The Scavenger moved forward and hugged Mascae. Tears started flowing from their eyes. James could not stop his tears as well.
After a minute, the Scavenger spoke, “Let’s forget the past. You need salvation. The divine powers have chosen us as the medium.”
“Wandering all these years around this place has been like torture. I need salvation. The misunderstandings have now been cleared. Please help me out, dear Scavenger.”
“Please accompany us,” the Scavenger said.
They all joined hands. The Scavenger chanted a spell and the trio disappeared.
They appeared near their friends.
Archer asked, “Where is Mascae?”
The Scavenger looked around, but he too could not spot him.
“Did he leave us?” James asked.
“I am there, guys,” a voice came beside James. “Wait!”
Within seconds, Mascae appeared.
“Hi,” Mascae grumbled.
The Scavenger turned to Mascae. “You will get salvation only after you heal and close the Golden Wound!”
Mascae shook his head. “I can’t.”
“How can he talk?” Archer asked. “The riddle said the soul is mute.”
“The riddle, huh! It seems you haven’t understood it well. Being mute doesn’t mean that I can’t talk. It means that I can’t remember a few things related to my salvation. I can’t remember how to close the Golden Wound.”
James clicked his fingers, “Oh…! Don’t worry. The riddle provides the way. You need to drink the nectar from the Shrine of Youth!”
Mascae nodded. “Oh, that’s wonderful. Thankfully, I know how to get to the Shrine of Youth. Follow me.”
The Scavenger summoned the chariot, and they climbed in.
James felt a drop of water on his head and winced in pain.
He looked up at the sky. Dark indigo clouds slowly covered the sun and more drops began to fall.
“Find cover,” the Scavenger yelled. “Rain in the Dark World is poisonous!”
“There’s no cover!” Archer shouted as he looked around. The Scavenger knelt in the chariot and fumbled with a panel, pressing a button. A rectangular opening revealed itself in the middle of the chariot, big enough for them to enter.
“Get inside that,” he said, ushering them into the underground room.
James fell and descended on soft silk cushions in the small but well-furnished room. The room had carved chairs of ebony, upholstered with silk, and a matching table, on which sat a chestnut brown box in the shape of a walnut shell.
A large control panel and a big screen on the wall showed where they were heading. The Scavenger sat down on a chair and operated the controls.
James plopped down on a chair and curiously examined the walnut-shaped box. “Well, this is curious.”
“Who cares about that!” Matt said, looking around impatiently. “I am hungry.”
“You can eat whatever you want out of that box. Just put your hand in, imagine the food and pull your hand out,” the Scavenger explained.
Matt rushed towards James. “Give me that!”
It seemed like they were in a dreamland. Stuffing cheese-and-mince pies, strawberry cakes and dumplings, the children had a great feast.
Eating the delicious food made everyone drowsy. It didn’t take much time for them to fall asleep.
Suddenly, a considerable jerk shook the chariot. “Hey!” James cried indignantly as he was awakened from a peaceful sleep.
“What happened?” Archer asked, seeing a worried Scavenger.
“The chariot crashed into a Crostux, and a big one! It got killed with the impact, but the chariot skidded to the side, disturbing some monsters. They are now attacking us.”
The Scavenger continued, “Put on your armours; we need to fight. Who can man the chariot?”
“I will do that,” James said, scurrying to the Scavenger.
“It’s easy,” the Scavenger said as he wore his armour. “You will figure it out. We can’t let the monsters inside our chariot at any cost!”
The children took two swords each and followed the Scavenger above.
Hundreds of monsters were attacking from all sides, launching themselves at the chariot.
The Scavenger slew a monster that had climbed the chariot. “Do anything you want – just stop them. Use your powers!”
“Aye, aye, sir!” Daniel gave a mock salute.
The Scavenger then commanded, “Matt, take down the flying monsters.”
Matt nodded and started to summon powerful winds.
“Archer, if you see a monster coming too close to the wheel, throw fire. The traps will be activated. Don’t worry; the chariot won’t burn. Go!”
The Scavenger drew his Lightning Sword and leapt into battle.
A creature growled and ran towards the wheel. Archer blew fire and warded him off.
Suddenly, spears shot out from the chariot and headed towards the monsters. Immediately after, a cannonball launched from the chariot. Archer realized that James had quickly learnt how the control panel worked.
The monsters were huge in numbers.
The Scavenger shouted in panic towards Archer, “We can’t fight them. Tell James to speed up the chariot. We have to get out of here!”
Archer raced down below.
“James,” Archer shouted, “Increase the speed. We need to escape.”
James searched for a speed button when he saw the words ‘Rocket Propeller’ on a button.
Archer almost fell as the chariot burst out of there like a bullet.
“Tell the others to come down,” James said as he pulled the levers. “I am activating a force field on the chariot. It will protect us and will throw off anyone who tries to climb the chariot.”
Archer went above and found, to his dismay, that despite all the efforts, the chariot was swarming with monsters.
Archer quickly ushered the Scavenger and his friends inside to safety. As soon as they were in, James activated the force field and put the chariot in auto-drive mode.
“How come there are so many?” Archer asked.
“I don’t know,” the Scavenger said. “I am surprised myself.”
“Maybe Mascae will know…” Archer said, and frowned. “Hey, where’s Mascae?”
The Scavenger’s face paled and his fist clenched. Thoughts of Mascae leaving them crossed his mind.
“Hey, hey! I am here! On the bed,” an indignant Mascae called.
“Why aren’t you visible?” the Scavenger asked.
After a moment, Mascae appeared.
“We have left the monsters behind. The force field threw away whoever was on the deck,” James said, after returning from the deck above. “Also, dusk has fallen.”
The Scavenger let out a sigh of relief. “Good riddance.”
“How much time will it take to reach
