The Rise of Isaac, Books 1-3, page 78
"Will, do you wanna try first?" Isaac offered, gesturing to the tree.
William nodded keenly and moved closer to it. He ran his hand across the bark. It was smooth and cold: a stark contrast from the wafting, dry heat of their surroundings. He stood back and held his palms out, directing them at the centre of the Gateway.
He shut his eyes to concentrate. Dorian Ganderfield's notes flickered into his mind. He did exactly as they had described. Blue light left his palms and engulfed the Gateway in a hazy, shimmering cloud. He was attempting to reopen the rift, destroying the tree so they could step through without a key.
A sound like thunder ripped through the air and a vibration shot into his hand from the Gateway. Electricity coursed through William and he convulsed as he was thrown backwards and smacked into the ground.
"Argh," he groaned as he regained his feet.
Isaac laughed and patted William on the back. "Fantastic. Now you try, Eugene."
Eugene hesitantly stepped up to the platform and held out his palms. He was a second-born Lanic mage, unlike William who was a third-born Renic, so had less strength on his side.
Blue light emitted from Eugene's hands. It burned dimmer than William's had and he sent shots of electricity through it before forcing it into the Gateway. Eugene stumbled backwards but didn't get thrown, clearly countering the kickback with magic. He stood his ground and tried again. He tried twice more before he was out of breath and had to take a break.
"It's not working," Eugene gasped.
"It'll work. Will, help him," Isaac said, gesturing toward Eugene.
William walked up behind Eugene and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Ready?"
Eugene nodded. William sent all of his energy into his palm and felt it seep into Eugene's body like trickling water. The power that surged into the Gateway was immense and Isaac backed away from it, looking wary. They held out for several minutes, pummelling magic relentlessly at the Gateway, willing it to break. But it didn't.
Eugene stumbled to his knees and William's vision went blurry from exertion.
"That's enough. Take a break," Isaac said in frustration, leaning back against a half-fallen wall. He opened his pack and chucked them both an apple.
William ate it gratefully, the sweet fruit crunching between his teeth.
"We'll try again once you've rested," Isaac said and sunk to the floor, leaning his head back against the wall.
Eugene perched next to William, sitting on the steps that led up to the platform.
They tried several more times throughout the evening until William and Eugene were so exhausted that they could barely stand.
"Perhaps we've weakened it. We should get some sleep. Then try again tomorrow," Isaac said.
He had set up their beds on the ground during their last session of blasting the Gateway. William sunk gratefully into his own and Eugene and Isaac took one on either side of him. A million stars pricked the navy sky that stretched endlessly above them but William only appreciated them for a moment, falling asleep as exhaustion engulfed him.
***
Three days passed without success. They continued to attack the Gateway, rest, then try again in a relentless pattern. William was weak and their food supplies were beginning to run low.
"We can't go on much longer," Eugene said on the fourth day after a particularly waring session.
William had to agree. Eugene looked thinner every day, his eyes sunken in their sockets.
"We must. This is our only chance. What if we're close to breaking it?" Isaac said, pacing around the ruins.
"We're almost out of food, Isaac," William said softly. "We should go and stock up on supplies then we can come back."
"No. Try again," Isaac ordered.
They tried three more times that day before collapsing into their beds. William's hands ached from the constant use of magic. He flexed his fingers and rolled onto his side.
Isaac was sitting in the doorway, gazing back down at the desert valley where the sun was setting. The golden desert sand was coloured orange by the dying sunlight and the vast dunes on the horizon darkened to silhouettes.
William's eyes drifted closed and he fell asleep to the sound of his rumbling stomach.
21
The Bone of Contention
"You have so much of your mother about you," Eugene said, casting his eyes over Oliver's face as he sipped on a mug of tea.
"Most people say I look more like William," Oliver replied with a shrug.
"Yes, maybe. But your mannerisms are all hers I think," Eugene said, watching him fondly.
Oliver shifted uncomfortably and bumped elbows with May who was standing beside him.
"What was he like? My father?" Oliver asked, feeling self-conscious.
"William? Well he was ambitious of course. But generally he was a good person. He wouldn't hurt someone unless it was completely necessary."
"Like me?" May snipped.
"Yes. It made perfect sense logically for our plans. But morally? Perhaps not," Eugene said in a low voice.
"So you're defending him? William?" Oliver asked, part of him wanting to see that there was once some good in his father.
"I suppose I am in a way," Eugene said vaguely.
"Ha," Ely ejected.
Eugene turned to him with a sour look. "You wouldn't understand."
"Wouldn't I, son?" Ely's gaze turned deadly and even Oliver became anxious of the tension that was growing between them. "You see, it seems to me all too clear. Three teenagers getting carried away with themselves and not caring who they hurt along the way. William went and got Alison knocked up before she even had a chance to realise what a monster her husband was-"
"Shut up!" Eugene barked, slamming a fist down on the table. His lip quivered and curled back, baring his front teeth. "You don't know anything about it. He loved her."
Oliver stiffened, unsure whether he wanted to know more about William or not. There was a side to Eugene that unnerved him and he wasn't sure how long he wanted to be around him.
Ely shook his head. "If he loved her he would have left Rimori and stayed to look after her and Oliver."
Eugene looked as though he were fighting an internal fury that was trying to escape his body. "The Council separated them. What choice did he have?"
"He could have faced the consequences, perhaps an arrangement could have been made considering they had a child together," Ely argued.
"Ha! The Council is ruthless, you know that. The law is the law. Mages cannot legally marry a non-mage. It's forbidden."
"So is entering Vale. So is going against the Gateways yet he fights openly for these things. He is clearly willing to wage war against the system so tell me why he chose that rebellion over my daughter and grandson?" Ely snapped, clearly losing any composure he had left.
Eugene's eyes narrowed on Ely. "He had an obligation to his friends. They were as much family to him as Alison and Oliver were."
Oliver's throat constricted and he felt May shift closer to him.
"It doesn't matter. He left, that tells me all I need to know about my father," Oliver said, setting his jaw, unsure how much he really meant it.
A sad look entered Eugene's eyes. "Perhaps if you gave him the chance to explain-"
"Explain?" Ely spat. "The last time Oliver saw his father he was about to kill his sister! Why would Oliver ever give him the time of day, let alone an explanation?"
"Let the boy speak for himself," Eugene snarled.
Oliver wasn't keen on Ely speaking for him but bit his tongue, looking between the two of them anxiously. The worst thing was, part of him did want an explanation from William. He would never forgive his father, but he couldn't help but want to know the reasons behind everything he had done.
"Prison has taken a great toll on you, boy," Ely said after a stretch of silence.
Eugene sneered, his fingers turning white from gripping the mug so hard in his hand. "Perhaps if you didn't stick ideas in Oliver's head he would have gone to William and Isaac sooner."
Oliver's blood turned to ice. "I would never-"
"How dare you?" Ely cut him off, taking a step toward Eugene. "If I ever had any doubts before, I know for sure now. You're no longer a son to me. Go join your murderous friends. I want nothing more to do with you!"
Eugene glared at his father for a moment then stormed from the room, launching his mug at the wall as he left. A cascade of hot tea and china crashed to the floor.
"What's the matter with him?" May hissed. "Why's he defending them?"
"Because he hasn't changed. He's still the stubborn little teenager that ran off with William and Rimori to spite me. He still supports them, don't you see?" Ely said in anger.
"Then we can't be safe here," Oliver said, taking May's arm. "We should leave. What if he tries to hurt her?"
Ely laughed humourlessly, looking bitter. "My son is too much of a coward to do such a thing. Why do you think he's holed up here in this place worthy of Vale? He could join Rimori if he wished to but he's too spineless." Ely grimaced and slammed his empty cup down on the side. "No. Instead, he's sat here watching the world through the Flash Vision. He even saw you two in the race and never even...sent word..." he trailed off, looking confused.
"What is it?" Oliver asked, a chill creeping down his spine.
"He couldn't have seen you. They don't televise the race here in Brinatin," Ely said, looking around at them in alarm.
"Then how did he know who we were?" Oliver asked, his skin prickling all over.
A floorboard creaked outside the door and they all stiffened.
"Let's get out of here," May whispered.
22
The Obsidian Key
Ten Years Ago
"Will, get up," Isaac hissed.
William opened his eyes. It was still dark outside and the stars twinkled above him in the clear sky.
"It's not morning yet. Go back to sleep," William groaned, rolling away from him.
Isaac kicked him in the back and he woke up fully.
"Alright, alright," William said in frustration.
He got to his feet and went to wake Eugene who had taken to sleeping in the far corner, away from them.
"Don't wake him yet," Isaac said with a glint in his eye.
"Why? Are you alright?" William asked. His friend's face was pale and his eyes were red and sunken. "Tell me you've been sleeping?"
Isaac shook his head. "How can I when we're this close?"
"You have to sleep. We have all the time in the seven worlds to do this, Isaac. We'll go back to Ridd City today and get supplies then we can return in a few days when we've rested."
Isaac shook his head again, looking manic. "No, Will. We have to do this. I have to go through. Today."
"What are you talking about? There's no rush."
"Every second we waste is a second we could be continuing our plans. We could be breaking the seven Gateways down by this time tomorrow. Think about it Will." His eyes blazed with excitement.
"But we're not making any progress. The magic's not working. Maybe we missed something in Ganderfield's work. Maybe he used some other spells to break through into Vale the first time."
"No, Will. We're doing it right but it won't work. Ganderfield has protected this Gateway. We can't go through to Vale the way he did."
"Well, how else?" William frowned as he eyed Isaac warily.
Isaac's eyes flickered to the sleeping figure of Eugene in the corner.
"I'd make it quick. You know I would," Isaac hissed, his eyes darting back to meet his.
A cold feeling washed over William. "Isaac, listen to what you're saying! That's Eugene you're talking about. We're going back to Ridd City," he insisted in a hurried, low voice.
He moved to gather his things from the floor and Isaac darted around him. William sprang after him and stepped in between him and Eugene who was stirring from sleep. Panic swept through him.
"Isaac, stop," William hissed, a blade flashing in Isaac's hand. His heart rate increased as he placed a hand on Isaac's shoulder.
"Move, Will. I won't ask again."
William held his gaze a moment and realised he was shaking.
"We have to do this, Will. It's the only way. It's always been you and I from the start. This was our plan. Eugene would have left long ago if we hadn't encouraged him. You know that's true."
"That doesn't make it okay for us to murder him for Vale's sake. He's our friend."
"Precisely. He's exactly what we need." Isaac gripped William's arm and stared intently into his eyes. "It's a necessary sacrifice. Like the little girl."
William gritted his teeth. "He's our friend," he repeated in a hushed whisper.
He gazed into Isaac's blazing grey eyes and felt something change inside of him. He wanted to bring down the Gateways. He would never see his family again if he didn't. Alison and his newborn child had been taken away from him and for six years he had lived on the run.
His resolve began to melt. With a heavy breath, he stepped aside and instantly hated himself for it. Isaac patted his arm and stalked past him towards Eugene.
Eugene stirred, blinking sleepily as he looked up at Isaac.
He spotted the knife and jumped to his feet, backing away. Despite Eugene's magic, William was too fast and too strong for him. A flood of light hit him in the chest, pinning him back against the wall. William immobilised Eugene with all the power he could muster, keeping his hands outstretched to bind his arms and legs so they couldn't move.
"Wh-what are you doing?" Eugene asked in a strained voice. "Please," he begged.
"I'm sorry Eugene. I think, deep down perhaps, you knew it would come to this," Isaac said, shaking his head sadly.
"No!" Eugene cried as Isaac struck with the knife. A keen excitement flared in Isaac's eyes as he stabbed Eugene again and again. Blood bubbled from his mouth and the life left his eyes after the third strike.
William almost dropped his palms in shock, his heart thundering like beating hooves in his ears. Isaac kept stabbing and stabbing until William was the only thing holding Eugene up. William dropped his hands, clutching them to his chest in shaking fists.
Eugene crumpled to the floor, a look of horror still expressed in his features. William reeled over and retched.
Isaac was covered in blood. He bent down and placed a kiss to Eugene's forehead. "Your sacrifice won't be forgotten. You will have a place in history, my friend."
Isaac stood and moved to William's side, rubbing his back as he heaved. William panted then turned away from Isaac and wept, his entire body quaking with emotion.
"What have we done?" William breathed, shaking his head. He couldn't believe he had done it. His throat burned from the bile that had risen there.
William huddled against a wall, not wanting to face Isaac. An arm slithered around his shoulders and he resented the touch.
"That's enough, now. Come on, Will. You must have known it would come to this?"
"He was frightened of you. He knew," William revealed, rubbing his face to regain his composure. He was as bad as Isaac, he had held Eugene in place.
"We were still friends," Isaac said, staring back at the bloody, broken body.
William couldn't bear to look. "Are you sure? It has to have been worth it. If you were truly friends it will have worked."
"Let's find out." A grin spread across Isaac's face.
William shakily followed him towards the Gateway, avoiding looking towards Eugene's lifeless form. Isaac plucked a key from the bark and held it out to him. William took it and Isaac offered him the knife. William pricked Isaac's outstretched finger so blood flowed onto the already bloodied blade.
Isaac moved his finger and placed it onto the key. William held his hand over it, letting his magic bind the key to his friend. He watched as the small gem absorbed the blood, swirling inside it then turning black as death.
Isaac triumphantly took the key from him. "It worked. It actually worked," he whispered.
William was in shock. He watched as if from afar as Isaac placed the key inside his Lock into the slot marked Vale. Isaac grinned with satisfaction at the Lock which held the keys to all seven worlds.
"What do I do now?" William asked, panicked.
"Don't worry. I planned for this," Isaac said, not making eye contact with him.
William wondered if, somewhere inside him, he had known it would come to this.
"You'll return to Ridd City and go to the Council of Heptus. Confess to them what I have done and tell them that you knew nothing about the murder until you woke up this morning. You found Eugene dead, and me gone."
"That won't work. How could you kill a mage on your own? They'll know I helped you. I'll be arrested and my family will be persecuted. No, Isaac. There must be another way."
Isaac stared thoughtfully at him for a moment then a slow smile spread across his face. "So tell them I killed you."
"What?" William almost backed away from Isaac as if he might attack him.
"I'm not actually going to kill you, Will." He laughed the light chuckle William knew so well. "Change yourself to look like Eugene and disguise his body as yours. You got the hang of transforming yourself to look like other people months ago. The magic is unheard of so why would anyone check?"
William thought about it for a moment. "That's illegal," he said dumbly.
Isaac threw his head back and laughed heartily. "Yes it is. And so is everything else we've done lately."
William half smiled at him. "But I've never changed my form for more than a day at a time, what if I'm unable to remain that way?"
"It will be a challenge. But if you can, Eugene will take the blame and not you. Alison will be left alone. You will be arrested regardless but not as William Knight," Isaac said in a matter of fact tone.
William nodded in a daze, slowly bringing his mind around to the idea. "But you'll come for me when you return?"
Isaac gripped his arm firmly. "Of course."
William knew he meant it. They were in this together now and there was no going back.
"Then you should go now. You better hope there's some food on the other side of that Gateway." He passed the knife back to Isaac.
