Miko and Jiron, as well as everyone else but Dave, congregate over by the outflow of the stream. They talk in hushed tones, occasionally casting quick glances over to where James sits in contemplation. Dave sits near him but remains quiet.
A memory comes to James, one from long ago when he first met Serenna back in Willimet, before becoming the leader of a cult. “I see a long road but you are not alone, another walks with you,” she said to him. “He will be the key, a lock must be opened.”
Is this the lock which must be opened? It has to be. But taking Miko’s life? Even if it means not fulfilling why he’s been brought to this world, it’s something he’s unwilling to do. Coming to his decision, he takes the knife in his hand and stands up.
The others come near when they take notice of him coming to his feet. Miko comes forward and with a haunted look in his eyes says, “James if you must do this…” His voice cracks and he’s unable to finish.
Giving him a smile, James lays his hand upon his shoulder. “I will not kill you Miko,” he assures his friend. “Even if it means my quest ends here and forever remains unfulfilled.”
“But…” Miko says, tears coming to his eyes.
“If Morcyth is such a god as requires the death of a good man, then I want no part of him,” James says then turns toward the door. Walking forward, he takes the Knife of Maricel and places it back into the scabbard.
Suddenly, the tingling sensation he’s felt since the words first appeared above the door spikes. Backing quickly away from the door, he watches as lines form around the perimeter of the door. Then in a flash, the door vanishes and the way is open.
Qyrll suddenly breaks into a laugh which draws the attention of the others. When all eyes are upon him, he says, “Don’t you see? It was a test of morals. Only one who would not take an innocent life would be allowed to pass. Any agent of Dmon-Li who read those words would have killed and killed in an attempt to open that door. Very clever.”
“Thank you,” James hears Miko say next to him. Turning toward him, he sees him wiping a tear from his eye. “I could never kill you,” he assures his friend. Raising the orb he moves to the opened doorway. “Now,” he says glancing back over his shoulder, “let’s see what’s in here.”
He steps through the doorway and into a large circular chamber, the cavernous ceiling disappears into the darkness above. A two foot wide ledge runs around the length of the chamber. Sitting in the center of the chamber is an island of rock surrounded by a fifteen foot wide chasm. The only access to it is a narrow stone bridge which arches its way across.
Sitting in the middle of the island is a small, plain wooden chest. Other than that, the island is bare. James makes to step onto the stone bridge leading across the chasm. Jiron puts his hand on his shoulder and says, “Not this time. Better let me take it from here.”
Hesitating a moment, he nods when he sees the wisdom in the suggestion. Stepping back, he allows Jiron to cross.
Uther comes to the edge and looks down. “Let’s see just how deep this is,” he says. Picking up a rock, he drops it into the darkness below. Jiron pauses before crossing and listens with the others. No sound comes back to them.
Jorry looks to Uther and says, “That’s pretty deep.” Uther nods in agreement.
Jiron then resumes crossing the bridge and reaches where it ends on the island. Stepping hesitantly upon the stone surface he gradually places his entire weight upon the island. When nothing happens he cautiously walks across to where the chest sits.
Before touching it he does a cursory check and finds a round area on the front with the Star of Morcyth engraved upon it. Realizing he’ll need James’ medallion as a key, he turns back to the others and hollers for him to come across.
“I think it’s okay but it looks like your medallion will be the key to open it,” he says when James joins him beside the chest. The others have followed as well and stopped several feet away.
Taking the medallion out of his shirt, he sets it into the Star on the chest and then turns it clockwise. The Star on the chest rotates a full turn and then the lid pops open slightly. Replacing the medallion back around his neck, he lifts the lid.
As the lid opens, he finds a large gem resting upon a velvet cushion. It’s comparable in size to the Fire and can only be the Star of Morcyth. He turns back to the others and says, “Miko, come here.”
As Miko begins crossing the bridge spanning the chasm, a light suddenly flashes from within the chest and James goes rigid. “Jiron!” Miko cries when he sees James start toppling backward.
Moving quickly, Jiron grabs James before he hits the ground. Lowering him the rest of the way, he looks up at the approach of the others and says, “He’s stiff.”
“Is he alive?” Dave asks.
“I’m not sure,” he replies. Placing his ear against James’ chest he can hear the slight lubdub of his heart. “His heart’s still beating,” he says in relief.
“What happened?” Jorry asks.
“I don’t know,” replies Jiron.
The city is in ruins but the citizens appear jovial. In the background he can hear a band playing a lively tune and from a side street children emerge as they play a game of tag, laughing and giggling.
As he walks down the street, he notices signs of rebuilding all over. Up ahead is a grand building which looks like it’s recently been completed. A temple.
He walks toward the structure and before he reaches the entrance, a figure emerges through the two large ornate doors. Bearing a hat and blue vest, the man looks oddly familiar.
“ Welcome,” the man says.
“ Am I late?” he asks.
“ No, you’re right on time,” the man replies as he opens the door wider to allow him to enter.
Suddenly, he’s in an octagonal shaped room with a marble pedestal standing in the center. Atop the pedestal is a small raised platform made entirely of crystal. A bright light shines from a large gem resting upon the raised platform, illuminating the room.
“ Where are we?” he asks.
“ The High Temple of Morcyth,” is the reply.
He glances to the man in the vest and asks, “Why are we here?”
“ To show you what must be done,” the man replies. “The Temple must be rebuilt.”
“ Where?” he asks.
“ Where it stood in ages past,” the man explains. “The only place it may be built.”
“ Is this why I was brought to this world?” he asks. “To build the Temple?”
“ Among other things, yes,” is the reply. “A war is going on which you humans know nothing about, one which could lead to the end of all you know.”
“ What kind of war?” he asks.
“ One between the gods,” the man says. “You’ve seen the results already, of what can happen to a world when the forces of evil prevail.”
“ That place with the shadows?” he asks.
“ Yes, that world was consumed by those who follow evil,” the man explains. “Dmon-Li is simply one of many who strive for dominance, world by world. When Morcyth’s priests were decimated and on the verge of extinction, a plan was set in motion to bring about his return. The balance must be maintained.”
“ Am I the instrument to bring about his return?” he asks.
“ It’s already begun,” the man replies. “His name is once more being spoken, that alone will not be enough however. He needs a focal point for people to direct their energy toward, in that way his priests can work to counter the evil.”
“ So the Temple must be built,” he concludes. “It will be the focal point.”
“ Yes,” the man says.
He turns to look the man in the eyes and asks, “Am I to be the High Priest?”
Shaking his head, the man says, “No, that task lies with another.”
Sudden realization strikes him, “The Temple was in the City of Light!”
“ That is correct,” the man affirms.
“ But, the Empire is in control of the City,” he says. “They won’t allow us to build it!”