The Star of Morcyth_ Book Five of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [172]
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