XIV*
Heat swarmed around his head as sand crunched beneath his feet. Eldwin stayed close to Sari as they progressed toward the center of town. It had been three days since they had returned to the market. Mr. Del Mastro had taken it upon himself to see to the shopping. "Good day, Mr. Carmicheal!" His teacher's voice rang out among the calls of vendors. Eldwin stopped and looked down at his shoes as Kirk joined the teacher's side, holding a bag of groceries. "Can you feel the excitement?" The teacher asked as he raised his hands toward the sky and turned to face the street, "Today is the day we visit the Valley of the Kings!"
Eldwin hung his head and let his eyes rest on his bracelet. He hasn't had any more issues since the teacher made him wear it, but there was still so much he didn't understand. "Calm down, Rax." Sari laughed. Eldwin watched as his mother grabbed the teacher's hand. "You always get so excited the first several days in Cairo."
"When I've been away for so long, it's hard not to be excited about returning."
Eldwin picked his head up and glanced around the area. Cars blared their horns as they rushed past. He watched as Kirk turned his back on them. "Reginald should be here any moment now." He heard the teacher say as he walked back to the curb. Eldwin looked at his mother, her hair being pulled back into a low ponytail, and her brown short-sleeved jacket and jeans were a significant deference to her regular nurse and super clean look. He watched as Mother hiked up the strap of a backpack she had found lying in the dresser's bottom drawer and joined the teacher's side. The teacher turned to her and started talking excitedly, to which she smiled and giggled.
With a sigh, Eldwin joined his mother's side, who had yet to notice he had walked up. "How do you two know each other anyway?" Eldwin muttered. He looked up and watched as the teacher and his mother twisted around to him. His mother smiled, yet her cheeks were red as if she was embarrassed to admit to their past. He watched as she struggled to form words before looking away.
"You see, your mother and I met here in Egypt. I was an archeologist searching the Valley of the Kings for the tomb of any and every pharaoh. I wasn't running the dig then, just happy to be doing archeological work." The teacher began
"I had come to Egypt to work in their medical tents. We became good friends after someone whacked him with the wrong end of a pickaxe." Eldwin watched as Sari gave his teacher a sheepish smile, to which he returned a grimace.
"It was a prank gone bad."
"Twenty years later, and I still don't believe you." Eldwin watched as Sari spun around and poked the teacher in the chest, a copy of times with each word.
Mr. Del Mastro opened his mouth to respond when a blaring horn caught him off. "Aww looks like Regioald has arrived." He said at last as he turned his head around. Eldwin leaned forward and watched a dark blue Kia Sportage pull before them. Kirk slid into the back seat, followed by Sari and Eldwin, with Mr. Del Maestro in the front with Reginald.
"Is everyone buckled and ready to go?" Reginald laughed.
"Good back here," Sari called out as she clicked her seatbelt.
"Glad to hear it." With that, Reginald pulled away from the curb and into traffic.
The car moved along for what seemed like hours. Eldwin looked out his window and watched the cities change from prosperous towns to nothing but desert. He could hear his mother and teacher continue bantering for what sounded like the longest time. "Can you please stop?" He asked at last.
"What's wrong, Eldwin?" His mother asked as he fussed with his hair.
"Nothing; I was just wondering how Mr. Del Mastro even got into this line of work."
Eldwin watched as the teacher rearranged himself to get a better look at him but sighed and faced the outside again. "After the death of my first wife, I dedicated my life to serving in the military." Eldwin watched as the teacher looked out his side window. "You could say I am gifted in fieldwork and very knowledgeable. Reginald and I meet while on a dig. I was working for Jackson Timothy." The teacher sighed as he straightened up. "It almost feels like a lifetime ago; I had been out on the field."
"Mr. Del Mastro," Eldwin began, but the teacher held a hand up.
"We are no longer in school, nor do I ever see us returning to the classroom. Please, you and Kirk have my permission to call me Alfred."
"Yes, Mr. Del — I mean Alfred." Before Eldwin could continue, the car stopped before what appeared to be the top of a cliff with a metal stairwell headed down to the bottom where a small dome-like object with a door open to the inside resided. Eldwin stepped out of the car and walked to the bottom of the step, staring into the world below him. Eldwin made a curious face. He had to admit, it wasn't what he expected, but he would reserve judgment.
"Gentlemen and Lady," the teacher spoke from beside him, 'Welcome to the Valley of the Kings. Isn't it magnificent?" Eldwin glanced towards him and saw the teacher had wonder in his eyes. "It's not as spectacular as the east side, but the west side is filled with many unknowns. Who were they, and how did they die? The best part is, what was it like during their reign?"
Taking a step backward, he bumped into Reginald, who had appeared behind him. "Brax, how does it feel to be back home, my friend?"
"I'm not sure how to answer that until I arrive home. I have changed through the years, and I believe I no longer need my current setup. However, I can't wait to see my home again. It was a true oasis when I needed it most." Eldwin gave his teacher a questioning look. So many things about this expedition so far haven't added up.
"So, Alfred," Eldwin choked on the name as goosebumps ran up his arm. He had never called a teacher by their first name, which felt weird. "Why do I get the feeling you used to live here?" The teacher chuckled as he turned towards Eldwin. Eldwin took a step back and watched as he began descending the stairs.
"Young man," Reginald stated from behind as he placed a hand on his shoulder and pushed him towards the stairwell, "you don't know how lucky you are to have that man in your life. I was in awe the whole time we were together. The stories he told me at night while lying under the stars during expeditions are the things I have seen him do. The man laughed as he swung an arm entirely around him, holding a liquor bottle in his hand and the smell of alcohol fresh on his breath.
"Alright, move your hand right now," Sari said from beside him as he felt Reginald's hand move from his shoulder.
"Don't let it happen again. Alfred may wish to preserve your life, but I see no need to." He heard Kirk hiss behind him. Eldwin spun around and noticed Kirk had a knife to Reginald's neck.
"That's enough, Kirk. He's drunk, not a threat." Sari touched his shoulder, causing Kirk to move the knife. Kirk gave him a look of disdain as he pushed past Eldwin and followed behind the teacher. Eldwin heard his mother scoff ever so step. Eldwin turned and watched as Reginald stumbled behind them, weaving back and forth before collapsing onto the ground when they reached the bottom of the pit. Eldwin stepped off to the side to avoid being crushed.
"Um, Rax!" Sari called out as she reached the bottom with the rest of the group.
"Leave him. I won't lie; I am disappointed he couldn't wait until we made it home to drink, but he can sleep off the stupor." Footsteps behind Eldwin told him the teacher was on the move. Taking in a deep breath, he turned and followed after him. He watched the teacher go from one dune to another, touching the soil and drawing runes onto each one. He cocked his head, and the teacher came back to the center of the area, bent down, and drew a circle around him with runes on the outside circle as he stood on the inside. Eldwin felt Sari grab his shoulder and pull him out of the circle, connecting the runes.
Eldwin glanced back at his mother as he heard a voice speak before him. He turned his head and stared into the teacher's back. "By the power of Omega, I command you, display me a window so I may gaze and take in your secrets." His circle began glowing as he spoke, and the runes lifted off the ground and hovered before him. The runes on the dunes glowed as well, shooting beams towards him. The Runes that rested before began changing one by one, but to what, he could not tell. Golden dust particles floated around the teacher, making him appear like a wizard in his element.
"There you are." The teacher said at last. Eldwin watched as he reached a hand towards the last second to the last rune and took hold of it. The rune shone brightly in his hand until all the others disappeared. He watched as the teacher slammed his foot forward, messing up the display in the sand. Eldwin cocked his head and followed the teacher with great interest. He followed the teacher past at least five more dunes before standing before a small dune that wasn't worth anyone's time.
"How did —" Eldwin began but was cut off by Mr. Del Mastro.
"I'll explain to you later. The longer we stand dilly-dallying out here, the greater our chance of seeing Azeal. He has henchmen everywhere, so we must always be on the move." The teacher responded as he came to a stop.
Eldwin sighed and rolled his eyes as he watched his teacher pull his hand back before forcing it forward. The beam shot towards its rune, spreading the sand everywhere. A small door rested in the ground, trapped within a door frame. He watched as the teacher grabbed a handle resembling a circle and attached it to the door, which appeared made from a boulder. He watched as the teacher bent down and rose, pulling on the door. The door wouldn't budge.
Mr. Del Mastro let go of the knob and gave it a quizzical look as Eldwin's Mom ran past him. Eldwin turned toward Kirk as Sari made her way to the teacher. She stood beside him, talking excitedly to the teacher about something. "I feel like I'm forgetting something. I missed placing my key years ago and had hoped I wouldn't need it."
"Alfred," Kirk said, "can't you open it or make a new key with your earth ability?"
"You have earth power? Like my ice?" Eldwin asked in shock.
"You both make excellent points. In my time in the military, I was rewarded with many gifts and talents. The power to move earth at my whim is my most versatile, to say the least." Eldwin's mouth went dry. He had never heard of a military giving away from powers. "If I recall correctly, I put a lock on it so if Azeal was ever freed, he couldn't stumble into my dwelling if he ever found it. I have a lot of secrets I hide from him, to say the least." Eldwin gazed at the door with wonder. He hated to admit it, but this trip was starting to intrigue him.
The wind began wiping up around him. Sand blew in his face, causing him to cough and spit it out. "Rax, it looks like we're running out of time." His mother's voice carried in the wind. It sounded like she was worried about something. "If we stay here much longer, we'll get covered in a sandstorm and maybe even killed in a thunderstorm. Both were in the protections for today's weather." Fear gripped Eldwin's heart. Here he was with his teacher, standing before what could have been a safe house with no way in and possible death. He turned towards his teacher, who stood staring at the door, lost in thought.
"I have to break the spell before the door will open." Mr. Del Mastro responded, "I forgot which spell I put on it, and without full power, I doubt I'll be able to force it open unless." The teacher turned towards him as dark clouds began rolling over them, and lightning danced between them. "The weather today is peculiar, to say the least. I wonder what has angered my brother." Eldwin froze as he turned his sight upwards as well. He could take his bracelet off and try to summon ice, but what good would that do?
"I got it!" The teacher shouted excitedly. Eldwin turned his attention towards him and watched as he began moving his arms in a circular motion. A small tornado began appearing at his feet and rising upwards. Eldwin stepped out of the way and closer to the passed-out Reginald. Kirk stood before him as his mother backed up a few feet from the teacher. Eldwin listened as Alfred began speaking in another tongue. The tornado grew larger and pulled the incoming storm inside, allowing bolts to streak out the side. Sari cheered as the teacher positioned his hands toward the door. "Stand back, everyone; this will get dangerous."
Mr. Del Mastro moved his hands in time with the vortex until he stopped and allowed it to travel towards the door. "Omega, help your servant and use this vessel to break the curse set upon his entryway." Eldwin watched as the teacher moved his hands upwards, lifting the vortex off the ground before slamming it down onto the door. All the lightning shot toward the door, causing an explosion and launching everyone to the ground. Eldwin landed on his back and slid until he hit his head into a dune. He moaned as he rolled over onto his side. The teacher had also been pushed back; however, he stood on one foot with the other bent and both feet caked in mud that appeared to have hardened.
A cry of pain sounded from behind Eldwin. He turned, and his eyes widened. Reginald lay behind him, cut in half with blood pulling around him. Nausea was overwhelmed by his senses as his mother ran past him and got on his right side. "Reggie!" Sari yelled. Eldwin watched as Reggie tried moving, only to be stopped by his mother, "Rax," His mother yelled. The teacher arrived next to his friend and sighed.
"Oh, Reggie." The teacher sighed. "I've warned you so many times drinking would get you in this predicament."
"Can you help him?"
Eldiwn watched as the teacher glanced back toward the entryway. "He can not be helped anymore. Many places of his body either exploded off because of the liquor in him colliding with the lightning or worse." The teacher looked away. "I'm sorry this happened, Reggie, but I can do nothing to save you." Eldwin watched as the teacher stepped away, allowing Reginald to grab his foot.
"Abraxas, you can't leave me here to die!" Reginald shouted. Fear was in his voice, and tears began filling his eyes. "Please save me!" Eldwin's eyes widened as he stared at the teacher's back. He knew that name, but he couldn't place where. He watched as the teacher turned around and faced him once more. He threw his hand out towards the vortex as it sped towards them. He closed his hand and threw his fingers back out like a starburst, causing the vortex to disappear and return the thunderstorm to the sky.
"Reggie, you know I am a warrior, not a healer. There is nothing I can do."
"If we get him to the hospital, I could..." Sari began to protest.
"He is beyond fixing. Even if we could, he would have no quality of life. Even now, he is dying."
Eldiwn watched as the teacher stepped toward him, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a gold letter opener. Eldwin reached out to the teacher. He didn't know what he was trying to do, but he knew he had to be stopped. Alfred flicked the opener downwards in his palm, causing it to grow into a sword that sparkled like diamonds in the reflection of the storms above. Eldwin felt strong arms wrap around him and pull him back. "Leave him alone." Kirk growled in his ear, "This is hard enough without you interfering."
"Master," Eldwin heard Reggie say. His voice was weak. Eldwin watched as a tear slid down his cheek. The teacher stood above him, poised, with the sword's tip pointing down at his chest. Sari moved out of the way and ran toward Eldwin, keeping her back on the display.
"I thank you for your service to the all mighty. I pray that in your ascent to the kingdom ruled by the creator, he will care for you and reward you for the work you have provided me in the past. With this prayer, I end your suffering."
"Abraxas, I—"
Eldwin opened his mouth to speak, but it was too late; he watched as his teacher plunged the end of the sword into his friend's chest. Reggie's body fell numb, and his eyes were vacant. Eldwin pulled away from Kirk and stared at the sight on the sand. He watched as the teacher plunged a sword into his friend's chest before removing it, coated in his blood. Eldiwn took a step back as the teacher turned towards him, the storm wind blowing the collar of his jacket. "You — You killed him," Eldwin murmured. The teacher's eyes displayed sorrow, but he was stern and unreadable.
"It had to be this way, Eldwin. I hope soon you will learn I'm not the man I pretend to be. I have seen many things a man should never have to see. Because of me, you must relive some of those mistakes and ensure they don't repeat themselves. I have dedicated my life to the will of Omega. In the end, it cost me everything. I don't kill because I want to. I kill to fulfill the will of the great prophet."
"Are you going to murder us now? What about Mom?"
"Don't be ridiculous, young man. If I wanted to kill you or your mother, I would have done it long before now."
"Eldwin, the door is open, let's go."
"How can you trust him after watching him do that?" Eldwin screamed.
"I've seen kill many people. This isn't my first time. Remember, we had been friends long before you were born. If you don't trust him any longer, at least trust me," Sari grabbed his hand firmly and squeezed it before letting go and heading toward the tunnel with the open door. Rain began falling from above, washing the blood off his teacher's blade. Kirk pushed past Eldiwn and the teacher, following Sari into the darkness.
"I will not murder you without cause." The teacher stated as he stepped forward, tears visibly falling from his eyes. "I had to take my friend's life. I didn't want him to suffer."
"Who exactly are you?" Eldwin shouted as the teacher passed him and began descending the stairs. The sword sprung to life, and illuminating pictures were on the wall. The teacher glanced at the one on his left and pointed toward it. Two men stood side by side. They were identical in every way—except the one on the left was wearing golden armor with a white dragon on the breastplate, and the one on the left was wearing black armor with the same white dragon.
"My name is Abraxas, and I'm taking you to Anderil. I traveled here many years ago, hoping to find a way to save my brother from the destruction he faced. My one wish is to return my twin to Omega's court, but I fear with each passing day, he falls deeper into the clutches of the wicked, and one day, he won't be allowed to return to the King's Court by my side. Azeal had made his bed, and now he is forced to sleep in it."
Eldwin took a step back. By the power of this man before him, he assumed that he was the one in gold and the Azeal was the one in black. Thoughts raised through his mind as he felt his body become immobile. He thought he knew so much about his teacher. He was a lovely man who was always looking after him and his favorite teacher who had a crush on his mother on top of having some power. Nausea threatened to burst from his mouth as the thought crossed his mind; he had no idea who this stranger was.
"Does mother —-" He trailed off and looked away
"Yes, your mother knows every detail I have to offer." The teacher faced him, but Eldwin felt his gaze pierced his soul this time. " After everything I've done, she still puts her life in my hands." Eldwin looked away. His mother trusted him, which should have been good enough for him, but something was still nagging at him, which he couldn't put a finger on.
"Despite my past, I am the same man. I changed my name to Alfred Del Mastro to blend in with your society." Abraxas snapped. "You can do as you wish, young man. All I know is that you can follow me and trust me as Alfred since we are the same, or you could stand out here and let the storm kill you, or worse, Azeal." A shiver raced down Eldwins spine as he stared into the man's eyes. They were cold and calculated as if sizing him up. From the way he made it sound, he was dead either way. Forcing his feet to move as thunder rumbled behind him, he followed Abraxas into the hallway and away from the storm.
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen247.Pro