"Paradox (story 2): The Backward Journey (Chapter 4)" by Steven P. Love

Chapter 4

         Crowds of Vekolth in the streets began to scream in horror as they realized that their beloved Princess was falling from the sky.

         Obsidyanna prayed aloud as she looked up at the clear blue sky, her feathery hair flowing from the sides of her head. Thoughts of meeting her mother began to fill her mind as she closed her eyes in acceptance of her fate.

         Suddenly, Obsidyanna felt the grasp of arms beneath her back and legs. The sensation of gravity caused her to gasp with shock. She opened her eyes to see Jahnus smiling at her.

         “I’ve got you, Princess,” Jahnus told her in a reassuring voice. “Don’t be afraid.”

         Obsidyanna cried with relief and extreme gratitude as she wrapped her arms around Jahnus’s shoulders and pressed her head against his chest.

         “MY KING, LOOK,” Avra yelled while pointing frantically at the incredible sight just a short distance from the ship.

         “By the Maker,” Trekell exclaimed in disbelief as he watched Jahnus aloft with the Princess securely in his arms. Suddenly, Trekell realized a tremendous opportunity. “Doctor, are you recording this!?”

         Avra seemed to be in a trance at the sight of the miracle. Trekell reached over with one hand and shook Avra to attention. “Did you hear me, Doctor!?”

         “Yes…yes,” Avra replied as he hastily activated the sensors and other recording devices. “All sensors are locked on and recording.”

         As they slowly floated toward the city Obsidyanna stared into Jahnus’s eyes with an expression of amorous worship.

         “I truly believed I was going to die,” Obsidyanna confessed tearfully. “I was prepared to finally meet my mother.”

         “You’re safe now,” Jahnus assured her in a soothing voice.

         Obsidyanna sighed with joy while resting her head on Jahnus’s shoulder.

         “This is incredible,” Avra stated in an almost hysterical voice.

         “What is it,” Trekell asked frantically.

         “The data from the sensor scans,” Avra said wide eyed. “The readings are just…impossible.”

         “Would you please just say what you mean,” Trekell commanded.

         “The physicists will have to analyze these readings to be certain, but somehow Jahnus is folding the fabric of space around his body. He’s literally creating his own curve in space-time,” the Doctor explained, almost giddy at the data being collected by the sensors.

         “That’s not the only thing he’s doing,” Trekell noted as he motioned for the Doctor to look forward.

         “He’s carrying the Princess toward the City,” Avra realized.

         “They’re close enough for the people to see them,” Trekell noted.

         “I think that the Lizard is now out of the box, Majesty,” Avra stated metaphorically.

         “It appears that way,” Trekell concurred. “But this could also be the opportunity we’ve needed.”

         The Doctor’s eyes widened with realization at what Trekell intended.

         Suddenly, a voice sounded from the tiny speakers of the headphones still lying on the console. Trekell quickly put them back on.

         “Your majesty, we’ve got control of the shield now,” a female voice from Aviation Control stated with excitement. “There is a strange creature hovering above the city with the…..the Princess, what do we do?!”

         Trekell smiled at the opportunity presented by this event. “Lower the shield and let them through.”

         “My King, we need to get down there right away,” Avra advised. “You’ll have to address the people quickly to alleviate any confusion or fear created by this….incident.”

         “Don’t worry, Doctor,” Trekell assured Avra. “I’m a master at diffusing tense situations.”

         The shimmering energy bubble that surrounded the gleaming City suddenly flickered and then faded. Obsidyanna realized what was happening.

         “Father must have ordered the shield down,” Obsidyanna concluded happily. “They’re letting us in.”

         Jahnus smiled. “I guess I’m going to meet your people after all.”

         As they descended toward the Palace they could see hundreds of Vekolth gathering in the courtyard. The long black coat Trekell had given Jahnus flapped in the wind like a cape as he slowly approached an open area near the courtyard’s central fountain. Upon touching down Jahnus lowered the Princess’s legs so that she could stand on her own.

         Obsidyanna stood next to Jahnus as dozens of curious Vekolth began to approach them from all directions. Males, females, and children stared with gaping mouths. Jahnus noticed how many of them appeared ill. Some limped, some had visible deformities, some were in obvious pain, yet they still gathered around in awe and curiosity.

         One older male Vekolth came out from the crowd with a little girl holding his hand. Obsidyanna recognized them.

         “Prime Minister Vodan,” Obsidyanna called out. “How are you?”

         The Minister smiled. “I was about to ask you the same thing, Princess.”

         “I’m fine, now,” she replied happily. She then stooped down to greet the little girl. “And how are you, Lylithia?”

         “She’s as well as can be,” Vodan said while looking down at his granddaughter, who stared curiously at Jahnus. “Lylithia has not spoken since she lost her parents to this scourge that has plagued all Vekolth, my Princess.”

         “I’m sorry, Minister,” Obsidyanna apologized. “Perhaps she will recover soon.”

         The Minister then looked at Jahnus with intense curiosity. “Please forgive me, but are you from another world?”

         “What makes you think I’m from another world,” Jahnus asked while glancing at Obsidyanna.

         “As Prime Minister I am aware that we have sent many probes to the other worlds in our star system, but none of those worlds were found to support life such as ours,” Vodan stated. “Yet you appear out of nowhere, wearing the garments of Vekolth Royalty and you are like nothing I have seen before. Were we wrong? Did you come from one of those worlds? Were you sent here to make contact with our kind?”

         Obsidyanna interjected, “His name is….Jahnus, and he saved my life.”

         “Jahnus,” Vodan repeated with obvious recognition and reverence of the name. Vodan then looked at Obsidyanna. “The father of the Vekolth, the one prophesied to return to us in our greatest time of need?”

         All of the other Vekolth also recognized the name and repeated it over and over in a soft echo throughout the crowd.

         Suddenly, to Jahnus’s puzzlement, Vodan got down on one knee and bowed his head. Many in the crowd followed Vodan’s gesture while the rest stood and stared in stunned silence. Even Obsidyanna was astounded at the influence Jahnus’s adopted name had on the people.

         “Father was right,” Obsidyanna whispered to Jahnus. “Many of the people are superstitious.”

         Jahnus was completely flabbergasted.

         “No, no, no, I don’t need your…..worship,” Jahnus insisted as he reached over and helped the elder Vekolth minister to his feet. “I’m just a visitor. I don’t even know who I….”

         Suddenly, Trekell and the Doctor came into the courtyard.

         The other Vekolth respectfully bowed and made way for the King and his chief Scientist. Trekell and Avra quickly made their way to Jahnus and Obsidyanna.

         Doctor Avra came up beside Jahnus and whispered, “I suggest you play along. This could get very ugly if the people are not convinced of your divinity.”

         Jahnus was obviously disturbed by the notion of pretending to be a Vekolth God, but since he was a stranger in a strange land and only had the trust of Trekell, Avra and Obsidyanna he decided to keep quiet and let Trekell continue the charade.

         “Friends,” Trekell began as he walked out in front of Jahnus to address the people. “I know that many of you are frightened and confused by the sudden and unexpected appearance of this being. But his arrival is obviously fortuitous, for if he had not chosen to appear at this moment in time my only daughter would have certainly perished.” Trekell then turned and gestured toward Jahnus, who crossed his arms in reluctant acceptance or his role. “Despite his unusual appearance I believe in my heart that he is a benevolent otherworldly visitor, for who else would have had the power to intervene on my daughter’s behalf?”

         There were whisperings of conflicting opinions within the crowd.

         “I know that many of you have doubts,” Trekell acknowledged. “But rest assured that…..” Suddenly Trekell’s speech was interrupted by the screeching and whooshing wing flaps of the three Sky Raptors that had over flown the city earlier.

         As the crowds scattered in terror Trekell screamed into his communicator, “Where the shield!!”

         “The computers are locked up,” the female voice cried out through the tiny speaker. “We need time to reset them.”

         “Get out of here,” Jahnus yelled as he shoved Obsidyanna into the Doctor’s arms and motioned for them to run.

         The Princess did not want to leave but Avra practically dragged her away with the Minister and his granddaughter right behind them.

         “Get the Guards out her NOW,” Trekell screamed into his communicator.

         One of the Raptors swooped down toward several fleeing Vekolth, its talons extended and ready to seize its fleeing prey. Just as it was about to snatch a young female it pulled up screeching in anger. The fleeing Vekolth were agape to see that Jahnus had somehow gotten onto its back and had his arms wrapped fearlessly around its long muscular neck.

         It soared skyward spinning itself in an effort to throw Jahnus off. It succeeded but Jahnus did not fall. He hung motionless in mid-air as two of the three Raptors flew around him, as if studying him before their final attack. When the two Raptors were on opposite sides of him they then screeched angrily as they made their final attack swoops.

         Jahnus glared at them with steely eyes and then flung two lightning-like balls of energy simultaneously at the two Raptors. Upon impact the Raptors exploded into a shower of glowing embers. The Vekolth who witnessed the battle below were mesmerized by the sight of gray ash falling from the sky.

         One last Raptor still glided around the Palace looking for prey. The Palace Guards stormed out through the main gate and into the courtyard with weapons in hand. They positioned themselves at the foot of the Palace steps.

         Most of the Vekolth that had been in the courtyard were now out of sight in shelters or under other structures. Obsidyanna, the Doctor and the Minister had taken shelter under a walking bridge that spanned a trickling drainage ditch. The Minister, old and feeble, was taking deep breaths to calm down. He looked around and noticed that Lylithia was missing.

         “Lylithia,” Vodan called out between breaths. “Where’s my granddaughter?”

         “I thought she was here,” Obsidyanna said while looking around the shaded areas under the bridge.

         “Stay here,” Avra ordered. “I’ll look for her.”

         The Doctor cautiously went out into the open in an effort to find the missing child.

         Little Lylithia, having never experienced a Raptor attack in her young life, wandered back into the courtyard, intensely curious about the skin-winged creature gliding around the Palace. She watched it with wide eyed amazement while sitting on the short stone wall surrounding the pool of the central fountain.

         Lylithia’s attention was suddenly drawn to the Guards. They were all yelling and firing their weapons at the giant predator. One of them fired a small shoulder mounted missile at the Raptor. The missile streaked through the air leaving a smoky trail as it headed to intercept the Raptor. Upon impact it exploded spraying entrails into the air. The main body of the creature, however, was still intact. It tumbled through the air at an angle spiraling in the direction of the Fountain.

         Lylithia screamed in terror as the Raptor smashed into the side of the Fountain’s huge pedestal. A giant stone bowl toppled over and crashed down upon the helpless child.

         “LYLITHIA,” Vodan screamed as he watched the scene in horror.

         Trekell, Avra and several of the Guards sprinted over and desperately tried to lift the stone bowl off of little Lylithia’s lifeless body, but it would not budge.

         “We need a crane,” Trekell commanded into his communicator.

         Obsidyanna helped Minister Vodan to the scene.

         “It’s too late,” he cried as he got down next to the huge stone that had crushed his granddaughter. Her tiny outstretched hand was the only part of her body not buried under the massive rock. Vodan took Lylithia’s hand and wept.

         Jahnus came up to the group aghast of what had just happened. Obsidyanna turned and looked at him with sad eyes. It was as if she was silently begging for his help. He looked down at the sobbing Minister. Suddenly, Jahnus had another memory flash; this time he was standing over the same blue woman he had seen in his last vision, the one he remembered as Eckara, but she was now unconscious. Another familiar blue woman was standing opposite of him.

         “I need your help to save my granddaughter,” the other woman said.

         “But I don’t know what to do,” Jahnus replied.

         “I will guide you,” the woman assured him as she took his hands and held them over Eckara.

         The vision suddenly ended but Jahnus now knew what he had to do. He went over to the giant stone bowl and seized one end of it with both hands. With apparent little effort he lifted the massive bowl shaped rock and flipped it out of the way. There was a slight tremor when it fell to the ground. Everyone, including Vodan was startled by Jahnus’s display of superior physical strength.

         “What are you doing,” Vodan asked nervously as Jahnus knelt down next to Lylithia’s crushed body.

         Realizing what Jahnus was about to do both Obsidyanna and Trekell gently took Vodan by his arms and pulled him a few feet back.

         “But she is dead,” Vodan exclaimed sadly. “What could he want with her?”

         “It’ll be all right, old friend,” Trekell assure Vodan. “Have faith.”

         While sitting on the blood soaked pavement Jahnus gently lifted Lylithia’s body and cradled her limp form against his chest. He brushed her blood stained feathers aside and rested the palm of one hand on her forehead. Suddenly a sun-like light began to emanate from Jahnus’s hands. The light became so bright that everyone in the area had to shield their eyes to keep from being blinded.

         After the light faded everyone, especially Vodan, gasped at the sight of Lylithia taking a breath and opening her eyes.

         Vodan could not contain his joy at the sight. “My Granddaughter LIVES!”

         Avra stood in stunned silence while Obsidyanna hugged her father, shedding tears of joy at the sight of the miracle.

         Lylithia quickly stood up and ran into Vodan’s awaiting arms. He cried with joy as he lifted his granddaughter off the ground and hugged her tight. He then looked over at Jahnus who had just returned to his feet appearing a little fatigued.

         “You raised my granddaughter from the dead,” Vodan cried. “Only a Divine Being could have accomplished such a miracle. How can I thank you?”

         “Just keep her out of trouble,” Jahnus told Vodan with a modest smile.

         Vodan nodded thankfully at Jahnus and then looked happily into Lylithia’s curious eyes, which showed no signs of the previous trauma.

         “Grandfather,” Lylithia said with the young voice of a curious little girl. “I saw a light.”

         “By the Maker, you can talk again,” Vodan cried as he gently stroked the top of her coppery feathered head. He looked one last time at Jahnus with thankful eyes and then headed hurriedly away to celebrate his granddaughter’s second chance at life.

         A gathering crowd of Vekolth began chanting and cheering Jahnus’s name in praise. Jahnus appeared embarrassed and unsure of how to respond to his sudden deification in the eyes of the Vekolth.

         Obsidyanna came over in front of Jahnus and placed both of her hands affectionately on his shoulders while looking amorously into his eyes.

         “You did well today, Jahnus,” Obsidyanna told him. “You’ve proved to my people that there is still hope for us all, and for me.”