The island was gone; submerged beneath meters of calm, crystal blue seas, not even the twisted remnants of what had been the jungle's tallest trees broke the surface, but Juliet knew it wasn't over… the island was still sinking. As she watched the edge of another pyramid step was overtaken, the water deepening until the entire step was submerged, then the water level began to creep up the side of the next step.
Juliet was beginning to become afraid, and she redirected her fear to fuel her anger. This messenger might look like Dr. Zond but he lacked the basic decency that was the cornerstone of the real man's personality and Juliet was sick of being treated like a something the messenger had found on the bottom of his shoe. She wanted some straight answers from him.
"Look, I've had enough of this. Who are you talking about? Who is this child of power?"
The messenger turned and stepped close to the young woman, invading her personal space and forcing her to back away a step. He leaned in close enough to whisper in her ear, his breath cold against her skin. "You already know.'
Without really thinking about it a name came to Juliet's mind. "Nikko?" she muttered
Without answering the messenger stepped back and turned away, surveying the steadily rising water.
"The power is already awake, without guidance and control it is a power to be feared, and a threat to be stopped… a task that belongs to you."
"Why choose me?"
The messenger turned his cold, dead eyes toward her again. "No one betrays like a woman," he said, making no attempt to hide the scorn in his tone.
Juliet shook her head ignoring the insult to focus on the more important issue. "You're wrong. Nikko is young and little impulsive but he really cares about people. Even if he did have a power he would never do anything to harm anyone; he is one of the kindest people I know. He is not dangerous."
In a sudden movement the Solomon figure pushed her back until she was pinned against one of the ruined alter pillars, unable to move. "You fool! You have seen what is at risk. The child may yet be innocent but evil hunts him. Soon it will know his name and if the darkness finds him before he finds the light he will become a destroyer."
"What do you think I can do about it? If his own father can't save him how am I supposed to?"
The messenger laughed bitterly. "You are not fated to save him, woman, you are destined to kill him!"
"Kill Nikko… you're insane! I couldn't kill anyone, let alone Nikko!"
The messenger's, stale breath washed over Juliet's cheek. "You would save the life of one at the cost of all?"
Refusing to believe it, Juliet shoved the messenger back away from her and stepped clear of the pillar. "No, there has to be another way. You said without guidance the power was dangerous, what if we were to give Nikko the guidance he needed. Would that make the power safe?"
The messenger shook his head, the gesture looking similar to one Dr. Zond would use. "Guidance can not be enforced, it has to be sought, and the opportunities are being lost."
A glimmer of hope flared, "What opportunities?"
"Three chances have been gifted to the child of power to avoid the terrible fate that awaits him, and he as already allowed one to pass him unrealized."
"Yes, but Nikko still has two more chances… right? There's still hope for him."
"Less than you may think. Each subsequent opportunity is less appealing and harder to submit to that the one before it. He has refused the simplest of chances, what hope is left that he will choose a more difficult one?"
For the first time since she's met the messenger, Juliet smile. "Nikko never takes the easy road. There is still hope. Can you tell me anything about his opportunities?"
"The lost chance to defeat the darkness was for him to rise above his fear and open his heart to love. When the time came he fell victim to his fear and shut his heart. You have seen this."
Juliet thought back over Nikko's strange and unapproachable attitude over the last few weeks and realized the messenger was right. Nikko had shut everyone out; especially his father and no one loved that kid more than Dr. Zond.
"And the other chances?" she asked.
"Second, he must set aside his pride and trust another to help in a time of need. Should he fail that his last chance is to sacrifice himself to the unknown on a thinnest of hopes. Only thorough love, trust and hope can the power be used as it was intended. Fear, greed and anger will destroy everything."
