A/N: truephan here: Hello again, you wonderful readers! And Happy Labor Day, all you hard-working people! Enjoy your day of fresh air off! Heh-heh! But also, I'm so excited when I can imagine your eager eyes flowing right over these words right now in anticipation of this next chapter. Knowing that we've captured your attention this tightly just gives pearl's and mine muses the thrill of power and manipulation…er, I mean, just a thrill. Yeah, the thrill of ….fun! Ahem! Pearl and I would never want to control you! We just want you to read the chapter. Egads! Isn't that what control is? *Gulps* Well, then, heh-heh, hope you'll read it anyways! Enjoy!
Pearl: Well, of course we don't want to control them… Our muses do! *evil laugh* Not me! That was Vlad muse! Anyways! Here is another chapter of Sid! I really liked this one! And you guys are lucky to get it 'cause I am so tired. I just got back from the beach! Fun stuff, but tiring! But, of course, I love making you guys smile with Sid! So, enjoy!
Chapter 28: A Lesson in Choice
Justeco and Konsilisto carefully floated out of their cell, their lone eyes darting in every direction, scanning for trouble. Though they were still nervous about stepping outside of their comfort zone of just observing, they had to be sure that this chance of fate would not be lost from any further foolishness on their part.
Leading the way but momentarily stopping just outside their cell, Justeco firmly whispered, "Quickly and quietly, brother! We have to find out where our kinfolk are and set them free!"
"But I do not remember which way we came," Konsilisto nervously replied.
"I understand the confusion, Konsilisto. We were both tussled about quite rudely when we were being led into our cell. But I believe we came from that direction," Justeco said, pointing to his brother's right.
Konsilisto looked down that narrow, dark, dank hallway and shivered with fear again, especially when he could see by a distance light that the hall ended in a blind turn. Still, he nodded in silence and followed Justeco as both of the Observants began to float deeper into the cave.
But they had not ventured into the hallway for more than a couple of yards when Justeco noticed that the light at the end of the hallway was oddly flickering and he heard the approaching sounds of…
Guards!
Justeco's eye widen in alarm. But all the same, he immediately turned around and without a word, grabbed his brother's arm just before he pulled the two of them back toward their cell.
Konsilisto had promptly gasped at Justeco's seemingly rash action, but when he saw the distress in his brother's eye, he didn't protest or resist any longer and actually matched his brother's speed as they headed back to their cell.
Once there, they flew back through the open door of their cell. Justeco quickly and quietly shut and locked the door behind them, careful to grasp the small key tightly in his hand just as he motioned for his brother to retreat to the far corner.
And after only a few moments after both of the Observants had settled into that corner, several of Iluzisto's guards approached their cell.
The first guard immediately grabbed the door of the cell and yanked on it. When all the door did was rattle a bit under the force, the guard smiled before he glanced inside the cell. Satisfied at seeing the two prisoners still contained within the cell, the guard smirked and jeered, "Looks like you two can relate to sardines in a can, though I should say that you can relate to maggots in a can! At least, that is what you will look like in no time at all!"
The other guards with him laughed at the poor joke all the same while Justeco and Konsilisto merely narrowed their eyes into what looked like frowns without making any comments about the guard's audacity.
An awkward silence then descended on the group.
Justeco and Konsilisto grew nervous, wondering about what mischief the guards had on their minds; but then they slightly relaxed and were thankful when it became clear from the guards' subsequent conversation among themselves that the guards had never seen them in the hallway. Not only that, but the guards had not done anything more to them!
Finally, saying something about their needing to get on with their rounds, the guards left.
The two brothers looked at each other and sighed before Konsilisto nervously said, "That was too close, Justeco."
Justeco nodded and replied, "I agree, brother. And we were lucky that we had not ventured out too much from our cells so that we could retreat back here before our escape had been discovered prematurely. Come. It is time to go."
But before either had moved, Konsilisto suddenly uttered, "Wait!"
Justeco startled at his brother's rather loud and seemingly random response.
Konsilisto's eye lowered slightly in apology as he continued, "Forgive me for alarming you, brother. But I have just thought of something that we never had the need to use before, but might now give us a slight advantage in the immediate future."
Justeco managed to convey a frown of confusion in his eye as he said, "I do not understand, brother."
Konsilisto actually became more excited as he explained, "We have not had to use them in our realm before, but I speak of our powers to become intangible and invisible in this world. Perhaps, should we come across some more guards, we can still avoid any confrontation."
"Brilliant, brother!" Justeco said with a slightly amused laugh. "I had forgotten; and indeed, that may prove invaluable. And it may be possible to use even more of our powers if need be."
Konsilisto nodded in understanding before Justeco continued in a more staid voice, "Thank you, then, brother, for your good counsel with that!"
Konsilisto lowered his head in slight embarrassment before he nodded.
Justeco's eye glistened a bit before he exclaimed in hope, "Then, now that we are in agreement, I still think it wise for us to be cautious." He reached down and picked up several small stones that had been strewed about their cell before filling his pockets with them. He then jiggled his pockets a bit before saying, "Let us venture to the unknown once more, shall we? But not without a plan."
Konsilisto's eye brightened a bit as he replied, "Yes, let us go, brother."
The two nodded again before they quickly went to the cell door. Justeco hurriedly unlocked it and they both wasted no more time as they turned to their right and went down the hall.
But when they came to the end of the hall, they hesitated at the junction there. There was one hall that led to the right and another to the left. Justeco was sure they needed to turn to the right, but they now wondered where the left led to. Still, Justeco decided for the both of them. He placed one of the stones in a nearby crack in middle of the wall on their left just before he silently pointed to the right hallway.
They hurried as fast as their caution would allow. All the while, Justeco intermittently placed a stone within any crack halfway up the wall to their left as they followed this even longer and darker passageway.
Finally, this hallway met a dead-end as well. Justeco had slowed when he had seen it; but Konsilisto, who was still flying slowly behind his brother, was not prepared when Justeco suddenly stopped and therefore, had bumped right into him.
Justeco was pushed into the dead-end wall of this passageway. But instead of slamming into it, he was so surprised and unprepared for the movement that he phased right through it!
Konsilisto gasped at this unexpected turn-of-events and quietly hissed, "Justeco?"
Justeco immediately phased right back over to the same side where his brother was, his eye full of worry at what he had already concluded.
"I did not see you go intangible just now, brother! Yet, you were able to phase through the wall!" Konsilisto anxiously whispered.
"You are correct, brother, I did not go intangible. The wall is an illusion!" Justeco said in a low, almost foreboding voice as he pushed his arm through it for emphasis.
Konsilisto's eye widened in dread just as Justeco looked at him and confirmed both of their fears, "Indeed, this is very grave. It is all too obvious that Iluzisto is now able to create permanent illusions as before. His powers have truly been fully restored. And that is very ominous news for every creature in all of Existence. He will be able to create illusions to his liking and none will be the wiser…Not only that, this could also mean that it is very possible that he has turned this makeshift prison into a maze similar to the one he had for the prison in our realm. And that means that I am uncertain that the way we mark our past path will be correct…" He paused, trying to contain his panic before he sadly added, "We have failed once more, brother. We cannot hope to rescue our kin in this way...And I believe that we will need to try to retrace our steps and pray that it leads us back to where we started—including to our doom."
Disheartened, the former High Tribune felt a wet pressure in his eye just before a tear fell to the ground and his shoulders drooped.
Konsilisto was now a bit more panicked after hearing his brother; and he could feel the dread rise in him at seeing his brother cry. He had always depended on Justeco to make the right decisions and now that the former High Tribune was lost, the counselor felt that he was about to fall into the pit of despair...Still, Konsilisto managed to say, "Come, brother, let us try to make our way back to find the passage back to our cell. Perhaps there will be another path we can take to…"
But Konsilisto silenced and jolted a bit in surprise when his brother suddenly gasped and the angst he was showing a moment ago was abruptly gone.
"Justeco, what…?" the ex-counselor began, only to be cut off again.
"That's it!" Justeco suddenly cried, finding it hard to keep his voice down after interrupting his brother. "Path! Opening! The portals! Konsilisto, you have done it again!"
Konsilisto blinked, not comprehending what exactly what he had done. But, fortunately, Justeco continued to explain it to him.
"Surely you did not forget about our special Observant powers. As you know, our race of spirits can detect any natural portal to and from our Realm, to and from the Ghost Zone and ….."
"To and from the Real World!" Konsilisto finished for Justeco, finally connecting to his brother's train of thought. "And that means we might be able to detect any portal forming anywhere near this awful place—even the ones not normally detected!"
"Yes, yes, brother!" Justeco replied, his depression fully sloughing off of him. But then, he was aware of a slight drain of strength. Forcing himself to ignore that, he said with more determination, "And now it is indeed fateful that we were kept together…For indeed, it is because we are brothers that we can combine our powers like no other Observant. And that means that not only can we more easily and quickly find a portal to the Ghost Zone, but we can sense the correct pathway to it!...Then there is no more time to lose, Konsilisto! Let us commence in finding that portal while we are still well enough!"
Konsilisto readily nodded, but then his demeanor saddened again as he whispered, "…. But what of our kin…? Are we just going to…?"
Justeco placed a hand on his brother's shoulder and sadly replied, "We must, brother. I, too, wish we could free our kin and save them ourselves, but… we cannot at this moment; so we must find another way. Come."
With heavy central cores, the two Observants floated almost to the opposite end of the hall to get as far away from the illusion of the wall as they could. They didn't want to be taken by surprise by any guard who happened to phase through it and they wanted to have as much time as they could to concentrate on locating a portal.
Both of them reflexively scanned the immediate area once more before they clasped the other's forearms and closed their lone eyes in concentration. Suddenly, their auras brightened with their focused energy before each of their eyes shot violently open, turned a darker shade of green and quickly glazed over as if they were in a trance.
Just moments later, each of them uttered a soft gasp at the same time before their auras dimmed. But the pupils of each of their eyes remained thick with that same dark green color even when they let go of each other's forearms.
Neither Observant really needed to speak, but just the same, Justeco softly uttered, "Thank the heavens that a portal is close to the outside of this cave and the path to it is crystal clear. Let us make as much haste then, brother, before our powers wane with our weakening state."
Konsilisto merely nodded without a word; and both of the Observants carefully but deliberately floated, following the marked path that would be unseen by any other eye….
As the moments ticked by, however, Justeco and Konsilisto did not want to tell the other that they had noticed that the path was already fading; and that was because they were beginning to lose strength from the spell that Iluzisto had cast upon their prison. Nevertheless, neither wanted to discourage the other especially since they both could still see the path.
All along their trail they had met no guards, and so even with their weakening strength and powers, they were becoming more and more encouraged. In fact, they felt some of the weight of their melancholy lift from their central cores when they both realized that the entrance to the cave and the door to their freedom were just around the next corner.
But just before Justeco was about to turn the corner, Konsilisto noticed two shadows against the wall just opposite of the bend.
He grabbed Justeco, pulling him back just as he gagged his own gasp. But he quickly pointed out the shadows when his brother's eye was obviously searching his, questioning why.
Justeco's eye then widened in dread.
More guards!
And just in the nick of time, they both remembered what to do—they quickly turned invisible and intangible.
The pair of guards glided past the two former Observant leaders without even a change in their pace.
Still maintaining their invisibility and intangible modes, Justeco then silently motioned for Konsilisto to follow once more. They moved as if one unit, silently gliding toward what they knew was the entrance of the cave. They slowed only enough when they neared another small bend in the passageway and reflexively pulled themselves into the hewed out corner of that bend as several more guards past them without flinching.
Finally, they saw earthly sunlight sneaking into the cave just ahead. But they dared not hurry in spite of feeling more encouraged that their escape might be possible after all. They floated toward the light as quickly as they felt they could without making any noise.
But as they neared another corner, they slowed to a stop. They were suddenly aware that they had just lost their ability to maintain their invisibility and intangibility! But, if they could call it fortunate, they just knew they were very close to the entrance since the light was brighter, and they could feel the wind as well. However, when Justeco peeked slightly around the corner to survey the area, his central core sank in distress. The entrance was indeed there! But over it was a large door made of thick glowing bars which was being guarded by some of Iluzisto's soldiers!
Justeco quickly turned back and hurriedly told his brother what he saw, before leaning against the small rough crevice that was just behind him. He closed his eye in thought, squelching a sigh. Now what were they going to do? They weren't going to be able to slink past the guards now that they could not maintain their invisibility or intangibility, much less pass through what he was certain was a spirit-proof door! But before he could think about what to do, he felt that familiar tug on his sleeve.
He opened his eye and turned toward Konsilisto.
And just as he did, his brother whispered in fear, "We need to go back, brother! There is nothing more we can do."
But Justeco shook his head. "There must be another way, Konsilisto!" he quietly insisted.
Tensing his ghostly body and keeping the volume of his voice down, Konsilisto countered, "We cannot fight the guards to obtain any keys to the door, Justeco! But at least we tried to escape. We have no shame in that."
And just as he said that, Konsilisto turned toward a retreat.
But this time, Justeco grabbed Konsilisto's sleeve to prevent him from going. However, since he had never done that before and because he didn't want to give up, Justeco hadn't realized with just how much force he had grabbed his brother, and as a result, Konsilisto was accidentally slammed into the wall. And with his impact, several loose stones just above him rained upon him before loudly crashing into the floor. Though Konsilisto wasn't harmed by the small stones, the noise they made echoed down the corridor leading to the entrance of the cave!
Both Observants froze in fear. Now they would be discovered! But a few moments later, it was all too obvious that for some reason, the guards hadn't heard the ruckus because they had not yet come to investigate it!
Now more curious than anything, Justeco braved peeking around the corner. His large green iris immediately scrunched in a puzzled-like pose at what he saw….The guards: they hadn't even flinched from their location! In fact, they looked exactly as he had first seen them. Exactly.
On a hunch, he immediately pulled back from around the corner before stooping down and grabbing a fairly large stone.
"What are you doing?" Konsilisto gasped, barely containing the volume of his voice.
But before he could prevent Justeco's movement, Justeco tossed the stone around the corner. Once more, a significant echo reverberated as the rock struck the floor. And yet again, no guard appeared to investigate it.
This time, Justeco was sure now what all this meant. In the next instant, he boldly grabbed his brother by the arm and floated around the corner with more determination.
Konsilisto gasped loudly this time, now convinced that his brother had lost his mind. But when he saw that the guards hadn't even looked at them when they were headed right toward them, he furrowed his brow with confusion intermixed with fear. And before he could question Justeco, the former High Tribune had pulled them both past the passive guards and right through the barred door!
Once he was outside, Konsilisto then knew what his brother had surmised: Iluzisto indeed had his full powers back! He could now conjure up permanent illusions that did not need him present to maintain—just like he had done to one of their entrances to the Realm Beyond Time. And that meant that the guards and the barred door had been illusions all along—another cruel trick left by Iluzisto since the evil spirit would have expected the Observants to give up if it was even possible for them to get to this point. And Iluzisto had been right! Konsilisto had reflexively wanted to surrender and retreat as soon as he saw that illusion…Once again, the counselor Observant was crushed by his cowardice.
But when he turned to apologize to Justeco, Konsilisto saw the understanding in his brother's eye.
Justeco silently nodded in acknowledgement before quietly uttering, "Iluzisto truly understands the Observant mind. Had we been as we were before this whole affair, we would have been too passive and fearful to go any further than this. But, we have learned, have we not? Let us make haste to find a portal to the Ghost Zone, then, brother!"
Justeco nodded again with a slight twinkle in his eye, and led the way. He knew that the portal should be nearby, even if their powers now could no longer point the way to it.
Konsilisto quickly caught up to his brother and they then flew onward shoulder-to-shoulder, though remaining silent as they searched for the distinct marking of a forming portal—a marking that only Observants could detect.
Finally, Justeco saw the tiniest of a phosphorescent-like swirl.
They were here.
A few moments later, the portal fully formed and the two Observant leaders only slightly hesitated to plunge right into it….
Now in the Ghost Zone, the Observants froze in place this time. Even though the two had never been outside of the Realm Before Time before, they couldn't help but look around in wonder.
"One day, we shall have to see this place on our own time," Justeco found himself uttering before he suddenly realized how weak he felt again. How odd. He should be feeling better now that time had slowed considerably in here.
But then, Justeco startled when Konsilisto pointed at him and gasped, "Justeco! Our auras!"
Justeco frantically inspected the ghostly light entirely bathing his brother before he inspected his own.
Both of the Observants had ignored all along while in the Real World the fact that their auras were no longer white; but were instead, blue in hue. But they just thought it was because they were within the Real World timeline.
But now that they were out of that timeline and in the Ghost Zone…their auras were still blue!
Knowing what that meant, Justeco couldn't help but mutter, "Curse that Iluzisto! He cast that spell using Clockwork's Time Staff! So, we have not slipped from the clutches of the ravages of Time! That means we are no better off than our kin in that earthly cave! We must then hasten, brother, in our next task. We must find the secret shortcut into our realm. It is our only hope to avoid any more destruction while we search for a way to help!"
Konsilisto immediately begin to wail at his brother's words, "If only Clockwork had prevented Iluzisto from seizing his staff!"
"Yes, and curse Clockwork for not interfering!" Justeco suddenly snapped, now very upset about the situation. "Though Clockwork is as much a prisoner as we are, I still wish I could give him a piece of my mind for his lack of foresight and for allowing all of this to happen!"
Justeco looked at his still weeping brother and though moved to pity at seeing him, he said with a firm voice, "Konsilisto, enough! We have to use whatever strength we have to return to our realm!"
Konsilisto blinked his tears away and nodded weakly.
Justeco then said more gently, "Come, brother. We must try to find the path to that shortcut."
Once again, the two brothers clasped forearms and concentrated. They noticed that it was a little harder to focus but they persevered nevertheless. And finally, they were able to detect a weak, but definite track. They knew that they would have to hurry to fly to the portal while their strength lasted.
Along the way, Justeco's thoughts drifted to Clockwork again. How everything about the Time Spirit still upset him! In fact, he was now so entrenched in his fury it was as if his thoughts were steeped in his angry brew concerning Clockwork. If he should ever see that Time Spirit again before the end….
But then, Justeco could see that his raging thoughts had actually helped to distract him from the effort he was having in flying. And he hadn't even noticed he also had to help Konsilisto, who had suddenly begun to lag behind him a bit.
Along the way, however, the two brothers were jolted again and again by random ghosts who passed by them. While most ignore them, a few came too close for comfort. And one had tried to eat them!
Konsilisto and Justeco had fled in fear and had managed to escape the evil and hungry ghoul.
"Brother, these ghosts are horrid beings!" Konsilisto gasped out as he hid behind a boulder with his sibling, waiting for the large ghost beast to lose interest and move on.
And seeing the ghoul fly off at last, Justeco sighed and shook his head. Then, he uttered in a strange voice, "Not all, Konsilisto… Not all…"
His brother didn't have time to reply, since Justeco moved away from behind the boulder and continued their flight—albeit much slower now, since their near-escape with the hungry ghost had drained them further.
But sooner than they thought it would be, Justeco and his brother were at the entrance to a secret passageway into the Realm Beyond Time—a shortcut that had never been discovered by any other creature. But even if it had been discovered by any ghost here in the Ghost Zone, they would not have been able to do anything with it since only spirits would be able to pass through it.
"Ready, brother?" Justeco asked, trying to be upbeat as he wrapped his arm around Konsilisto's shoulder to support his now more obviously ailing sibling.
"Yes, brother. Do not worry. I can make it. All will be well once we get back to our home," Konsilisto weakly said, trying his best to be strong and assure his brother.
Justeco nodded and once again, they plunged into the entrance, though this time, Justeco had to aid Konsilisto through it….
"What do you mean he escaped?" Iluzisto screamed at one of his commanding guards as he angrily paced around the prison hallway.
"I-I do not know how it was possible, Head Master Iluzisto," the guard nervously replied, as he shirked away from the enraged spirit, feeling his superior's energy angrily snapping at the air around them.
"Yes," another of his commanding guards dared to intrude. "We only left the Time Master for a moment! We went to get weapons to give him that 'proper welcome' as you instructed us!"
"And when we returned, he was gone!" the first finished.
Iluzisto glared between the two captains before he whirled around; and with a cry of indignation, he threw a purple ray at one of the prison cells, instantly destroying its steel door.
The captains and the minor guards behind them all backed up a bit, clearly scared out of their wits.
"This is what I get for thinking you all can handle things without me! You are all fools!" Iluzisto then snarled at them, whirling back around. "Do you realize what this means? ….No, you do not! Even without his staff, that meddling time spirit is too much of a threat to be left free! He is a dangerous variable to my plans and you all have LET HIM ESCAPE!"
The guards just continued to cower in front of their leader.
However, Iluzisto growled and just glared with his reddened eye at the staff in his hand. Curses! This was a serious issue and a threat! Clockwork's being free could severely jeopardize his plans! No, he had to do something. He had to find that meddling spirit and destroy him once and for all!
"Curses!" Iluzisto thought again. "I should have never left that time fool alone! I should have dealt with him myself!"
In fact, it was a good thing that Iluzisto had decided to check in with his guards in the prison before heading to Justeco's private quarters to find that private portal he had there. He was here to do more necessary preparations, and if he had not already planned to come here, he would have been oblivious to Clockwork's escape and the trouble it posed.
But how in the Timeless Realm did the Time Master escape? He was powerless!
Iluzisto glared back at his guards, but he was still not really paying attention to them. No, he could not let this delay his plans any longer. In fact, with Clockwork on the loose, he needed to make even more haste. What if Clockwork sought out the crossbreeds and got to them before he did and somehow warned them of his intentions?
No, he needed to move quickly. Clockwork was not going to ruin his victory!
At last focusing on his guards, Iluzisto narrowed his eye and angrily commanded, "I want you all to find Clockwork at once! Without his staff, he is weak and can be easily subdued by you all. Search the Observants' quarters; search Clockwork's Tower; search this entire realm if you must! But I want that time spirit found and locked up! I expect it to be so upon my return, or you all will truly know the gravity of my wrath!"
Without waiting for a reply, Iluzisto whirled around and headed out of the prison. Still, he vowed that as soon as Clockwork was found, he would destroy that spirit. Yes, he knew just how to do it, too…
For now, though, he had two crossbreeds to seek out.
"I come for you now, crossbreeds," Iluzisto sneered with dark delight, as he made his way to Justeco's private quarters…
But as he headed there, his thoughts returned to his newer problem and he growled to himself, "I have no more time to waste! And I will have to trust my guards will recapture that infernal Clockwork!" Then releasing an angry sigh, Iluzisto sneered wickedly, "At least my time has been well spent. I have made the necessary preparations in my prison, in case I need to bring my 'pets' back home in order to rip out their cores! Those crossbreeds will rue the day they challenged me; and not only for themselves, but for the human female that is so dear to each of them! It is time to use that portal!"
When he at last made it to Justeco's room, Iluzisto readily floated over to the portal and said with a suspicious gleam in his eye, "This seems too easy. Justeco gave me the directions on how to use this portal too quickly. I would not put it below him to attempt to deceive me and have some hidden trap to protect this portal from being used by others such as me… Unfortunately, I cannot know for sure until I test it… "
Iluzisto tensed and gripped his staff harder in preparation before he cleared his voice and said, "Greetings, portal!"
Having expected some form of treachery, Iluzisto jolted when the portal came to life and began to pulse with green energy. The spirit stared at it for a full minute until he at last realized that… nothing out of the ordinary was happening…
Could it be possible that…?
Iluzisto suddenly laughed, and his eye then melded from red to its normal silvery-blue hue. "Now, I can see that craven Justeco was telling the truth after all! He is more of a coward than I thought! Still, I should be thanking him for his weakness now that it is time that I finish everything!"
Iluzisto's eye glinted in triumph as he then further ordered the portal, now with full confidence. "I am here and I wish to go to Amity Park in the Real World! In fact, take me to the Fenton Portal in Amity Park!"
The portal's green energy began to swirl again and Iluzisto immediately felt the tug of its invitation to enter into the portal, which he immediately did.
But then at the last second, he gasped at the realization, but it was too late! Before he knew it, he was in the mountains of China, being bombarded by snow and wind! He turned quickly around, ready to jump right back into the portal. But it did not allow him entry!
"No! Curse them! NO!" Iluzisto howled in fury.
What he had realized too late was that the portal had briefly flickered with a blue hue right when he had flown into it!
The High Tribune had tricked him into a trap after all!
Once they were in the Realm Beyond Time, the two brothers reflexively glanced at each other. Though they felt a bit stronger now that they were in this atmosphere, the blue hue of their auras still marked them as being under the spell Iluzisto had put them!
Nevertheless, neither of them made any comment about it and scanned the area, trying to get their bearings.
Then, they spied it….
Clockwork's Tower!
But then both of their eyes narrowed in confusion when they could see light—and movement—in the uppermost part of the Tower!
"It cannot be!" Justeco suddenly blurted out, his wrath rising again even as they still flew nearer to the floating edifice. "He was imprisoned at our fortress! He could not have escaped without his Time Staff! Has he betrayed us even more? And if so, why? He now has to answer to me!"
"Perhaps it is not Clockwork, Justeco," Konsilisto offered, still studying the area that hinted at being inhabited. "It could be invaded by another…" He then gasped, "Perhaps Iluzisto is in there!"
Justeco's eye frowned in doubt as he replied, "I think not, brother. You know that once Iluzisto sets his mind to a task, he will not alter until it is fulfilled. And his mind is obsessed with tracking the half-ghosts. But I think you are wise to counsel that we should be careful…and…"
Suddenly, the former High Tribune stopped and studied the highest window in the Tower. Now there was a lone figure right against the window, and it was looking out toward them…
Though he could not see the figure's face, Justeco would know that silhouette anywhere. It was Clockwork!
Now charged even more with his fury, Justeco firmly said, "It is Clockwork, Konsilisto! How dare he sit there and just…just gloat over having somehow gotten himself free and leaving us to rot to ghostly dust! Come, brother! I will have several words with the former Master of Time!"
Without waiting for his brother to respond, Justeco grabbed Konsilisto under his shoulder and charged toward the tower.
As soon as they reached the drawbridge-like door, however, it opened on its own, as if they had been expected.
But that only angered Justeco more and he charged right in, even ignoring the fact that he had left Konsilisto behind and that Konsilisto was lagging behind him.
Since the two Observants had been Clockwork's employers for what seemed like forever to Justeco and Konsilisto now that they had some sense of time, they both knew their way around the Time Master's lair. They flew right up the stairs leading to where they knew Clockwork would be.
As soon as Justeco had entered the main room—more formally known as the Focal Room of Chronology—the former Tribune spied Clockwork in the near distance…and the Time Spirit was still in stasis in his oldest form and his back was to the Observant! Just like the arrogant time spirit! And that just goaded Justeco even more. He would teach his employee a lesson! He immediately soared over to him, with Konsilisto following as best as he could behind him.
All the while that Justeco had been approaching him, Clockwork had kept his back to his employer. But Justeco was almost upon him when the old man form of the Time Spirit suddenly jerked around, his eyes and face lit up in irritation.
"Just how does he do that, even without his staff?" Justeco asked himself, quite peeved when Clockwork suddenly looked at him with even more annoyance mixed with that infernal arrogance! But before he could say anything, the time spirit spoke up.
"Of course…," Clockwork muttered with that same annoyance. "You manage to escape and the first thing you do is… come here."
"Yes, we have escaped and it is no thanks to you!" Konsilisto blurted out, clearly his own indignation getting the best of him.
"And you further come to waste my time," Clockwork replied seriously, though his eyes just slightly narrowed a bit.
Konsilisto looked ready to snap back a reply to the time spirit, but Justeco placed a hand on his brother's shoulder and floated forward a bit, indicating that he wanted to take control of the 'conversation'. However, Justeco had to swallow the temptation to fully give into his anger and so lose control of the situation. He needed to keep his head cool in order to correctly admonish the egotistical spirit.
So with restrained irritation, Justeco scrutinized his employee from head-to-toe before he said with slight bite in his voice, "I see you are well, Clockwork…. I do suppose you are going to tell us just how you managed to escape from the High Observant Prison when we all know it is nearly impossible, and more so with Iluzisto in control of it…"
"You suppose wrong," the time spirit answered, now a hint of a dark smirk on his face. "And really, why does it matter? Unless… it also matters how you two managed to escape…?"
Justeco narrowed his eye a bit. "You have some gall, Clockwork! We owe you no explanation. But you cannot say the same thing! Nevertheless, I hardly care at this point how you escaped—and really, I should not even be surprised. But even with all your arrogance, you will now listen to me, Time Master!"
"—And you will listen well to our every word!" Konsilisto readily added in all but a snarl.
But Clockwork's eyes suddenly flared, and he unexpectedly took a step towards his employers and right out hissed, "I think not! You have said more than enough words in this matter! And, as usual, you brought me in to do your dirty work against my will. And look what has become of it! Your precious Existence and Time are in grave peril. But what is worse, my Time Staff will still be doing the dirty work in what you have orchestrated!"
Justeco and Konsilisto hesitated, surprised by their employee's sudden fury. They had never seen Clockwork display any emotion so freely.
But suddenly taking the lead, Konsilisto's eye narrowed defensively. How dare Clockwork admonish him when the Time Spirit had his own explaining to do and…just who was working for whom right now? It was they who had a right to be angry, not Clockwork!
"You forget your place, Clockwork!" Konsilisto exclaimed. "And you think the fate of your staff is more important than the threat upon Time and Existence? Now I am sure that having your staff stolen is the least you deserve when you stood there and did nothing!"
"You are both still just as blind," Clockwork said in disgust. "But if you are right, wise Counselor, then I would be right to say that you all had this coming!"
"How dare you!" Konsilisto yelled furiously, though he made no advance toward the Time Spirit.
Clockwork just stared coldly back at the Counselor—and if mere looks could obliterate, Konsilisto would have been dust by now.
In fact, Konsilisto suddenly felt… afraid of Clockwork. He had never thought much of the power the time spirit possessed since the Observant Counselor had always seen the other spirit as an employee—someone below him. But now that Konsilisto internally knew that he and the other Observants had lost their control and power, the Counselor felt weak… And even without his staff, Clockwork was a force to be reckoned with…
But sensing his brother's sudden fear and Clockwork's growing fury, Justeco quickly intervened and firmly said, "I will agree that what has happened to your staff is indeed grave and regrettable, Clockwork! But you were summoned to our realm as was your duty. And it was your duty under the law to pursue our interests as you did, and you know it, Clockwork!"
They both knew they were speaking about the trial and the events that followed. Konsilisto merely looked on in silence this time. Although he was still very upset, his angry bout had him now feeling a bit weaker to say any more words. That—and, well, he was still feeling intimidated by Clockwork's last glare at him…
But the eldest form of Clockwork frowned in anger and countered, "The law merely states that a non-Observant needs to prosecute. I just happened to be in the wrong place…." He chuckled a little at the irony as he continued, "…at the wrong time!" But he grew angry again and said, "But it does not absolve you or the Council from your actions, Justeco! You very well know that I did not wish to prosecute! And I most certainly didn't wish to prosecute the boy!"
Konsilisto pulled on Justeco's sleeve to confer, but the former Tribune shrugged him off before replying, "You did not make that clear in the beginning, Clockwork, but you are right that you were the only logical—and available—one at the time, so really, you had no choice!..." He suddenly paused. There was that word again! Still, he pressed on, "…Still, you can merely say that you were taking orders from us, which is also your duty! And, besides, the evidence you presented was irrefutable!"
"My 'duty'. The 'evidence'!" Clockwork mocked back, his grey whiskers tensing. "To blazes with them! My foremost duty in this trial was to the boy! Or, did you also 'forget' that you had charged me with being responsible for him? So, by having made me prosecute him, you broke your own laws! Or did you forget that little detail, too? I should have defended him!"
Justeco and Konsilisto gasped when Clockwork's words hit them straight in their pupils. Clockwork was right! Any word spoken to the Time Spirit as a command was law! And they did charge him with full responsibility of the young half-ghost!
But then, a thought just struck Justeco. He had suspected all along that something was amiss on how the Time Ghost had conducted his prosecuting! At the time, he couldn't put a finger on it. But now, he could! Clockwork had twisted things around several times in the boy's favor, which was as much transgression as what Clockwork was accusing him of! His eye narrowed into something akin to a frown. Still, he should have expected as much from the Master of Time! And he was about to tell him that!
Before the former High Tribune could counter back, however, his thoughts were interrupted by Clockwork. And the Observant frowned when it seemed that his plans to accuse Clockwork of breaking the law by helping the boy all along was already being countered by Clockwork's next words.
"And as far as the 'evidence'! You Observants were—and still are—too haughty to see that any evidence brought against the boy was far outweighed by all the good he did in the end. That is called 'extenuating circumstances'! As for the older half-ghost, if you truly wanted to 'condemn him' for his evil ways, then why did you not seek justice before now? Oh, I know. It is because he made a mockery of your 'impenetrable fortress' and defeated your Observant guards without an ounce of effort, while you all cowed in fear before his power as he easily released Vortex. What the Observants sought out was not justice, Justeco. You all sought out revenge! And that, too, is illegal—as is twisting and conjuring up false evidence against an innocent boy! Or did you Observants in your eagerness to condemn the half-ghosts just because they stepped on a few arrogant toes when it came to Time and Existence just as eagerly blind your one-sighted eyes to those facts?"
"How dare you!" Justeco gasped, now mortified that the Time Master would dare insult them after failing in his duty to them and then mocking Time and Existence in their own right!
As soon as he said that, he felt his brother pulling more insistently on his sleeve. But Justeco was too charged up and just ignored his brother just as Clockwork continued.
"Oh, I certainly dare!" Clockwork hissed back, his eyes flaring even more this time. "So you think the synchronization of Time and Existence is like a parade, which should be watched from the sidelines by passive creatures—passive creatures too powerful for their own good yet who do not understand at all what it is like to exist as part of the timeline? Those kinds of arrogant creatures will never understand the meaning of life, whether it's a real life, an afterlife or something in between. And what is most pitiful is when they think they have a right to judge those that are in it from the sidelines."
Justeco suddenly grew angrier. He was just about to further admonish his employee when Clockwork didn't give him—or even the cowered Konsilisto—a bit of leeway with that option.
"In truth, the synchrony of Time and Existence is indeed like a parade, but it should be viewed from above so that all the twists and turns of life that could happen in its march would be just as exciting! But really, even then, they do not march! Indeed, Time and Existence dance, and all living creatures should be allowed to have options, to have choices in that dance so as to direct their own creative destinies!"
Justeco's eye conveyed irritation. If he wasn't so angry, he would have remembered his regret over everything that had happened. As it were, however, he had yet to fully expunge his tendency to being arrogant and gave into his fury…He knew all about destinies and free will and such. Those were actually the problem!
Justeco growled in irritation, "Yes, yes, you do not need to patronize me, Clockwork! I know all about those things! And this is my—and all of the Observants'—point about them! Destinies can be evil and destructive, as you well know about your charge's evil future self!"
"But that reality does not exist for this boy anymore, and you know it!" Clockwork quickly countered. "That is another timeline, another dimension that are no longer connected to him! At least, not in the way you all think! So, do not evade the issue!"
The former Tribune's eye narrowed once more in annoyance. He could not believe he was letting Clockwork get away with this badgering. He charged, "And so are you, Clockwork! But that does not lessen the guilt that destinies can be inherently malevolent—like the two half-ghosts—especially to Time and Existence! And…"
But Clockwork hotly interrupted him once more.
"I will agree that destinies can be evil if it is chosen as such, but that comes with the territory! But those two half-ghosts —and I daresay, humans and ghosts alike—aren't merely subjects in a zoo, waiting to be stared at. They are creatures with sentience and free will; and as such deserve to be treated with respect because of those very qualities, and because each has a unique role in the entire spectrum of Time and Existence! It is precisely their free will and their intellect that can allow them to steer their destinies in either direction. But with hope and commitment of those who care for them, it will be for the good."
"Now look who is evading the issue once more, Clockwork!" Justeco firmly said.
Konsilisto nodded profusely in agreement with his brother as he suddenly added, "Especially when you did not hold back in accusing the boy and proving him guilty of every crime we gave you!"
Both Justeco and Clockwork then turned toward the Observant counselor and frowned, but for different reasons. While Justeco could not believe his brother had not caught on to what Clockwork had done in the courtroom, especially when they had just been discussing it, the Time Master was thinking how dense the counselor truly was…
But the former head Observant just shook his head before he turned back to Clockwork and continued, "It is precisely because of their free will and their sentient behavior that bad things happen!"
But the oldest Clockwork countered back, "And it's precisely because of their free will that good things happen as well! And, thank the heavens, it is for the good more often than not! If human and ghosts were meant only to be puppets or as passive as you have been, then there would be no purpose, no meaning to their existence. But their choices? Ah, yes. Their choice to do good—and even to yield to misguidance and do evil—do give their existence purpose and meaning!"
The Time Master continued, "And why should I be the one to have to tell you that even then, your extinction would be a pity, especially when all the Observants have also been given a unique role in time and existence, all at the pleasure and wisdom of the true Wielder of Time and Existence, of whom you are well aware? Nevertheless, I am sure that we can all agree that the purpose of us all has to do with an entity more powerful and even more mysterious than Time and Existence. And that is what we understand as 'Love'. It is indeed the wisest of all ideals; and at least I am thankful that we have it!"
In spite of the Time Spirit's arguments, however, Justeco was still not convinced. "But you have missed my point, Clockwork! It is precisely when all of these….things you speak of are allowed that Time and Existence are threatened. We must prevent those evil ones, like the two half-ghosts, who broke the law and who would cause anything that would corrupt…."
"You hypocrite!" Clockwork suddenly shot back and both Justeco and Konsilisto gasped, mortified at the anger and force behind the words.
But Clockwork continued, "All I can say is one word: Iluzisto! And his name might as well be 'Law-Breaker' or 'Corruptor'! You dare condemn the two half-ghosts to the oblivion for their petty interference with Time and Existence when you have by the fact that he still exists allowed Iluzisto to do even more despicable crimes against your precious Time and Existence in the past and that which will probably happen in the very near future?"
"But you know our laws concerning the condemnation of Observants, Clock—…"
But the Time Spirit interrupted him yet again. "And a very enlightened and proper one!"
Both Justeco and Konsilisto's eyes widened in surprise at Clockwork's remark, though this time they felt compelled to wait for him to continue.
"You just should extend it to all creatures that have a role in Existence and are subjected to their timeline simply out of respect that they do exist and have purpose. Even I would not want to see you as extinct as Iluzisto wants you to be, even though you are such pathetically 'passive' creatures! And why not? Because you were still given intellect and free will to choose this passive destiny nevertheless!"
"But then, why did you not prevent what has happened to us, Clockwork?" Konsilisto interjected. "By not interfering, you have given your approval of our extinction!"
"No, I gravely disagree," Clockwork said with such soberness that it suddenly terrified the two Observants to their central cores. "You know as the Master of Time, I must remain neutral at times in order to guard the Timeline and to not interfere with destiny and free will. I have to allow choice, whether I approve or disapprove of the circumstances. It was my duty then that I not interfere with what was happening to you."
"I think it really was because you were taking revenge for…." Justeco began, only to stop himself. Revenge? Wasn't that what Iluzisto had wanted? Isn't that what, underneath, he now wanted to take upon the hybrids and now upon Clockwork? He suddenly felt blanketed with shame once more, half-listening to Clockwork's heated response.
"I have too often acted against my own conscious when bending to you Observants' wills. And if you choose to use that word as an excuse for not admitting the truth, of denying your hurt egos to erase any pain, then I will say that it is not the first time I have heard it!"
A sudden and tense silence fell upon the three spirits before Justeco finally said, "I will admit that I can be stubborn in these matters, but I think you are the Master of Stubbornness more than of Time, Clockwork!"
"How you see me is of no concern to me," Clockwork said almost flippantly before he added with almost disappointment in his voice, "But now, I do not think you are capable of understanding how important it is for you to extend your respect to all creatures who exist in time and let that guide your decisions about them."
"But that would mean…" Justeco then remarked as what Clockwork was insinuating finally dawning on him.
"Yes. It would!" the Time Spirit interjected once more, having a hunch that Justeco may actually be coming around. He knew what needed to happen: the Observants would need to change their laws and change their attitudes. But he could not say that outright. But he needed to make them understand that they had a choice.
"You Observants have prided yourselves in being passive, orderly and proper. But if you still truly believe that, then now is your chance to prove it. Fate is giving you the choice in this point in your existence to show that you can truly be just."
Justeco's eye blinked as an idea suddenly flashed in his mind. There was that word yet again! Choice! And, suddenly, all of what Clockwork was hammering at finally sunk into his ghostly brain. He fell silent at the realization, as if all the dominoes finally fell and set off the grand fireworks finale, as they properly should have.
And once that last bit of sparkle twinkled out of existence in his mind, Justeco chuckled.
Both Clockwork and Konsilisto frowned in confusion at his response.
Justeco's eye then twinkled with a bit of mischievousness as he explained, "The Council did not make an error at all when we appointed you the prosecutor in this matter! You have still done your duty quite effectively, Master Prosecutor!"
One of the corners of Clockwork's mouth hitched slightly, but he said nothing to that.
The former Tribune then remarked, "And I—and all the Observants like me—are guilty as charged! Though I must say that your….methods were…incredibly, er, creative—as always!"
The Time Master suddenly put on his 'poker face' and remained silent. But underneath, he was smiling in triumph.
Justeco was perplexed why Clockwork was suddenly as his usual self. Still, he pressed on, "And I promise that if we get out of this mess, I will do my best to call all Observants together to discuss and try to understand this kind of…parade you have presented to me. It is worthy of much consideration…"
Though Clockwork caught that hint of promise in the small twinkling in the Tribune's eye at the end of his words, the Time Master did not comment on them. He, too, had said more than enough words in the matter.
However, Konsilisto suddenly spoke up, though his voice sounded now a bit submissive and pleading, "Justeco is right. We have much to consider… However, for once, we need time, Clockwork! Iluzisto has placed a time spell on us all, forcing our spirit bodies into the time stream, which is slowly destroying us! Please, there must be something you can do!"
Clockwork regarded the two Observants. And although Justeco didn't look desperate like his brother, the time spirit could tell he, too, was hoping for some kind of help from him.
"… I think you both already know whose help you truly need…" Clockwork at last replied seriously. "However, I will give you both a word of advice: broaden your sight. I can assure you all things are not as they seem."
Konsilisto and Justeco glanced at each other, clearly unsure of what to make of their employee's cryptic words.
"I suppose this is what it feels like to be at a loss… in the timeline," Justeco said mostly to himself with a sigh. But before Justeco could say any more, an alarm sounded, startling the two Observants.
Clockwork flew over to the window and looked out. He frowned at the sight of Iluzisto's guards before firmly saying to the two Observants, "My tower is being invaded, you must go now!"
"B-But if you throw us out, we will be captured as well!" Konsilisto whined.
Justeco then pleaded, "This cannot be the correct choice now, Clockwork! T-Tell us how to fight and we will help!"
But Clockwork ignored them as he floated to one of the walls in the room with the two frightened Observants right behind him. The Time Spirit quickly activated a switch and a glowing purple door that had not been visible before suddenly appeared.
Just then, however, the tower violently shook at the assault on it from the outside and the two Observants gasped in fear.
Clockwork, however, kept calm as he then turned to face his two employers. He insisted, "I can work better on my own. This door will lead you to just outside your fortress. I suggest that you become invisible and intangible shortly after you go through it so that you will not be detected on the other side."
"But…," Justeco began, only to startle once more at another loud assault on the tower. He hadn't yet noticed that the glowing purple door had opened; and before he or Konsilisto could say any more, they were being shoved into the door by Clockwork!
"Turn invisible and intangible now!" Clockwork commanded, still pushing the two Observants through the portal.
Justeco and Konsilisto were too frightened to argue; and just as they were forced over the door's threshold, they did as they were commanded.
An instant later, they were sucked through the rest of the way from some unseen force on the other side….
Though they were both very upset about the abrupt departure from Clockwork's Tower, the two Observants' minds whirled along with their intangible and invisible ghostly bodies as they were thrust toward their fortress.
Justeco had finally come to terms when it came to Clockwork, though he was still not satisfied since he still had many unanswered questions. Even still, those unanswered questions were not as important as what Clockwork had said. Of course, he wished that he had been the one to scold the Time Spirit instead of taking the brunt of Clockwork's own admonishing! But really, what could he have expected? That was just like Clockwork to twist things to his advantage. Just as well….
And just as well that Clockwork had driven the same point that Iluzisto had said earlier. How could he already forgotten all that since he really did deserve all the punishment he had endured so far? He mentally sighed. Because of his stubbornness! And just because he had realized his flaws before didn't mean he was not still lacking in foresight and still clinging to his haughtiness. Change would indeed be hard and require a kind of dedication to persevere in it.
Nevertheless, all his sins still stung as bitterly as the illusionist had said they would. He had been blinded—or had let his brother blind him—to true justice. He had always thought he was fair in his judgments. And, really, he was. But he had been so caught up with pursuing the unobtainable prize of perfect adherence to and protection of the ideals of Time and Existence that he had forgotten about the 'grey area'—the common sense needed to actually thrive! And…worse than that….he had wanted revenge. How he wished he had come to his senses when things hadn't gotten this badly, when hope was all but lost! He would still be responsible for the destruction of Time and Existence no matter how much he had learned and had resolved to change…
Still, he was saddened that he might never be able to get the chance to change…He had never imagined that the Observants would ever be a defeated race, much less ones that would soon be extinct! Even still, it served them all right for not truly being just in all their dealings with all creatures!
Konsilisto was also feeling just as guilty as Justeco, and really, in many ways, he lamented his errors more. He had always secretly wanted to be a more respected leader and that is why he had been so easily duped by Iluzisto. And now, the reality of it was excruciating. Misguided justice had motivated him when he had insisted in having the Observants bring the half-ghosts to trial. And his meddlesome and prideful nature had insisted upon it.
The former counselor silently groaned in regret and some physical pain. Though being in their realm renewed their energy, he was still weakening and knew that he would not be able to resist succumbing to Iluzisto's spell much longer because he was never a physically strong Observant. He sighed at the irony. He had also never had had a strong backbone when it came to character, either.
Still, he would do his best to help Justeco and this terrible situation as best he could for as long as his strength would hold out. He had to…because for once, he had to do justice to justice.
Suddenly, he and Justeco were thrust from their thoughts when the vortex of the portal they were in slowed and then stopped. They were now no more than a few yards from the entrance to the Observant fortress….
Each of them suddenly shivered but for different reasons. For Justeco, it was at the thought of what he knew he had to do. There was only one hope and he would have to act and risk everything….For Konsilisto, it was merely because he was afraid even when he had vowed to be strong because he suddenly realized that he had no idea on what he and his brother could do here!
Nevertheless, Justeco glanced at his counselor and whispered, "We will need to depend on our bond and not words of any kind to get us through this next part, Konsilisto. Any utterance of any kind may very well sabotage any effort on our part to rectify our predicament. I cannot stress the gravity of the situation enough, because of what I must tell you…."
"Yes, Justeco?" Konsilisto asked with a heavy lump in his voice. Even though he was suddenly frightened even more, he knew that he could not fail his brother—or the Observants—anymore.
"I have a plan. And it will mean that we will be using the portal in my chambers!"
"But what if?..." Konsilisto blurted out, but then stifled himself when he realized that he had not controlled himself. "Forgive me. I understand."
"I know what is on your mind, brother. And you are right in that this will be a great risk on our part if Iluzisto is still here. Not to mention that most of his guards are most probably here as well. But, really, I am not all together worried. I am fairly sure that Iluzisto has already had enough time to use the portal, and is on his way to the wrong destination! I am thankful that Fate had not willed you to correct me with my direction to him. After all, we both know that the portal will take you where you want to go….but only if the 'you' is me! Any other voice which commands it will automatically be transported to the extreme opposite point of where they had originally desired to go—with no way to return, except through a long, arduous trek. And so, with any more luck, Iluzisto is probably somewhere in the Real World area known as "China" right now….And as far as the guards, we do know all of the secret passages that will lead us to my chambers. We will only be at risk for detection for very brief periods. So, that should give us the time we need to complete our task."
"And what is our task, brother? You have yet explained that to me, though I willingly go with you nevertheless!"
Justeco's eye softened at his brother's concerted effort to remain brave and remarked, "I will explain it to you as soon as I can once we reach our designation. But for now, we cannot tarry any longer."
Konsilisto's eye blinked in slight disappointment but he still said, "As you wish. I just hope that whatever you have planned is the wisest choice, Justeco!"
"Hope is all we have now, brother!" Justeco somberly said, noticing that his brother was beginning to lose his invisibility and intangibility without desiring so. "So, let us both be extra alert in getting to my chambers, especially when we cannot depend on our powers. All of Time and Existence depend on it!"
Justeco quickly flew over to a small darkened indention in the wall about fifty yards from the normal entrance to their fortress. He lifted his hand and concentrated. Suddenly, a previously undetected knob appeared. But then, he gagged his gasp when the knob began to flicker out of sight! He definitely knew that he was beginning to weaken from Iluzisto's spell. Still, he narrowed his eye in determination and concentrated. The knob became more pronounced and now worried how long that would last, Justeco grabbed his brother's wrist, turned the knob and both of the escaped Observants entered the secret passageway….
The two Observants floated as silently and as quickly as possible through this passageway and were relieved and thankful that they had not met any guards while they were between other secret passages. But they knew that their luck could end because they would have to be exposed for several yards in the very near future because there was no secret passage around the hallway that contained all the doors to the other dimensions, which they called the Hall of Dimensions.
They did not have to fly too much longer before they were at the end of the current secret hall that led to the Hall of Dimensions. They still had some ways to go to reach the High Tribune's chambers, and they did not know if—or how many—guards there may be between here and there.
Just as Justeco had said, nevertheless, they needed no words to know what they needed to do. By themselves, they may not have been successful. But because of their unique brotherly bond, they stood a good chance. They reflexively reached for and then grasped one of the other's forearms again before they turned intangible and invisible. They both had a hunch that together, they would be able to maintain their stealth mode until they could reach Justeco's chambers.
Even still, the two spirits kept mute, intangible and invisible in their flight toward Justeco's chambers. They would not risk anything at this point….
Still, their combined powers were put to the test a few times when they had encountered several small clusters of guards as they had feared. But they had passed by without any hint that they had been detected.
Finally, they had reached the entrance to the chambers. Justeco hesitated only a moment to check all around them before he turned the knob. He slowly opened the door, carefully peering around it to make sure all was clear. He silently sighed when there seemed to be no one around.
He and his brother darted inside and Justeco once more quietly closed the door before letting go of his brother's arm. He still had one more task to do and he still did not trust talking with his brother until they were on their way.
He silently motioned to his brother to wait just as they reappeared and rematerialized.
Though confused by his brother's actions, Konsilisto silently nodded his agreement and hovered while Justeco went to another part of the room.
The former High Tribune slowly and carefully opened a small drawer and then reached back and slid the fake back panel to one side before retrieving what he had come here for. He carefully grabbed the object and put it into his robe before closing the drawer once more.
Justeco silently motioned for his brother to head toward where the portal would be and waited until Konsilisto was near enough before he moved.
They were just outside the entrance to the small backroom which housed the portal when Justeco actually began to relax and sped up, anxious to get on with their task. But then, he heard some kind of a noise within the room that contained the portal and stopped abruptly.
His brother, who, of course, hadn't expected Justeco to halt at all, much less so unexpectedly, slammed right into him. He poked his eye upon the impact—and unconsciously groaned out loud because of it!
Justeco had also unwittingly gasped in reaction before he cursed himself under his breath at his stupidity; but the next thing he heard drove a cold dread into his central core!
There were excited voices fast approaching the room, and the knob to the door of his chambers was turning!
"What was that sound?" a faint voice was heard before the room's door was opened and two guards came in. They narrowed their eyes as they inspected the room with suspicious eyes.
But then they found nothing, one of the guards told the other. "Perhaps it was nothing…"
"Perhaps," muttered the other, still sounding unconvinced. But with no proof, the guard rolled his eyes and said tersely, "Let us go."
Justeco and Konsilisto waited a few more moments until they thought the guards were well enough out of earshot. They then phased through the bed under which they had hid even when they were intangible and invisible while the guards had searched the area. This time, they crept as silently and slowly as possible to the entrance to the small backroom, listening intensely with every foot of the way.
When they reached the entrance again, they strained to hear if anything was happening in the little room. At first, they heard nothing and wondered if they had imagined it. But then, they suddenly were seized with terror. What if Justeco was wrong? What if Iluzisto had yet to have used the portal? And if he hadn't, he might be on his way and find them here! The two brothers grew more nervous, suddenly having the same thought: maybe Iluzisto had already found out they escaped and was waiting for them to enter!
Konsilisto whispered anxiously to his brother, "We must make haste with caution, brother. Now I am force to say that we cannot be certain if Iluzisto has used the portal or not after all."
"Be calm, Konsilisto. We must do this regardless the risk. It is our choice," Justeco replied in determination. But… he was also afraid, for the former Head Observant was well aware that what he planned to do would cause enough noise that it would be easy to hear if anyone was close enough to his room. And they could not possibly know whether it would be Iluzisto outside or inside this room who would hear them. But they could not retreat at this point. No matter what they did, they would surely have to be quick—and hope for the best….
Gathering his courage, Justeco entered the portal room. Though slightly relieved that no one else was here, he determinedly walked right up to the portal and cleared his throat. "Uh, greetings, portal!"
The portal immediately began to glow and move, its bright green pinwheel of light swirling counter-clockwise, as if the salutation had turned it on.
Justeco continued, "I am here with my brother, Konsilisto, who also will be coming! We wish to go to…"
He paused and turned to look at his brother just before he added, "I will need to concentrate on this a bit since our weakness causes this to be tricky. Let me connect more directly with the portal."
The formal Head Tribunal then closed his eye in concentration before reaching out and touching part of the swirling portal. He suddenly lit up in a green hue when he connected with the portal, not losing any concentration in silently 'telling' the portal where he wanted to go.
Konsilisto's eye widened in shock as the portal brightened in intensity. He did not know his brother could do this. But before he could object or comment, he heard a loud commotion as someone burst into the main area of Justeco's room!
"There! The light! I knew I heard someone in here!" a guard's voice exclaimed.
"Who is in here? Come out, or you will be forced out!" another guard demanded as they carefully moved closer and closer to the room containing the portal.
"Brother!" Konsilisto whispered urgently and fearfully.
Justeco wasted no time and quietly demanded the portal, "Observe our desired destination!"
The portal all of the sudden grew brighter and Konsilisto could feel the slight pull of the vortex urging him to enter. But just as the guards burst into the room and spotted them, Justeco finished the task for his brother. He grabbed Konsilisto by his arm, and immediately pulled him right into the portal. The advisor yelped in surprise at the unexpectedness of it all, but he could do nothing about it, especially when the portal violently closed behind them right after they had entered it, denying any entrance by any other entity.
Before Konsilisto knew it, he and his brother were standing just outside the Fenton Portal, and within the Fenton's lab in Amity Park!
Truephan here: Well, are you glad you chose to get this far down? Gee, does that make you Observants or just regular people? Heh-heh! Sorry, having an extra day off just makes me all giddy and silly! But of course I hope you liked this chapter. I certainly did. I like it when people—uh, I mean spirits—see reason! Now, hopefully we'll get to the hybrids. More to come! Thanks for reading and reviewing again and hope you review even more! Until next time!
Pearl: Yes, we hope you are liking this transition that Observants are going through; of course, they need more work, but they are getting there. Ha-ha! And they tried to tell Clockwork off, only to get the tables turn. Man, you would think after all this time they have known CW, they would realize they can't win against him! Lol! But, well, we promise to bring in at least one hybrid in the next chapter, kay? We just had to let them get some rest, poor halfas! Heh-heh!
Thanks again for all your support, and please share your thoughts with us; it makes us very happy! Ta for now!