The Other Side of Beyond, page 13
part #2 of Mitch Mythic Series
The buzzing chant and the pounding staffs reached a crescendo and then stopped suddenly. The echo reverberated around the chamber for some time. As the sound receded a heavy silence crept in. None of the bug eyed people moved and Mitch became aware of a slight breeze passing over him. His heart pounded in his chest and panic set in. He struggled to find a way to move, but his brain and his body were incapable of communicating. The blade apparatus folded itself up and disappeared into the opening and slowly two tentacles with pincer like claws descended. The spider legs shuffled over to the torso of one of the beasts and it was hoisted up by the claws. Metallic jaws shot out of the opening and they began to tear at the flesh. The buzzing chant began again and Mitch noticed that the tune had changed slightly, dinner music for a massive killing machine. The jaws made quick work of the huge torso and after a few moments all that was left was a peculiar looking skeleton. The jaws retracted along with the claws and the opening closed rapidly. The damaged leg retracted as well and a new one appeared in its place. Mitch heard a series of mechanisms locking and unlocking. He watched in astonishment as the central hub of the chamber detached itself from the series of plates that formed the outer wall and lowered itself to the ground. Mitch wasn’t sure if he was more confused or terrified, but all he could do was watch as the strange mechanism approached he and Drak. It seemed to be powered by the same force that powered the other hovering craft. It was disc shaped and a series of translucent wires were interwoven around the edge forming a colorful pattern of light. The buzzing chant began again. The rhythm was slower, but more staccato and the bug eyed people tapped their staffs lightly on the deck. The disc spun as it approached them and Mitch could see a small black opening on the edge. The network of wires all seemed to converge around the opening creating a colorful ring around a deep blackness. The disc stopped a few feet in front of he and Drak. Mitch could see the color of the wires shifting rhythmically with the chanting and then the music suddenly stopped. The disc hovered closer to them and Mitch thought his heart was going to burst. He shut his eyes and prayed that something would come and save them, but there was no escape. A soft whirring sound caught his attention and he slowly opened his eyes, certain that the metallic jaws had come to tear his face off. No jaws appeared, instead a small head similar to that of the bug eyed people emerged it was followed by a long metallic neck that flexed and moved snake like as it extended out towards Mitch and Drak. Mitch wanted to scream in horror as the face approached them, but he was still unable to move. The head came within inches of his face and it stared directly into Mitch’s eyes, dark pits probing his soul. Mitch saw wrinkles around the eyes and its mouth seemed to sag like a grandmother. There was something worn and venerable about the face. It scanned him up and down and then the face moved to Drak and looked him over for a long time. The head pulled back and sat silently for a moment, pondering.
“An Earthling and a Chalthantarian here in Jarkadu. What is the universe coming to? So strange, so strange” The head said in a crackling and buzzing voice. Mitch felt his mind explode in his skull. “Felt something yes, felt something from out there. First time in a long time, long time. Now you two are here, here now. Changing, Changing, things are changing now. They are angry with you, angry now. Big trouble, Big trouble, you’ve caused big trouble. Bad things coming, bad things. We see it, see it. Feel it too, feel it. What to do, what to do?”
The head stopped buzzing. Mitch was having trouble comprehending what he had just witnessed. Did it actually speak and he understood it or he was hallucinating.
“Felt you come here too, felt it, felt it. Feel everything, everything,” The head said and the network of wires that ran along the edge of its chamber lit up. “See all and know all, know all. Connected. Find you there, out there. Can’t have you running around, running around. Great dangers lurking, lurking in dark places. You know, you know. My children bring you to me, bring you here, bring you here. What to do with you now? Many outcomes, many possibilities.”
The head looked away from Mitch and Drak and buzzed at the bug eyed people behind Mitch. Two of the people stepped forward and mounted the craft they used to move the crates. They levitated quickly and moved towards the last container sitting on the deck.
“Should we save you or let you die, let you die? We shall see if you are worthy, if you are strong, strong enough to survive,” the head said. The two bug eyed people approached the container on their hovering craft. Mitch felt the platform begin to sink and he realized they were being lowered into a pit. The head and its chamber reconnected with the outer shell and raised itself up as Mitch and Drak dropped down into the pit. Mitch looked up and saw the bug eyed people all move over to the edge. Their black eyes looked down upon them, unblinking. The spider like machine stood directly over the pit and Mitch could see the head staring at him intently.
“It is time for judgement, for judgement. Survive this and you are worthy of aid, worthy of help,” The head said.
Mitch looked to the right and saw the container had been brought to the edge of the pit by the two people using their hovering craft. The people began to chant again and pound their staffs onto the ground. Mitch heard a couple of metallic clicks behind him and he fell to the ground. He had regained his mobility and he looked over and saw Drak getting back to his feet. Mitch hopped to his feet as well. His heart was pounding in his chest.
“What the hell is going on here, Drak?” Mitch asked.
“Don’t know, but I think it test of some kind,” Drak said. “Don’t panic. We not dead yet.”
One of the bug eyed people on the hovering craft pressed a button and the container opened. The chanting seemed to intensified and Mitch heard a terrifying scream come from within the container. He and Drak backed up to the wall of the pit and they both stared hard at the black opening of the container.
“Look there, grab the staffs,” Drak said. The two staffs which held them captive a moment ago stood erect in the receptacles in the center of the pit. Mitch scrambled forward and yanked at the staff. It was stuck in the hole somehow and Mitch couldn’t get it out.
“It’s stuck,” Mitch shouted. Above him he heard a piercing scream emit from the container followed by a strangely familiar scraping sound. Drak twisted his staff and it popped out of the hole. He flipped it over in his hands and green glow came over the staff. Mitch saw a grin spread across his face. Mitch twisted the staff as he had seen Drak do and it jumped out of the hole. The staff felt light and agile in his hands and he clutched it tight. The green glow lit up his face as he turned his attention to the container.
Another scream echoed out of over the black entrance and then an enormous figure lunged out of the opening and landed at before them at the bottom of the pit. Mitch gasped in horror. The same creature they had encountered in the cave was staring back at them. It raised its head up and pounded the ground. It’s sharp claws seemed to dig into the metal.
“The Bleisel is a strange creature, very strange. It never forgets its prey, never forgets,” The head said as the Bleisel licked its lips and stared at Mitch and Drak. “This one found you first before you came to us, came to us. It knows you, needs you. Your fate is tied to this beast, fate is tied, tied. The rules are clear, very clear: Survive at any cost, any cost and fate favors you. Defeat the Bliesel and your fate will be revealed, revealed.”
The Bleisel charged forward and lashed out sending Mitch and Drak diving in opposite directions. Mitch rolled over and got back to his feet. The creature whirled around and looked him square in the eye. It pushed off of the wall of the pit with its long tail and sprung at Mitch. He backed up as fast as he could and held the staff out in front of him in the hopes of keeping it away, but as the creature charged at him it reared back and screamed in pain. Drak had come at it from the side and stabbed it in the ribs with his staff. He pulled the staff out of the creatures flesh and was about to strike again when the Bleisel swung its long tail and knocked Drak into the wall. It turned away from Mitch and began to stalk towards Drak. Mitch looked down at the glowing staff in his hands. He gripped it tight and he saw a ripple of energy move down its length towards the end and form a ball or crackling light. He looked over and saw the creature ready to strike down on Drak who had backed up to the wall. Mitch charged forward without thinking and leapt into the air. He brought the spear down into the creatures back as he landed on it. It pulled back again and screamed in pain. Mitch dug the spear in deeper and the Bleisel rolled over in an attempt to catch him with it’s gangly arms. Mitch lost his balance, but held on tight to the staff as the creature rolled over. It was almost onto its back as it tried to reach over and grab a hold of Mitch while he clung to the spear. As the creature reached for him, Drak charged forward and brought his staff down into the Bleisel’s throat. Mitch winced as the Bleisel’s claws dug into the flesh in his back. Its body came down on top of him and a terrible smell filled Mitch’s nose. He screamed in agony as the claws dug further into his flesh. He tried to pull the staff out of the creatures back, but it slowly slipped out of his grip. The weight of the Bleisel’s body crushed down on top of him and he screamed out as he felt the talons break through his skin.
***
Mitch heard a muffled sound and the Bleisel’s body came off of him. He scrambled to his feet and saw Drak grinning at him while he pulled his staff out of the Bleisel’s throat.
“See, told you not to worry,” Drak said as he cleaned off the staff on his torn pants.
“Not to worry? That thing almost ate us alive. It’s a good thing these sticks were here or we’d be the ones getting devoured,” Mitch said as he looked in astonishment at the corpse of the Bleisel. “Speaking of getting devoured, here comes Ms. Spider lady again.”
The grey chamber lowered itself down as the head popped out again. It stopped when the head was level with Mitch and Drak and seemed to smile.
“Interesting, very interesting. There is much to you, much to know. Something there under the surface, underneath, underneath. The bleisel is a fearsome creature, we know, we know. But you’ve survived and your fate has been revealed. Answers lie inside the creatures heart, inside, inside. Let’s have a look,” the head said as it disappeared back inside the chamber. The blade appeared again and the chamber moved over top of the bleisel’s carcass. Whirling metal claws began to dig into the thick chest of the creature. Mitch and Drak stepped back in order to avoid the spray of greenish body fluid. After a few moments the blade ceased cutting and a set of claws emerged from the base. They quickly shot into the opening made by the saw. After a short moment they came back up soaked in the creatures body fluid and clutching a large organ. The chamber floated back to where Mitch and Drak were standing and held the organ out in front of them.
“The heart of the Bleisel is prized trophy, very prized. To consume it is an honor. Take a bite and I will reveal your future,” The buzzing voice said even though the face wasn’t present. Drak looked at Mitch. He flashed his grin and stepped forward.
“Not you, Chalthantarian. The Earthling must consume the flesh for the prophecy concerns him and him alone,” the voice said. Drak looked back at Mitch and his grin widened. He made a gesture with his hands and backed away, leaving Mitch staring at the heart. Above them the bug eyed people had begun to chant and pound their spears again. Mitch almost wretched right there. The bleisel’s heart was steal leaking fluid and it had a terrible smell.
“You better take a bite, Mitch. You don't want to offend the locals,” Drak said from behind him. Mitch could feel Drak’s grin burning into the back of his head.
“Come now, bite in while it’s still hot. Your fate awaits,” The head said.
Mitch gritted his teeth and he scrunched up his face. He clearly didn't have a choice in the matter and he did not want to have the wrath of the bug eyed people come down upon him if he refused the honor of biting into the heart of the Bleisel. Who knows what beast they would throw him to if he didn’t bite in. He took a big breath. He leaned forward and bit into the flesh. He felt a strange sensation take over him as he made contact with the flesh. Everything around him went black for a moment and he saw what looked like a burning orange sun next to a dark mass. They seemed to be spinning against each other, locked in each others orbit. The vision ended quickly and Mitch stepped back. The flesh of the heart was still in his mouth and he surprised himself when he swallowed it down. The Bug eyed people above them broke into what sounded like a celebratory chant and the metallic head began to eat into the heart of the Bleisel. Mitch and Drak watched in awe and horror as the jaws made short work of the heart.
“Oh, there much to know and much to see. Dangerous times these are,” The head said. “Your fate is a strange one, Mitch Mythic. I need time to ponder and to ask, to ask. I must listen and feel, listen and feel. You have much to do, much to do too. Go to KiGuan. He will prepare you for what is to come. Much to learn. Darkness is coming and your enemies are great. Get ready, be prepared, be prepared. I will call upon you when I know all, know all.”
The platform began to rise up and the chamber hovered above them for a moment.
“Who are you?” Mitch asked. He surprised himself when he spoke up.
“Ah, good question, good question,” the head said. “You will learn in time. Go to KiGuan he will tell you all you need to know for now. I will call on you when ready, when ready.”The head disappeared into the chamber again. The chamber reconnected with it’s outer shell as the spider legs quickly carried it back to it’s resting place. It sunk into the wall receptacle and a series of wires connected to it. The mechanisms began to move overhead again while signals of some kind passed down the wires.
Mitch and Drak were left alone on the deck amongst the bug eyed people. Everyone stood motionless for a second until one of their strange looking captors stepped forward and walked towards them. The others banged their staffs into the deck.
“Mother tells me that I am to take good care of you,” The bug eyed person buzzed as it stared into their eyes. “But let’s get something straight. She is an old fool and keeping you alive was a mistake. If you do anything to endanger the lives of my people, I’ll kill you myself. She may be mother but KiGuan is boss, got it?”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
HIS EYES OPENED and he sucked back a mouthful of air. A pool of blood and mucus spread out around him. The thick liquid dripped off of his hands and body, pooling onto the stones beneath his feet. He stood up and stared at the carcass’s of the creatures spread out before him.
“Rise and shine,” Kalis said as she swung her sword over her shoulder and spun on her heel.
“Coming?” she asked without looking back. Robert struggled to comprehend what was happening. He reached for his throat to feel for a wound, but his skin was still intact.
“You’ve passed your first test. You deserve a reward,” she said as she sauntered away. Robert watched her magnificent figure moving over the rocks, strange feline movements and powerful energy. He gulped and took a few steps in her direction before he looked down and realized how naked he was. The cloth he had used to cover himself was drenched in the green blood of the creatures as was his entire body. He felt hideous as he watched Kalis begin to ascend a staircase cut into the rock face. In the distance, Robert heard the low howl of one of the creatures. He winced as he began to hobble after her. Excruciating pain ripped through his body. He looked down and saw his bloodied feet. His soles must’ve been shredded as he had scrambled over the rock face escaping the creatures. Kalis was quickly disappearing into the mist as she ascended the stair case. Robert didn’t want to be left behind. He gritted his teeth and began to hobble forward. The bloodied pipe he had used to defend himself against the creatures lay on the ground a few feet from him and he picked it up. It was a little short for a cain, but it would have to do for the time being.
“Hey, wait up,” Robert shouted out as he began to make his way over the rocks. Kalis had vanished into the mist and his request went unanswered. Another howl erupted nearby him and he quickened his pace, in spite of the pain. He reached the stairs after a few moments and he clambered to the first landing. Looking up into the mist, he could see the staircase weaving it’s way up an immense cliff, a jagged line cut into the rock. A shiver came over him and he knew that he needed to keep moving in order to stay warm. The pipe hit the next stair with a thud as he began to slowly pull himself up. The strange woman was nowhere to be seen, but he could still hear the creatures howling in the mist.
The staircase seemed to go on forever. After what felt like a lifetime of painful steps, Robert felt like he had made no progress. But when he looked down he was taken aback by the dizzying height to which he had ascended. He could see the staircase spiraling into the mist below him, a serpent among the stones. He sat down on the stairs for a moment to catch his breath. The air had thinned out as he had gained elevation causing the mist to dissipate somewhat and he could now see a bizarre and foreign landscape spread out before him. Jagged peaks at impossible angles jutted out of the haze and he could see strange, plant like vegetation clinging to the stone. Shadows seemed to be moving in the mist below and Robert thought he saw a leathery wing emerge for a second but when he readjusted his eyes all he saw was the same white emptiness covering unknown depths.
How had he come to be here in this empty hell, and who was that woman, he wondered to himself. He began to climb again, and as he plodded up the stairs he retraced all of his memories. A furious rage boiled in his gut as he recalled his last moment in the dome. It all seemed to happen in slow motion. He remembered staggering forward, blinded by the light. And he remembered being pulled into the blackness. He could still see Mitch Mythic’s face looking back at him as he was sucked into the void.
