Chapter 11: Hidden Secrets
The overall flight took an estimate of a couple of hours. At first, Shade thought that they would get lost during the trip, but surprisingly, they found the glade in the forest almost too easily. They all marveled at the beauty of the glade – a pure clear pond, insects hovering all over it. Trees surrounded the glade as if they were guarding it with their lives. The center of the pond was completely open to sunlight and moonlight alike and small, strange plants surrounded the edges of the pond, crawling with insects as well. Shade thought that this glade was a perfect paradise in his eyes. He could probably last a whole winter here.
Everyone positively decided to hunt around the glade momentarily because of its great beauty and attractiveness. While everyone was hunting for insects, Shade drank from the glade and smiled pleasurably as he noticed the purity of the pond water. He drank some more of the water and suddenly heard a rustling noise behind him. Shade carefully and slowly looked behind him and a very tall bat with thick fur like Stellar's came out of the bushes and looked down at Shade with a tender smile.
"Shade Silverwing, I presume?" the giant bat asked rather toneless. Shade gazed away from him, wondering how he knew his name. "My daughter told me about you." He continued, as if he just read his mind. Shade looked back at the giant Crimsonwing with great interest.
"So, you're Stellar's father?" The bat just nodded. He flicked his head backward.
"Come. All the others are resting in my private roost."
Shade followed Stellar's father to a tall tree with a snug hole at its base, hidden well under a pile of leaves and dirt. The giant bat gently swept the dirt away and crawled into the hole with little difficulty. Shade watched for a moment until he disappeared into the darkness. Assuring that it was safe enough, Shade slipped into the hole and crawled deeper and deeper with ease. For at least some time in his life he was lucky to be small. He could still feel and smell the fresh air as he crawled still deeper into the tunnel way.
As he still crawled deeper, he felt a slight change in the air. He could scent the smell of pure soil and dry leaves fill the air. He sent out a wave of echoes and saw the tunnel finally end and open out into a roomy cave that could fit fifty bats. On the roof of the underground roost he saw a network of curved, string-shaped wood, jutting in and out of the dirt ceiling. Shade instantly knew what they were – the roots of a tree. These roots made perfect roosting spots. Shade flew up and perched on one and could see everybody else roosted nearby him, talking excitedly to Stellar's father. They noticed Shade and called him over. Shade reluctantly flew into the crowd.
"Shade, this is Kaiser, my father." Stellar stated. Shade and Kaiser shook hands without a word. "I know you're surprised by his immense size." He nodded involuntarily.
"Everybody says this. Some even say I could startle any Vampyrum that would lay eyes on me," said Kaiser, everybody laughing in slight unison. "Anyway, I am very glad you all could arrive. I was thoroughly expecting you to come."
"You have? How?" Marina asked in puzzlement. Stellar stifled a laugh and this made Shade uncomfortable. He felt that Stellar knew things he did not and this kind of feeling always made him envious.
"My ears. If I can listen hard enough, I can hear the future and even the past. Also, it was said in the prophecies." Kaiser explained. Shade felt a pang of happiness inside as he remembered Zephyr from when he was young. He had taught him about following stars, he had healed his wounds, and best of all, he helped Shade have the courage to find his father.
"Now then," Kaiser started as he turned to Shade. It seemed as if Kaiser was staring through him, but Shade realized that he was looking at the marking on his belly. "Shade Silverwing, Nocturna's true chosen one. I know you are full of questions, full of uncertainty, and full of confusion. I know that you do not know much of what is really going on."
"Nocturna has given me life in order to come back and defeat Zotz," Shade stated. Kaiser just shook his head in response.
"There are more secrets lying behind that you do not know of," he said. "Follow me. Only you are permitted to hear this." Kaiser flew into the exit hole and crawled into the darkness. It happened so suddenly that the silence that filled the roost left Shade with a sick feeling. He didn't hesitate any longer and flew in after Kaiser.
Both of the bats crawled out of the hole and stood beside each other. Kaiser was staring out into the bright sky while Shade just stared at him anxiously, waiting for him to speak.
"Shade, you have been granted great power." Kaiser said. Shade was about to grunt but kept it in to remain respectful to Kaiser. Of course he knew that he had great power. Just look at how easily he carried his weapon! His weapon. The thought hit Shade's head like a rock.
"My sword, I forgot it at the glade!"
"I will follow you." Shade just ignored and flew to the glade, knowing Kaiser was behind him due to the sound of his huge wings beating the air and leaving debris floating lazily behind his path. Shade sighed in relief when he saw that his blade was set peacefully beside the glittering pool of pure water. He picked it up and swung it at the air aimlessly with ease. Shade looked at Kaiser, seeing that he was indeed impressed.
"You can swing a sword of that size for a reason. You know that, yes?" Shade just nodded humbly.
"Everyone else has great difficulty trying to," said Shade with a laugh.
"Even a bat as wise as I am does not truly know how this is possible. I do not even realize what power you actually have inside of you." This remark left Shade breathless. What had he called him out for then? "However, I do know some things about the evil that is appearing on the world." Shade listened carefully with his ears pricked up.
"These odd creatures are a work of Cama Zotz," Kaiser started. Shade felt a chill run down his spine. Just the name of that god caused him great fear. "Since the last ritual failed, Zotz wanted to repeat it, only this time taking drastic measures.
He is using animals on this world to create them. Using fissures, he sucks them into the underworld, taking their physical form and possessing them with demonic spirits that serve him. He uses these monstrosities to stop you. To stop anyone from causing this ritual to fail, but this is now where Nocturna comes in. Shade, Nocturna seems to have arisen from her dormant state."
"Dormant…state?"
"The Tree is Nocturna's physical body. She is not hopelessly destroyed. For a long time Nocturna was asleep, healing ever so gradually for the right time where she will arise and finally stop Zotz. This time was when she gave you life Shade, and her power."
"But, why me?"
"That, I am not fully sure of. There are some things that I cannot see, Shade, and that is all the times you went after your son to the Underworld."
"How do you know that??" Shade demanded hotly. He did not want others to know what he did, but at least Kaiser had no idea what happened. Shade suddenly felt foolish as he realized that Kaiser answered the question before.
"Shade, whatever you have done in the Underworld, caused Nocturna to choose you. Obviously I don't know what it was. That is practically your own personal business. Now, about the Vampyrum.
They have their former leader again, Goth. Cama Zotz is truly impressed by Goth's persuasiveness to serve him and has given Goth a portion of his strength as well. His army is much larger than before and they are making horrible plans. You do know of the war between the birds and the beasts?" Shade shaked his head curtly. There was a war going on?? "Goth is using this for his plans. Soon, the birds and beasts will engage in a bloody war, but in between, the creatures will arrive in a massive army. They will take every bird and beast left alive in the battlefield, and then…"
"They will use the birds and beasts for their sacrifices?" Shade finished.
"Yes."
"No…Orestes," Shade whispered to himself. Orestes was the leader of the army. He would most definitely be in the war. But would he die during the war, or would he live to be taken by these hideous creatures and sacrificed to the ritual? Shade looked at the ground in disbelief and put his wing over his head. He could not take it. When the next moon rises, he will return to Bridge City…to stop Orestes from engaging in the inevitable war.
When the next night arose, everyone went out to hunt. Again, Shade hunted by himself and felt hesitant whenever he thought about leaving everyone to go back to Bridge City. He did not want Orestes to die and he would even tread off Nocturna's path to help him. But he thought about everyone else. When he was gone, would they remain at the glade, or would they travel elsewhere?
"Stop it," Shade thought to himself. Why would they just fly off, leaving him behind? Shade turned around and saw Marina who easily caught a tiger moth that attempted to speed past her. After eating her moth, Marina noticed Shade and flew over to him.
"What's on your mind?" she asked him. Shade shuffled and turned away, reluctant to tell her what he planned to do. "Tell me, Shade. Don't hide things like this away from me." She was brushed up against him, her face next to his. Shade felt warm, too warm.
"I want to go back to Bridge City,"
"What? What for?"
"Orestes. He is in serious danger."
"Huh??"
"I just…I have to go, okay?" Shade said, desperately wanting to fly away. Marina grabbed his arm tightly. Shade winced a little.
"You cannot do this if Nocturna does not will it. You know what happens if you don't listen to anything she says."
"But she hasn't told me what I have to do yet!"
"Well, then, I'll go with you."
"Marina-"
"Don't." She said, putting his wing over his mouth. "You can't stop me."
Orestes was feeling hopeless. More bats and owls seemed to disappear every time he looked away from them. Because of this, the underground-dwelling rats came to investigate the strange incidents, lead by the new, powerful ruler named Cortez, who was formerly a general of the rat colony.
"How does this keep happening?" Cortez asked Orestes rather impatiently. Orestes shook his head balefully.
"All we see is a large explosion of water underneath that engulfs the entire bridge. I swear that is all!" Orestes explained sadly. Cortez scratched his chin.
"I have heard of some prophecies and crazy rumors. They all have to with this bat god called Zotz and the resurrection of this other god called…Nocturna, yes, that's her name. Perhaps this Zotz character is taking your people, although, I highly doubt it." He said scornfully. "We have to speak with your father about this matter."
The two bats decided not to tell anyone of their trek back to Bridge City. As fast as they could, Shade and Marina flew with great haste towards Bridge City, hoping deeply that Orestes hadn't gone off to war with his troops yet. They finally arrived at the bridge much more quickly then expected and Shade felt relieved when he saw Orestes conversing with fellow owls. Shade and Marina landed next to him, breathing heavily. Orestes was startled by their appearance and Cortez came from behind him.
"Who are these?" Cortez asked loudly. Shade turned around and recognized the rough voice. Cortez was surprised at who he saw and walked up to Shade. "I think I know you. Shade Silverwing? The runt at that pyramid?" Cortez said in remembrance. Shade patted Cortez's shoulder, but Cortez rudely shoved it off.
"I'm glad you remember me, friend. What is the commotion?"
"Oh, you wouldn't believe it. Bats and owls, missing because of some stupid explosion. We are thinking that this, Zotz guy did it, but that's ridiculous stuff, isn't it?" asked Cortez.
"That is correct. Zotz is crafting terrible creatures at this very second." Cortez noticed Shade's marking.
"I thought all this prophecy junk was a hoax! Well then, what will you do then? Will you try to stop those hideous creatures a second time? Count me out!" Cortez said roughly and folded his arms. Shade made a puzzled face.
"Well I am not sure about what we will do, but I have to talk to Orestes for a minute. Orestes, may you meet me at the top of the bridge?"
Shade, Marina, and Orestes soon united and perched on the top of Bridge City. Orestes told his bodyguards to stay put on the bottom levels of Bridge City. Shade wanted to talk to Orestes privately, at least, not with anybody but Marina. The three stood there for a short moment. Orestes looked at Shade confusingly, not knowing what was going on. Suddenly, Shade shoved Orestes roughly, forcing him a few steps back.
"Shade!" Marina shouted.
"Why didn't you tell me??" Shade shouted at Orestes. He shoved Orestes again as he only looked at Shade in shock.
"Shade, what the heck are you doing!?" Marina again shouted at Shade.
"Why didn't you tell me about the war? Why did you let me run off and not worry about you??" Shade bellowed. He felt rage pouring out of his ears as tears seemed to form in his eyes. Orestes just shook his head and extended his wings in complete confusion as Shade pushed him again. "I do not want you to keep things like this away from me, you hear? You are my closest owl friend, and I cannot let you keep life-threatening secrets away from me with my back turned!"
"Shade!" Marina yelled, pulling Shade away from Orestes, who still stared at him in bewilderment. Shade got out of Marina's grasp and embraced Orestes's stomach without letting out a sound. Awkward silence filled the air as Orestes embraced Shade as well.
"I'm so sorry…" Orestes said forlornly. "I really should've told you, but I didn't want this to take you away from your mission. I didn't realize you had such feelings towards me."
"You had to tell me. You had to. It would've been better." Shade said, his voice muffled as he buried his face deeper into Orestes's belly. "Do you have anything else to tell me??"
"No…I don't."
"Really?"
"Well, actually I do." Shade let go of Orestes and took a deep breath. "Luger, the leader of the beasts, has had enough of my activity and declared war. He is giving me two days to prepare to give in to him, and if I don't, he will find a way to get his soldiers into Bridge City and will kill everyone, bats and owls. I can't let this happen."
"Why don't you surrender?"
"If I do, you won't have the sun anymore, and all owls have to be under the beast's rule."
"No…"
"Well, now you know. This war is inevitable. I must lead my troops, but me and Luger will not be included in the fight, if that makes you feel better in any way."
"But all those lives…"
"There's nothing I can do, Shade. I have to fight this war. I want peace to reign and I want you bats to have the sun again, forever."