James was glad to take over the mantle. He recalled all that he read in the books at Pyros’s cave. He took a deep breath and said, “We know that you are the original inhabitants of Jupiter, living here for millennia. Your abode is in the Great Red Spot, hidden by the storms. That is why no satellite has ever managed to catch a glimpse of you. You are diligently protecting the First Page of Destiny. It is your only task. To fight wars against evil is your deepest desire. It’s your passion. You can’t do without excitement and challenges. You long to go to various places in the Universe to fight wars and battles. Your greatest regret is that you don’t have enemies here in Jupiter, and you cannot leave Jupiter unless you hand over the First Page of Destiny to the worthy.”
James paused. The Scavenger, Pyros, Daniel and Archer were silently admiring James.
After a few moments of silence, James continued, “You had once requested Lord Arcane to get the First Page of Destiny shifted to the Dark World, but your request went in vain. Lord Arcane had no power to move the First Page of Destiny from Jupiter. All along, you have eagerly waited for the worthy to whom you can hand over the First Page of Destiny and be freed from this duty.”
James stopped with a final message. “We have come from Pyros’s cave. You must help us.”
Commander Greene was surprised. Suspicion was no longer visible on his face. He turned towards the Greenies and nodded.
It was an exciting scene. Commander Greene bowed to the Scavenger. “I am convinced that you are the ones to whom we can hand over the First Page of Destiny.”
Commander Greene then raised both hands and muttered a strange spell. A box appeared in his hands.
Commander Greene handed over the box to the Scavenger. The Scavenger glanced inside the box, closed his eyes and put the box in a Magic Compartment.
Archer grinned at the thought of a Magic Compartment. Magic Compartments were an effective way to store anything of any size. Only the owner of the Magic Compartment knew its exact location in space, and therefore no one could breach it. In their previous journey to fight the Skull Warrior by forming the Slayer, the Magic Compartments had been of amazing help to them.
“Thank you, Commander Greene. You and your team did well in protecting and preserving the First Page of Destiny all these years. You are now free and not bound here anymore.”
Commander Greene pointed towards James. “As this boy already said, we love action. It was tough to guard the First Page of Destiny all these years. We are mightily relieved and are free to go anywhere we want, but we have no idea where to go. We have no destination as such...” Commander Greene shrugged.
James said abruptly, “Why not accompany us to the Dark World?”
Suddenly, murmuring started among the Greenies. It seemed as if James had touched a chord in them.
Daniel pitched in, “Look, the Dark World is home to unexpected dangers. Almost everywhere, you will get opportunities to fight evil. It would be great if you could help us.”
Archer tried to do his bit. “Yes, the Dark World has exciting fights to offer. Wouldn’t you like to take on the powerful enemies and mighty warriors?”
“Yes...” the Greenies whispered.
The Scavenger seized the opportunity and riled the Greenies further. “Do you want to crush enemies by your superior fighting skills?”
“Yes...”
“Do you want to put your weapons and armour to good use?”
“YES!”
The Greenies were now, shouting in excitement. They huddled around Commander Greene and they all conversed in a strange language.
After a while, Commander Greene turned towards the Scavenger. “We have decided to accompany you to the Dark World. Please arrange a secluded place for us to reside. Whenever you call us, we could reach you in a flash.”
As the Greenies left to regroup and prepare, the Scavenger turned towards James. “That was brilliant. The support of the Greenies will greatly help us.”
In an hour, the Greenies were ready. Meanwhile, the Scavenger contacted Pyros and briefed him about the developments. They decided that they would keep the Greenies in the Shephard Mountains in the Dark World. Pyros told the Scavenger to wait while he arranged a portal to the Shephard Mountains for the Greenies. As Pyros cut the connection, the Scavenger briefed the Greenies about the Shephard Mountains. “You can comfortably live there and practice your war skills.”
Commander Greene said, “Okay. Whenever you call, we will reach you within seconds. Take this.” He handed a bracelet to the Scavenger. “Just press it. I will be alerted and reach your location almost instantly.”
The Scavenger thanked Commander Greene.
After a while, the portal sent by Pyros for the Greenies appeared.
The Greenies waved goodbye to the Scavenger, Archer, Daniel and James, and entered the portal.
Once the Greenies had gone, the Scavenger and company entered their portal back to the Dark World.
3
They emerged in Pyros’s cave.
“Congratulations,” Pyros said. “That was very smart of you, James. Not only did you get the First Page, but you also managed to get the Greenies on your side. And that too, without any violence.”
“Oh, please,” James said. “It could have been thought of by anyone.”
Everyone looked at him incredulously.
“Or maybe not,” James muttered. “Just trying to be humble.”
Pyros smiled gently and got straight down to business. “No time for celebrations, folks. The achievement is meaningless unless we get the Second Page of Destiny. Let’s begin.” He pulled out a scroll and read out the riddle to the Second Page of Destiny:
“Out of Earth will it be found,
Where there is no sound,
A thin sheet,
And an incredible feat.
You get the Page, without pain,
Only need is a genius brain.
The thin sheet to be taken as two-fold,
To get the second, the first you must hold
From the Mountain Rock,
To the Great White North.
Left by the
