The Four Kings (36 page)

Justica nodded, then with a swoosh of her hands, shut off all the huge omnipresent screens.

Both female wizards ensured that each zapped away her own crown before taking the next decisive step.

“To Emerana,” Indie chanted, her eyes closed.

Chapter Fifty-One

All four wizards – plus Amanda – materialized in a small, dark room. Amanda glanced around, apprehensive. They weren’t on the main floor of Emerana, with its colossal space and marble floor, crystal walls, and rain forest canopy roof. No – they must be in one of its rooms.
Perhaps the rooms were only visible once you appeared into it
, Amanda thought.

Her eyes were attracted to a pulsing glow from one direction. Peering ahead, she saw a wire mesh bin of dozens of glowing, lantern-like glass balls, all stacked up. They appeared to be like the mythical crystal balls lovingly doted upon by fortune tellers.

Indie reached into the bin and took out a crystal ball, careful not to drop it. The luminescence of the crystal ball illuminated the palm of Indie’s hand, plus her face. “This is it,” she whispered in hushed tones, “a very rare occasion to see how it really works.”

She nodded her head at the other wizards. As if on cue, they all reappeared – along with Amanda – into the main forum of the fortress. Amanda’s eyes adjusted to the brightness. Despite the pervasion of light everywhere, Amanda could still see the crystal ball glow.

“State the parameters,” Indie commanded. “Ask and you shall receive.”

“All right,” said Demus, much more calm now. “I state that I wish to know how Amanda Fullerton found out my Mortal name, how she suspected my age, how she knew my age was tied in to the terms of reference of the wizards’ council, and finally,
why
she did it.” He placed a lot of angry emphasis on the word
why
, his eyes blazing.

“Crystal truth,” Indie chanted, “Give us words that soothe.” She tossed the ball up into the air. The crystal ball exploded into the air.

Instantly, a holographic projection of Amanda and Demus appeared in front of the five spectators. The image of Demus was wearing a brown leather jacket, looking sullen. The real Amanda instantly recognized the scene, but stayed silent. The scene before them all was that of the slum area, where Demus grew up. The holographic alleyway lay ahead.

“This is Detroit, Michigan,” said the holographic Demus to the holographic Amanda.

“Oh.”

“Where I grew up.”

That scene faded, and it was apparent that the same holographic presentation of Demus’ past had sped up ahead. Now, two young male teenagers were added to the scene; one of whom was obviously a much younger Demus. Thus, there were now three Demuses in the fortress, the present-day Demus, and the two holographic images – one of him showing Amanda his past a year ago, and the one of him as a teenager. Amanda blinked.

“I just turned seventeen last night,” came the voice from the holographic Demus, as the sullen wizard showing Amanda a glimpse of his soul.

“Oh
man
,” moaned the real Demus, shaking his head as to his stupidity.

The scene again vanished and was replaced with one that was obviously another fast-forward of the same setting. This time, the teenager Demus was crying and hunched over the body of his now-dead brother, while the holographic Amanda and Demus watched on, with that Amanda expressing horror. The real Amanda shuddered at the replay of the chilling scene.

Demus’ voice arose once more from his illusory counterpart: “My brother Noah. He was eighteen and a half when he died. Ten years ago today.”

The four wizards standing before the rendition could only gape and remain transfixed.

Suddenly, the scene changed dramatically. Instead of the gloomy setting of the Detroit slum, there was a display now of Amanda and Regi up in the clouds, enjoying the game of 3-D Tetris. One four-block “I” shape remained in the sky, patiently awaiting the attention of the two. It was obvious that the holographic Amanda and Regi were too busy chatting to pay much attention to the game. Clips of their conversations rang out.

Amanda’s voice: “What about Demus?”

Regi: “Demus?”

“What’s his real name?”

“You promise not to tell anyone?”

“Promise.”

“Angus Tucker.”

“Well, well,” the present-day Demus growled at Regi, “You’re the backstabber.” He shot a dirty look at Amanda. “She’s betrayed you, too.”

The scene before all four wizards and the Supreme Liaison reverted to that of Amanda, clad in a full-length bathing suit, massaging Regi on his shoulders as he lay, eyes closed dreamily, in a hammock, both of them on a desert island.

The holographic Regi, clad in boxer shorts, was speaking as if he had not a care in the world. “As you know, each of the five continents has a wizards’ council. They all run for three years each.”

Suddenly, the holographic images sped up, showing only clips of Regi speaking by himself, as if intently focusing on him and singling him out. The images were jarring as it was obvious Regi had changed position slightly each time a new quote was attributed to him.

“Yes. They all run at the same time.”

Now Regi strolling with Amanda in the forest. “No, you see, all wizards die at the age of thirty.”

Indie spat vehemently at Regi, “You – a betrayer of our darkest secrets!” She then turned back to the scene, horrified.

The damning images of Regi piled on, one after the other. It was merciless.

“I think it’s best if I explain our governance structure. Do you know how the wizards are chosen for the council, Amanda?” a pleasantly happy holographic Regi blabbed, holding the holographic Amanda’s arm amongst the forest.

“She can’t know!” Justica screamed at the conversation.

The present-day Regi physically shrank, with knots in his stomach. The damning evidence kept piling on and on, rendering him invisible blows.

His holographic counterpart cheerfully prattled on, oblivious to its unwitting exposure several weeks later. The crystal clear, but obviously fake image bantered on, “Now – this is where it gets most interesting. They pick the wizards – two males and two females – who are
most
close in age to thirty the last day of council.”

Then it was the present-day Amanda’s turn to gasp. Her image was heard scheming out loud next to Regi, “And that must mean all the four wizards chosen are those who turn twenty-seven on April thirtieth the day that the new term starts.”

The three wizards next to Regi hissed and clenched their teeth when they heard the holographic Regi respond as follows, smiling as if he were a conspirator. “You’ve always been brilliant, Amanda.”

Now, the scene shifted to Amanda speaking to Marcus Gelby, the computer programmer, in her spacious office. The real Amanda groaned; she knew the worst was to come.

With a stern expression, the holographic Amanda snarled at the holographic Marcus: “What you must do for me is find out the birth records of an Angus Tucker, of Detroit, Michigan, whom I suspect was born on April thirtieth about twenty-seven years ago.”

“Bitch! Bitch!” Demus shouted out, at full throttle.

The holographic Amanda continued her nasty streak while speaking to Marcus: “Then you’re to bribe hospital office staff to give you the records. I have resources. Anything. Just don’t get caught.”

“Amanda?” Justica gazed at her, her eyes wide open in shock.

Demus was starting to emit flames all around his body. Amanda shirked away; she was very afraid. Something was going to happen. The other wizards stepped back from Demus, and started eyeing each other warily. Indie and Justica were steaming, and Regi was looking for an exit. But all the wizards divided the other half of their attention to the mind-searing images of the Crystal Truth.

Amanda shuddered at the next likeness.

There was the image of Regi again, holding hands with Amanda in the forest. His voice as soft and syrupy as molasses, he was heard saying as he looked into his holographic lover’s eyes, “Then you have a right to know how I feel about you. I love you, Amanda.”

The final image was that of Amanda and Regi, kissing passionately. Then the Crystal Truth dissipated and all was eerily calm.

Regi vanished, and then reappeared a safe distance away. Amanda, terrified, started sprinting as far away as she could. Her life was in danger. Demus glowed with orange, red, and yellow flames; this time, the flames shot out about five feet away from his body. Indie and Justica, fully trained in combat strategy, also vanished and re-materialized diagonal to everyone else.

Amanda ran for her life, desperate to get away… anywhere. She could barely breathe in enough oxygen to fuel her panic. Suddenly, a blow struck her head. She ran into a glass wall! Dizzy, confused, and traumatized, she slumped onto the warm floor. Her adrenalin wouldn’t let her catch her breath. Kneeling, she peered out.

She was inside a hollow glass cube. It was about ten feet high, ten feet wide, and ten feet deep. She ran up to the wall closest to the wizards, and holding her face against the surface, saw the ongoing action.

“Stay put, Amanda!” Regi cried out to her. “I’m going to protect you!”

A twisted look of evil took over Demus’ face. The fire had raged out as he asserted control over his impulses. “You stole Amanda!” he screeched to Regi. Throwing his arms out furiously, he lobbed giant blobs of fire against Amanda’s shelter. One by one, the fireballs blasted the cube and surrounded it with fire, but these quickly flamed out. Terrified, Amanda watched as the inferno engulfed the cube, again and again.

His face now resolute, Demus commanded, “Show me your key.”

No! Demus! No!
Amanda wanted to cry out.

Indie shot spells at Regi, as he scrambled to get out of the way, yet still protect Amanda. The two colleagues were now waging war against each other. Justica held her ground, horrified at the prospect of infighting that threatened the future of wizard-dom.

In response to Demus’ command, the cube began to change color. One by one, giant squares of blue, orange, green, white, red, and yellow appeared on all six sides of the cube. Amanda could still see through the various hues, to where the battle lay. She panicked as the colored squared dotted the cubes, making her feel even more trapped. As the patterns assembled magically, Amanda understood.

It was a Rubik’s Cube!

“Aha,” Demus growled with satisfaction. He knew he had to solve the puzzle to make the cube vanish. He started waving his arms, using his brain power to unlock the secrets of the cube. Inside, Amanda felt hysterical from within as the squares started revolving around the cube. A blurry of red, blue and white. Then sideways, a blurry of orange, white, and green. Demus was attempting to solve the cube.

“Twenty-three point five percent complete,” the cube announced robotically.

“No!” Amanda screamed out.

Regi materialized right next to Demus, and punched him on his right temple, sending Demus sprawling on the ground. The two engaged into an intensely personal wrestling match, grunting and brawling.

Indie yelled out, “I’ll do it, Demus!” She materialized close by the cube, and started extending her arms toward the cube, then twirling around, her face always focused on the rapidly rotating patterns. Amanda’s meager hopes plummeted as more complete patterns assembled around her; now there was one complete red wall, and one complete white wall.

“Forty-two point seven percent complete,” rang out the metallic voice.

Cheating his way out of the wrestling match, Demus vanished and reappeared ten yards away from Regi, who was now in the awkward position of applying a headlock to thin air. Demus entered a spell on Regi, who suddenly found himself entangled into two sets of knots made of glowing gold rope. One golden rope tied his left foot to his left hand, and the other bound his right foot to his right hand. Exerting and struggling like a Mortal bound to a set of train tracks, Regi fought to free himself of the trap. Not only did the magic ropes render his mystic powers much weaker, but they also sapped his strength.

“Good job, Demus!” Indie shouted out in support.

Amanda’s heart beat rapidly as she awaited the updates on the Rubik’s Cube solution. From seeing the colors solidify and amalgamate, Amanda knew that the end was near.

“Eighty-seven point two percent complete,” boomed the cube.

“Come on, Amanda,” Indie said gleefully, “come out of here. You’re mine.” Suddenly, Indie found handcuffs on her wrists. She shrieked. She rapidly turned to see Demus gone. In his place was a giant puzzle box of interlocking pieces, solved only by complex manipulations of the parts within. Demus was trapped inside.

Staring ahead at Indie, defiant, was Justica, assuming a combat pose.

“Justica,” gasped Indie. Regaining her resentment, she easily broke apart the chain that linked her handcuffs. Advancing menacingly toward Justica, Indie snarled, “So the boys are all tied up. It’s just you and me, sister.”

Justica said nothing, but retained her cool. She remained poised, ready to strike into action.

“Why, Justica?” Indie asked, exasperated. “Why are you supporting traitors to our cause?”

Giving up on freeing himself, Regi blurted out, “Show me your key.” Instantly, the ropes elongated themselves, yet intertwined, so Regi was still unable to slip loose. He understood the pattern instinctively. It was a rope puzzle. If he could slip the loops here and there, all the ropes would come undone. He would then be free. His mind furiously attempted to work through the logic of disentangling the loops that blocked his freedom.

Demus, trapped in the puzzle box conjured by Justica, also yelled out, “Show me your key.” Parts started sliding in and out, indicating to Demus that he had to slide the correct sequence of interlocking pieces in order to find a path out. He started feverishly using his magic to thrust one complex piece out at a time.

Both female wizards glanced at the three puzzles that remained unsolved. Both sensed an impasse; it was a frustrating moment in the battle.

“Elsedor would not have wanted it this way,” asserted Justica.