“We need to be prepared in case Ashure doesn’t make it back or he comes back alone. You have Mr. Gryphon, but the dagger alone will not be enough to protect you. The Water Sirens will do everything they can to slow down the alien and will help us as much as they can once it gets here,” she said.
“Can the alien inhabit the Water Sirens?” he asked, warily scanning the water.
“I don’t think so. The alien would have to inhabit each molecule of water. That would be an impossible feat since the sirens would merely dissolve and scatter,” she explained.
“Well, that is at least one small positive, I guess,” he wryly replied.
“One,” she agreed.
“How do you suggest we prepare a defense?” he finally asked.
She studied their surroundings. There wasn’t a lot they could do. Their best defense was the magic contained in the mountain.
“We need to get to higher ground. I’ll find an area large enough to set up our base camp,” she said.
“I’ll gather our equipment,” he replied with a nod.
“Asahi—thank you,” she murmured.
He tilted his head. “For what?” he asked with a flash of surprise.
She lifted a hand and caressed his cheek. “For not listening and going the other way when I told you to,” she answered.
She turned away from him and focused. The familiar transformation swept through her, changing her flesh from silken soft to hard granite. Long, powerful wings swept out behind her. She bent her knees and pushed off the boat’s deck. Soaring upward, she sought a place where they would take their first stand against the alien. Hopefully, they would not be alone.
Isle of Magic
After discussing a strategy to retrieve the Time-Space hoop, Ashure warily scanned the area outside the dome. Ariness walked over and stood in front of him and Orion while Mike brought up the rear. He glanced briefly at Orion and saw the same expression of apprehension and determination on the Sea King’s face. Shadows were rippling among the dead and dying foliage.
“I will create a shield, similar to the one around the dome, that will protect us until we get to the village,” Ariness promised.
“The amount of magic needed to maintain it will drain you, Ariness,” Orion cautioned.
Ariness looked at them with tired, sad eyes. “Yes. Mike and I both know that we will not be returning. The only hope for our world will rest on your success,” he replied.
“Ariness, are you positive you can work the hoop? It was my understanding that only a Time Wizard can properly control them,” Orion asked.
Ashure grimly nodded. “We found out the hard way what happens when a novice uses the hoop,” he added.
Ariness’s smiled sadly. “Then it is a good thing that you have one with you,” he commented before turning away and lifting his staff.
Ashure tightly gripped his sword when the transparent shield morphed outward. They stepped through the opening and paused, giving the magic time to reseal behind them. Cocooned in a bubble, they cautiously advanced down the path.
Behind him, Ashure heard Mike’s labored breathing. He looked over his shoulder with concern. The entity’s dark essence ran under the skin on his neck like spider webs.
“Mike,” he murmured, slowing down to walk beside him.
“I’m good. I’m good,” Mike hissed between clenched teeth.
He tried to wrap an arm around Mike’s waist, but Mike shook his head. Ashure frowned when Mike staggered a few steps away from him. It was clear the man was on the verge of collapsing.
“Don’t!” Mike yelled. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that to come out so harshly. Cornelia and the healer warned me that their magic would only contain the alien for so long. I don’t want to risk it infecting anyone else,” Mike explained in a strained voice.
“We will make this right,” the Pirate King swore.
Mike’s eyes darkened with emotion. “I hope you do. I would really love to hold my wife and son,” he said.
Pain flashed through Ashure when he thought of Tonya. He understood exactly what Mike was feeling. The thought of never holding Tonya again was more than his mind and heart could handle.
He looked around at the dying landscape. There was no future in this timeline. He turned his focus on Ariness. The old wizard held the key to a different future, hopefully a better one. If Ariness unlocked the door, Ashure would do everything in his power to ensure that both he and Mike made it home to their families.
A low howling sound penetrated their protective bubble, and the alien shadows in the village multiplied, blindly creeping closer to the group, unable to pinpoint their exact location.
“They know we are here,” Ariness stated.
“It’s because of me,” Mike said through clenched teeth. “The alien that’s taking over my body is… reaching out to warn them.”
Ariness nodded. “We won’t have much time. I cannot maintain the magic shield when I work the spell to activate the Time-Space Hoop. Mike, you must use your connection with the alien to keep it at bay,” he instructed.
Mike nodded. “Let me know when you’re ready,” he said.
Ashure looked warily at Orion. There weren’t a lot of choices available. This would be their only chance of changing a devastating future for not only the Seven Kingdoms but countless other worlds, including Earth.
Ariness gave a sharp nod, and they weaved their way through the debris to the center of the village. Ashure saw the Time-Space hoop lying along the cobblestone road. He flexed his fingers around the hilt of his sword. Orion did the same, holding his Trident at the ready.
Once the hoop was within the protective bubble, Ariness stopped. He jammed his staff down between the stones but continued to hold onto it. Ariness’s pallid complexion shocked Ashure when the old wizard twisted around and faced them. The man looked as if he had aged a century since they’d left the encampment.
“Step into the hoop and lift it above your head,” Ariness
