this time. Better let me take it from here.”
Hesitating a moment, he nods when he sees the wisdom in the suggestion. Stepping back, he allows Jiron to cross.
Uther comes to the edge and looks down. “Let’s see just how deep this is,” he says. Picking up a rock, he drops it into the darkness below. Jiron pauses before crossing and listens with the others. No sound comes back to them.
Jorry looks to Uther and says, “That’s pretty deep.” Uther nods in agreement.
Jiron then resumes crossing the bridge and reaches where it ends on the island. Stepping hesitantly upon the stone surface he gradually places his entire weight upon the island. When nothing happens he cautiously walks across to where the chest sits.
Before touching it he does a cursory check and finds a round area on the front with the Star of Morcyth engraved upon it. Realizing he’ll need James’ medallion as a key, he turns back to the others and hollers for him to come across.
“I think it’s okay but it looks like your medallion will be the key to open it,” he says when James joins him beside the chest. The others have followed as well and stopped several feet away.
Taking the medallion out of his shirt, he sets it into the Star on the chest and then turns it clockwise. The Star on the chest rotates a full turn and then the lid pops open slightly. Replacing the medallion back around his neck, he lifts the lid.
As the lid opens, he finds a large gem resting upon a velvet cushion. It’s comparable in size to the Fire and can only be the Star of Morcyth. He turns back to the others and says, “Miko, come here.”
As Miko begins crossing the bridge spanning the chasm, a light suddenly flashes from within the chest and James goes rigid. “Jiron!” Miko cries when he sees James start toppling backward.
Moving quickly, Jiron grabs James before he hits the ground. Lowering him the rest of the way, he looks up at the approach of the others and says, “He’s stiff.”
“Is he alive?” Dave asks.
“I’m not sure,” he replies. Placing his ear against James’ chest he can hear the slight lubdub of his heart. “His heart’s still beating,” he says in relief.
“What happened?” Jorry asks.
“I don’t know,” replies Jiron.
The city is in ruins but the citizens appear jovial. In the background he can hear a band playing a lively tune and from a side street children emerge as they play a game of tag, laughing and giggling.
As he walks down the street, he notices signs of rebuilding all over. Up ahead is a grand building which looks like it’s recently been completed. A temple.
He walks toward the structure and before he reaches the entrance, a figure emerges through the two large ornate doors. Bearing a hat and blue vest, the man looks oddly familiar.
“ Welcome,” the man says.
“ Am I late?” he asks.
“ No, you’re right on time,” the man replies as he opens the door wider to allow him to enter.
Suddenly, he’s in an octagonal shaped room with a marble pedestal standing in the center. Atop the pedestal is a small raised platform made entirely of crystal. A bright light shines from a large gem resting upon the raised platform, illuminating the room.
“ Where are we?” he asks.
“ The High Temple of Morcyth,” is the reply.
He glances to the man in the vest and asks, “Why are we here?”
“ To show you what must be done,” the man replies. “The Temple must be rebuilt.”
“ Where?” he asks.
“ Where it stood in ages past,” the man explains. “The only place it may be built.”
“ Is this why I was brought to this world?” he asks. “To build the Temple?”
“ Among other things, yes,” is the reply. “A war is going on which you humans know nothing about, one which could lead to the end of all you know.”
“ What kind of war?” he asks.
“ One between the gods,” the man says. “You’ve seen the results already, of what can happen to a world when the forces of evil prevail.”
“ That place with the shadows?” he asks.
“ Yes, that world was consumed by those who follow evil,” the man explains. “Dmon-Li is simply one of many who strive for dominance, world by world. When Morcyth’s priests were decimated and on the verge of extinction, a plan was set in motion to bring about his return. The balance must be maintained.”
“ Am I the instrument to bring about his return?” he asks.
“ It’s already begun,” the man replies. “His name is once more being spoken, that alone will not be enough however. He needs a focal point for people to direct their energy toward, in that way his priests can work to counter the evil.”
“ So the Temple must be built,” he concludes. “It will be the focal point.”
“ Yes,” the man says.
He turns to look the man in the eyes and asks, “Am I to be the High Priest?”
Shaking his head, the man says, “No, that task lies with another.”
Sudden realization strikes him, “The Temple was in the City of Light!”
“ That is correct,” the man affirms.
“ But, the Empire is in control of the City,” he says. “They won’t allow us to build it!”
“ That is true,” the man says. Turning to face him, the man adds, “As long as they control the City.”
“ But that means…”
“ You must drive them out,” concludes the man.
“ But…”
“ It’s time for you to go,” Igor tells him. “You can stay no longer.”
“ But…” begins James but then the world around him fades away.
They are all gathered around him as he lays there unmoving, worried about whether or not he’ll come around. Suddenly, his chest heaves as he takes a deep breath and his eyes open.
He at first looks around, not remembering where he is. Then his eyes settle upon Jiron and Miko standing there with the others and the memory returns.
“Man are we glad you’re back,” Jiron says.
“We were worried about you,” Miko tells him.
Sitting up, he asks, “How long was I out?”
“Not too long,” Uther says. “Ten minutes or so.”
“What happened to you?” Fifer asks.
“It’s all fuzzy,” he says. “I think it was a vision of some kind.”
“A vision?” asks Qyrll, now keenly interested. “What was it?”
James looks around at the others and that’s when he realizes Dave isn’t among them. “Where’s Dave?” he asks.
“Who cares?” Jiron replies. “Probably gone off to be by himself again.”
Getting to his feet, he looks around and he’s nowhere to be found. “Dave!” he calls but receives no answer.
“Did you guys do something to him?” he asks, his eyes finally settling on Jiron.
“Don’t look at me,” he says. “If I had done something I would’ve told you. We’ve all been here next to you ever since you collapsed.”
“Dave!” he calls again, now becoming worried.
To Miko he says, “Get the Star and put it in your pouch.”
“Me?” he asks.
“Do you think that’s wise?” Jiron asks. “Considering what happened last time that is.”
“I don’t think you have much to worry about with the Star,” he assures them. “Morcyth is a god of learning. The worst that could happen is that you would become smarter.”
