.

“You’ve given me this chance,” I claimed. “I’m really grateful, man!”

“I, too, must thank you, for carrying out this task.” Horus bowed his head slowly.

After our farewells, I left into the depths of space. I pondered on what year to go to. I stopped abruptly, suddenly aware of one vital fact. With my new power, I could return home and stop myself from ever being murdered.

A grin crept over my expression. Everything I caused would be made void if I did that. Yet, I realised that I could never do that – Flyer and the others would all be executed in the mines without my intervention, and everything I had learned and experienced would be lost forever.

I can’t do that. I can’t let Flyer die.

I thought again, I couldn’t just stay in this time. My past self would soon head home for Earth, and I didn’t want to run the risk of bumping into him and creating a paradox. I had to return after my past self was consigned to Oblivion. That was in the year 2016, if my lengthy memory served me right. I was going to jump ahead two years from now – I was going back to Earth in 2017.

 

***

 

 

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