The Guardian of Threshold (28 page)

“You know, he’ll be fine on his own,” Dr. Rainer said as he gathered his books and scrolls.

“You want me to leave him here?” I asked.

“No, I simply mean you don’t have to carry him from place to place. Wherever you go, Spark will follow. You now share a bond that not even death can break,” the good doctor explained.

“Give it a try. If he runs, we can chase him,” said Carla as she got up to leave the aerobus.

“I wouldn’t worry about it. I’m pretty sure he won’t,” said Dr. Rainer.

“This place is awesome,” said Jonas.

“Extraordinary, isn’t it?” asked Dr. Rainer.

“Who are we here to see?” asked Nyx, looking concerned.

I saw that Nyx still didn’t completely trust Dr. Rainer. She seemed cautious, which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing considering that we had just barely escaped from a trap.

“We’re here to see someone who can help us plan the next steps,” answered Dr. Rainer.

I placed Spark on the ground, and he followed me through the crowd. At first I kept looking down at him to make sure he was following me, but after a few minutes I was convinced he would follow me wherever I went, so I stopped worrying.

***

“Welcome back, Dr. Rainer,” said a familiar voice from behind us.

“I have brought visitors,” replied the doctor as I turned to see Mrs. Barnes standing behind me with her benevolent smile.

“Nice to see you again,” I said, surprised and yet relieved to see a familiar face.

“The pleasure is all mine,” Mrs. Barnes replied. “Please follow me. We have much to discuss.”

We followed Mrs. Barnes as she made her way through the crowd. All the while, I couldn’t decide which way to look because there were new things to be seen in every direction.

“What exactly is this place?” Carla asked as she caught up with Mrs. Barnes.

“This is where every soul should come, once they finish their time in the physical realm, but that’s not always the case,” said Mrs. Barnes.

“Do you mean to say this is heaven?” asked Jonas.

“No, dear, I didn’t mean to imply that. This is simply another stop in the eternal journey of evolution,” said Mrs. Barnes.

“Can you guys help me?” asked Nyx anxiously.

“I believe we can, my dear,” Mrs. Barnes replied.

“Here we are,” the sweet old lady said as we came to a stop in front of another tall spiral tower.

I looked around, but I didn’t see Spark. I was about to say something when he came running toward me and sat by my feet.

“I know that you have many questions and I promise that they’ll be answered shortly. Please come in, don’t be shy now,” Mrs. Barnes said as she pulled out a mysterious glass key from one of her robe pockets and waved the big sapphire-blue crystal in front of the door, which immediately vanished.

“What is this place?” I asked, unable to contain a subtle hint of suspicion in my voice.

“This is the Hall of the Records and Knowledge, also known on Earth as the Akashic records. These walls hold all the answers that humanity desperately seeks in the fields of science, theology, psychology, medicine, and technology. These walls house every knowledge and event that has ever happened, and those that have yet to come,” Mrs. Barnes replied.

“Technology? There’s technology in astral realms?” I asked.

“Of course, dear. Everything, and I mean everything, had to exist in the astral realm before it could make its way into the physical realm and Earth. For example, all of Mozart’s symphonies were composed here in the Astral by himself while he slept. After perfecting them here, he tried to replicate them back on Earth. Believe it or not, they are much more beautiful here,” explained Mrs. Barnes.

“So what is going on? Why exactly are we here?” I asked.

“Mark, I know you had a very hard childhood. You grew up to be a fine young man, but you’re not without your own faults and fair share of trouble. It wasn’t by chance that your quest to find your mother has led you to Threshold. There’s something you must do,” said Mrs. Barnes as she led the way through the various hallways, which were embellished with works of art I had never seen before… at least until we reached the end of the hallway. On the wall right in front of us was the 1506 painting of “Saint George and the Dragon” by Raphael. Although the “original” painting on Earth was fairly small, this one filled the whole wall. The “original” on Earth paled in comparison.

“Until you accomplish the task you have set out to do, you won’t be able to return to Earth. In fact, none of you can. You all share the same faith—”

“What you mean, we can’t return?” asked Jonas.

“I’m sorry, but there isn’t much I can do. Phasma has gained too much strength, and until the link between you two is broken, you’re stuck here,” Mrs. Barnes said as we continued walking.

***

In the distance, something caught my attention. A glowing set of eyes seemed to be staring directly at us. The bright blue glow startled me. I’d never seen eyes quite that bright before. I wanted to turn around and run, but Mrs. Barnes reassured us with her soothing voice.

“Don’t worry, my dears, that’s Eva Mayflower. She’s our record keeper, much like Mrs. Jane Olstein is your librarian back on Earth,” Mrs. Barnes said as she waved her keys once again at another closed door.

“What happens if morning comes on Earth, and we’re still here?” Carla asked, looking rather worried.

“Time is a tricky thing in Threshold. Let’s just say that until the bond is broken, morning will never come for you,” Mrs. Barnes said as the door vanished. “Come on in. There’s someone I want you to meet.”

We followed Mrs. Barnes into the room. All the while, the record keeper kept heading our way.

“Welcome, dear friends, nice to see you again,” Eva said as she entered the room, which resembled our libraries on Earth. They would be almost identical if it wasn’t for the fact that this library seemed to be more technologically advanced, especially judging from the transparent computer-like screens that had been carefully placed on top of each desk.

I was startled when Spark jumped on my shoulder without any warning. I still wasn’t used to his claws, not to mention the fact that he seemed to be gaining weight and strength.

“Excuse me, but did you say nice to see you again? I have never seen you before,” Jonas said.

“But you have, it’s just that you don’t remember. As a matter of fact, we sat at that desk over there last time, and you adamantly insisted that you wouldn’t forget our conversation,” explained Eva.

Eva’s eyes glowed a soft blue, and she had a small frame and chestnut color hair, not what you would expect a librarian to look like. She didn’t seem to be a day over thirty years old.

“You do seem familiar,” said Carla, looking at Eva closely.

“You see, someone remembers me,” Eva said jokingly as she approached another desk and picked up a transparent tablet.

“Phasma’s power seems to be increasing as more and more people transition from their physical bodies into Nightside. The world is so full of anger and hatred that very few people are able to overcome such overwhelming feelings,” said Eva while Mrs. Barnes went to one of the bookshelves and started to look for a particular volume.

“What’s my role in all of this?” Nyx asked.

“Nyx, you’re one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. You alone hold the power to defeat Phasma and rid Threshold of his tyranny. However, for it to happen, you must want it and you can’t do it alone. You’ll need help from your new friends,” Eva said. She activated the tablet and a three-dimensional map filled the room. It appeared to be a map of Threshold.

I could clearly see the Night Peaks where we first arrived and the entrance to the Cave of Sorrows, as well as the river where we made our escape. I saw the swamp-infested highlands and Watertown, complete with its stores and nearby dam. Every step we had taken in Threshold was highlighted, as if Eva had been closely monitoring our progress ever since our arrival.

“We are here,” Eva said, pointing toward a brightly lit city almost in the middle of the southern continent, which was called Downside.

I saw a dotted red line heading north.

“Is this where we need to go?” I asked, pointing toward a small island in the middle of the map.

“No, that was the original plan, but Phasma is getting too close. We feel that it’s best if you take the underground aerobus. Since it’s the longer route, we don’t think Phasma expects you to do that,” Eva said. She looked at Mrs. Barnes as if she sought her support or confirmation. Mrs. Barnes simply nodded and continued to read.

“Do you mean to say that you can’t protect us from that thing?” Jonas asked. I had to hand it to him; he had the guts to ask the hardest questions.

“No, but we can help,” Eva replied as she touched the three-dimensional map and moved the red dotted line to show us the route we needed to take.

“Nyx, this is Living Forest, your true home. Phasma kidnapped you from here when you were much younger. He knew you were different from the others and that one day you would seek to put a stop to his reign of fear. He tried several times to teach you his cruel ways and failed. You held strong to your beliefs, and we need you to be even stronger now, for the moment of the truth draws near,” Mrs. Barnes said, putting her book down.

We were supposed to take the aerobus from the City of Lights and cross half a world’s worth of ocean to arrive in the northern continent where the Living Forest was.

“From here on, you’ll have to follow your instincts,” Eva said as she touched the tablet device and the map disappeared.

“Why don’t you deal with Phasma?” Carla asked. It was a good question; I had been wondering the same thing, but I didn’t have the courage to ask.

“Phasma is not from this world, so unfortunately there isn’t much we can do,” Mrs. Barnes explained.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Mark, Phasma is only the Guardian of Threshold, but he’s not from Threshold. His powers were always very limited in the past, however he’s been getting stronger… I’m afraid you have been making him stronger, Mark. You see, your rage fuels his rage,” Mrs. Barnes said.

“I have done no such thing! You’re wrong!” I accused her, scaring Spark as I abruptly stood up.

“Calm down, my friend,” Dr. Rainer said as he placed his book on the nearby counter.

“Dear Mark, I’m sorry to bring you this news, but it’s true. Look, even Spark feels your rage, and it’s not all your fault. All the rage in the world quenches his thirst and makes him stronger,” Eva said as she approached Spark. He resisted with a mad hissing sound.

“It’s okay, Spark, come,” Eva insisted, and Spark immediately seemed to calm down. Eva grabbed him and started to pet him gently, soothing his fit of rage.

“I’m…,” I started, but guilt overtook me.

“It’s okay, we know,” Mrs. Barnes said as she took my hand and sat me down at the closest desk. Her gentle touch soothed my heart and calmed my nerves.

“Mark, as long as you follow your heart, everything will work out just fine. You can’t let Phasma control you. You’re a good person, and you need to believe that. Your mother is very proud,” said Mrs. Barnes gently.

“My mom… is she here?” I asked as my eyes filled with tears.

“Oh, my dear, she’s in the astral realm. From time to time, when the need arises she comes to Threshold. So believe me when I tell you that I know she’s very proud of you,” Eva said as she handed me a fancy handkerchief.

“Can I see her?” I asked, completely overwhelmed by the thought of seeing her again.

“All in due time, my dear friend,” Eva said, patting me on the back.

Although I felt very happy with the prospect of seeing my mother again, not even that prevented the sudden dread that possessed me.

“Oh no, he’s close,” I said urgently. “I can feel him.”

“Unfortunately, we must hurry,” said Mrs. Barnes.

“Dr. Rainer, since you know what needs to done, can you help them?” Mrs. Barnes asked as she handed him a scroll, which I presumed contained the map of where we needed to go.

“Sure, it’ll be my pleasure,” replied Dr. Rainer, taking the scroll and folding it quickly but carefully and placing it in one of his pockets.

“It was nice seeing all of you again,” Eva said as she shook our hands.

As we started to leave the room, I made sure Spark was following us.

“I don’t know why, but Spark keeps running in front of me,” I said in hopes that someone would know what he wanted.

“Maybe he’s hungry,” suggested Carla as we made our way back through the building.

“I don’t even know what kind of food he eats,” I replied, realizing that he hadn’t had anything to drink or eat. Just thinking about it made my stomach grumble.

“Great, now I’m hungry, if that’s even possible,” I said, smiling.

Mrs. Barnes followed us out. After several minutes of walking and several sharp turns, we finally arrived outside.

“Don’t forget your roots,” Mrs. Barnes said as she gently guided us back onto the street. “It was nice seeing you guys again, I’ll contact you again once you reach your destination. Good luck.”

I could tell she wished she could come with us.

I got the sense Mrs. Barnes had to do something very important before we could leave Threshold. There was something familiar about the way she spoke, but I dismissed it, thinking I must have retained some recollection of my previous visit to Threshold.

Everyone seemed to be worried because we weren’t talking very much and Jonas had stopped joking.

“Guys, we’ll be fine,” I said in an attempt to put my friends at ease.

“I know,” Nyx said.

“I’m just hungry,” said Jonas, obviously lying.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

THE DAWN OF FEAR

I
couldn’t blame Jonas. It was very strange and surreal to have your whole belief system turned upside down in a matter of days.

“There’s a place just around the corner where we can get something to eat,” Dr. Rainer said, pointing straight ahead.

“We can eat in the astral realm?” Jonas asked, looking happier.

“Sure, we still have a body in the astral realm, granted a more rarefied and subtle body, but it’s a body that needs vitamins and nutrients in order to function properly,” explained Dr. Rainer.