Chapter 7
Earth defiantly was not the same Earth that Ellipsis had known. From outer space it had a more orange tint to it. The areas where there would be green on the planet's surface are now yellow and brown. The blue ocean was now orange. The clouds that circled the planet looked blacken and smoky. As the escape pod approached the planet, Jane appeared from behind Io and Ellipsis.
"A barren planet they call it; once a Garden of Eden, now a dried up wasteland." Jane said with a sigh. Io flipped a few switches and Jane started to scan the surface for a possible safe landing place as well as gather radiation levels.
"There's not going to be much. Reports have not been very positive on the state of the planet. No signs of life." Jane said as she continued to monitor the screens. Ellipsis gave Jane an inquisitive look.
"We're going to be able to breathe right?" Ellipsis said while raising an eyebrow at Jane. Jane looked back at Ellipsis and rolled her eyes at her.
"Of course..." Jane said with a smile. Then something on the monitor began flashing. It caught the attention of both Jane and Io. Ellipsis had no idea what was going on. She never really knew too much about machines or computers. The windmill was an amazing thing when it was first introduced and electricity was just way out of her league for close to thirty years and yet cameras were feasible for her to comprehend. Io looked over at the monitors and then looked up at Jane with a concern look. Jane looked back at Io with the same look. Whatever it was it was certainly disconcerting.
"Could check it out…" Io said. Jane didn't say anything but gave her a nod in agreement. Ellipsis was still out of the loop and was slightly confused by the antic of the two. It was like they were speaking in a language of their own. Io then moved the controls forward and the escape pod began to tilt downward, heading for earth. As the escape pod entered in the atmosphere, Ellipsis was once again intrigued by the cloud of smoke and the orange glow of the escape pod as it passed through. The rumbling and violent shaking of the escape pod did not put Ellipsis at ease, as she started getting motion sick. She felt her stomach turn upside down and before she knew it, she dropped to the floor and puke. This of course surprised both Jane and Io. Jane rushed over to assist Ellipsis and try to move her to a more stable area that or at least give her an appropriate area to vomit. After they passed through the atmosphere and the rumbling ceased, Ellipsis was fine. Suddenly from the control room, Jane heard Io call out her name.
Jane left Ellipsis in the medical room lying on the cot with a bucket next to her in case of sudden turbulence. Ellipsis had forgotten that she got motion sickness and didn't expect this sudden occurrence. When Jane walked into the control room her jaw dropped. Outside, through the window, there stood right in front of them something completely unexpected. It was a tree. It stood about fifty feet tall and casted a large shadow over the ground. All around it, lushes green had surrounded it. Its leaves were a bright pink and its branches stretched out far. Jane was left speechless as well as Io. Strange blue fruit hung from the branches.
For a moment they said nothing only just gawked at the sight. Everything they knew about the planet has been tossed out. Jane quickly ran around the escape pod while Io set coordinates for landing. Jane ran into the medical room where Ellipsis was resting.
"Ellipsis…!" Jane shouted out. Ellipsis rolled over to look at her with one eyebrow raised. Jane couldn't bear to form a proper sentence. She just chuck out random words such as 'look' and 'tree' while making excited motions with her hands. Ellipsis continued to look at Jane with query in her eyes as Jane ran around the medical room gathering sheets of paper and a pen. The escape pod landed with a thud and Ellipsis could hear more running around all over the escape pod from both Io and Jane. Whatever it was, it must have been something important. But as Ellipsis got up to leave the medical room she spotted a familiar creature.
Over in the corner of the room, sitting on a stool was a red fox. Ellipsis froze up. She knows she defiantly seen that fox before somewhere and it was most certainly not in the room with her before. Ellipsis turned to the fox, who continued to sit on the stool and gaze at Ellipsis.
"What are you and what do you want?" Ellipsis said in a distress yet quiet tone. The fox said nothing, only stood up and before Ellipsis knew it, it had vanished. Ellipsis stood in the doorway of the medical room for another few minutes before being dragged away by Io.
"Ellipsis, you have to see this. It's incredible." Io said as she tugged Ellipsis by the scruff of her shirt. Ellipsis was still lost in thought about the fox, she say nothing. Io took Ellipsis to the control deck and showed her the sight outside. Ellipsis stared at it for a bit, unsurprised. Then a thought occurred to her.
"You guys said this planet was dead. And what I am seeing right now, is not a planet that's dead." Ellipsis said in a condescending tone as she looked at Jane and Io. Jane and Io looked at her and simply rolled their eyes. This was far too exciting for them to care about Ellipsis's apathetic tone. Jane looked at her monitors one last time and told Io to fetch some gasmask incase the monitors were wrong. As the group assembled near the opening hatch, Jane and Io still showed their level of anticipation. Jane was thinking about the possibilities of getting some samples of the wild vegetation and possibly setting up a colony. Io was anxious to explore a new world. Ellipsis on the other hand, was terrified. As soon as she got close to the hatch and the gate started to slowly open she thought she heard a voice calling her name.
A feeling came over Ellipsis as the hatch came fully down and they stepped out into the sunlight. It was a peaceful, warm feeling; one that was comfortable and at the same time, somewhat familiar. As Jane and Io made their first steps on the green grass they gazed at the world for the first time. For a couple that have spent their whole lives in space, walking around on a planet felt weird to them. As they made their first few steps on the plant's surface they lost their balance a few times. It was a whole new experience for them. For Ellipsis, it was another day for her on planet Earth; except everything felt calm, peaceful and quiet. She didn't know if it was because she had spent too much time in the Umbral Sphere or in the presence of the Black Mirror but she suddenly found herself at ease. As she sat down on the grass she didn't hesitate to removed her gasmask and take in a deep refreshing breath of air. The warm sum hitting her face was just right. The feel of the grass prickling the back of her head as she rested on the ground was perfect.
Jane and Io saw what Ellipsis had done and hastily rushed over to her, thinking she had inhaled a toxic gas but Ellipsis assured the two that the air was breathable and harmless. After Io and Jane hesitated to remove their gasmask they did so together. The first breaths of air they took were overwhelming for them. After for a while the three stood up from their resting spot and decided to explore the area. Jane and Io still wobbled a bit as they walked around.
Jane went off and took some samples of the leaves from the trees and some blades of grass. The leaves of the trees came in all sorts of colors, blue, green and even yellow. This was astounding for Jane as she only read about trees in books and the only vegetation she had ever previously come to see prior to landing on Earth was the potted plant she had on her desk before it got destroyed and turned into a homemade cigar. As she moved around the local area she found a little stream and took some samples of the water there. Io walked around and gazed at the size of the area. Despite only having one functioning arm, she didn't let that get in the way of her handling heavy objects and climbing trees to get a better view of the surrounding area. The open spaces all around her was still a new thing but she couldn't help but feel excited by it. Ellipsis on the other hand, while enjoying her walk around, kept hearing a distant voice calling her name. It seemed unreal but after all she'd been through it wasn't out of the realm of possibilities. Ellipsis decided to seek out the source of the voice. The voice seemed to becoming from the direction of the large tree with the pink leaves. As Ellipsis made her way over there she was accompanied by Jane and Io who were curious about the tree as well.
As they got close to the tree Ellipsis reached out her hand to touch the tree and suddenly felt a shock of pain on her back. Ellipsis froze in front of the tree. It was a sharp pain and it seemed to spread across her back, down her legs and through her arms. As it reached the back of her head she cried out in pain. Jane and Io examined Ellipsis and immediately saw golden streaks through her shirt on her back, starting from the center, stretching all across her body. Jane was about to take Ellipsis back to the ship when suddenly a figure appeared out of nowhere and struck Jane in the face with the butt of a long range rifle. The figure wore a hood over their head and a mask to conceal its face. It was carrying a rifle that was covered in foliaged. Io was about to take a swing at the figure but was shot in the stomach. A dart with a red feather stuck out of Io's chest as she fell back on the ground, unable to move.
Ellipsis already on the ground writhing in pain; quickly rolled over to face her attacker. The figure looked over at Ellipsis. There was a brief pause and the figure whispered a single word.
"Nyssia…?" The figure said as it leaned in on Ellipsis's face. Ellipsis didn't hear the word; she was preoccupied with the burning sensation on her back. The figure reached out and grabbed a hold of Ellipsis chin and moved her head side to side.
"So similar, almost identical..." The figure said as they stood up and backed away from Ellipsis. At this point the pain had subsided enough that Ellipsis was able to stand up herself. She quickly looked to her friends. In that moment the figure removed their mask, revealing their face to Ellipsis.
It was the face of an old woman. She had dark skin and white hair. Her eyes looked like she had seen a hundred battles in her lifetime and had grown tired of it. She starred at Ellipsis with a compassionate smile. Ellipsis was about to say something but suddenly the old woman placed her finger on Ellipsis mouth.
"Shhh…. Your friends are going to be okay. They are just resting." The old woman said in a quiet tone with a smile.
"Forgive my action, but it has been so long since I've seen another soul here I didn't know if you were hostile or not." The old woman said as she removed her hood.
"So why did you stop?" Ellipsis asked. The old woman just looked at Ellipsis and then said.
"It was the tree my dear. It seems that they tree knows you. The pain you felt was a mark left by the tree. And this tree doesn't leave its mark on anyone. Just the ones it knows." The old woman said as she placed her rifle down. Ellipsis looked at the old woman and then looked back at the tree. Something about the tree felt off. Ellipsis had a feeling this was no ordinary tree and the pain she just felt reminded her of something.
"You seem lost child, come. Let's talk." The old woman said as she reached out and gently grabbed Ellipsis hand and pulled her down on the ground.
"My name is Tanya and I've lived here for the past fifty years. I've seen many people come and go, some brandishing weapons and some bearing gifts. What is your name child?" Tanya asked in a kind voice.
"Ellipsis Tannin..." Ellipsis replied as she looked over at Jane and Io. It seemed that Io was still awake but couldn't move and Jane was unconscious. Tanya reached into her bag that she had on her back and pulled out some pieces of bread.
"Here child, you should eat something." Tanya said as she handed Ellipsis the pieces of bread. Ellipsis took the pieces of bread and started to eat it. It has been a while since she had actual food and not tomato paste or a bowl of weird soup. This was actual food that she held in her hands and it was amazing. The tree beside them started to give off a hum.
"So what's with the tree?" Ellipsis asked as she looked at the tree and then back to Tanya. To Ellipsis the tree felt like it was staring at her and she couldn't shake the feeling of its presence.
"Why don't you ask it yourself?" Tanya said as she pulled out a tea cup and a canister of hot water from her bag. Ellipsis looked back at the tree. Ellipsis stood up and walked slowly over to the tree, expecting the pain to return. But it didn't. Ellipsis reached out her hand and gently pressed it against the bark of the tree. The tree felt warm to the touch. It started to hum again. Ellipsis could feel a vibration under her hand. Then she heard the sound of bark snapping. Ellipsis backed away a few feet as the base of the tree started to transform. From the sides of the tree, arms sprouted out and a face was molded on the tree and soon a head emerged from the tree. Its eyes opened with a white glare and stared at Ellipsis. A moment later the figure pulled itself from the tree and stood right in front of Ellipsis. It had a feminine figure with long hair. The wood it was made of was smooth as glass and shinned in the sun.
"Child lost in time, I knew you would come." The figure spoke to Ellipsis. Ellipsis was taken back by the sight and remained silent.
"There is darkness rising. I've felt its presence. This world is in terrible danger." The figure spoke.
"The Umbral Sphere…" Ellipsis said. The figure looked at Ellipsis and smiled.
"I believe you've met my counterpart in the Umbral Sphere. He gave you the Black Mirror." The figure said.
"Counterpart…? Then you must be the wizard of the Photonic Sphere." Ellipsis said.
"You are correct young one; I am the Guardian of the Photonic Sphere. And I must ask you for your assistance as my counterpart have asked of you." The Guardian said. Ellipsis gave the Guardian a curious look. She knew it would be related to the Black Mirror but didn't know exactly what was to be done.
"The Black Mirror has been brought into this world and has been abused in this world as well as the next. It needs to be destroyed. Unfortunately no man made weapon can do it. For that you must have a non-man made weapon; the Dagger of Rah." The Guardian said.
Suddenly it all came back to Ellipsis. The pain of the dagger being inserted into her back, the warm light she felt, the breaking of her flesh and bones and suddenly Death's embrace. Ellipsis took a few steps back.
"Hey, there has to be another way. I don't want to touch that thing again." Ellipsis said in a panic tone.
"Fear not lost one, for you have been reborn again in light and not in shadow. Though your soul has been tainted, the dagger will not harm you." The Guardian said as she waved her hand. Then from the base of the tree a bright yellow light burst through and a golden curved handle emerged.
"Take the dagger, destroy the Black Mirror and seal the gates between this world and the world of shadow forever." The Guardian said as it stepped out of the way. Ellipsis starred at the dagger's handle as it protruded from the tree. It was a weird feeling. She remembered the first time she laid eyes upon it. It was when she was still a queen. The servants of the undead had been digging in the desert for five years searching for a relic that could be used against her and her empire. The scholars told her at the time that the Dagger of Rah was a divine relic of the Photonic Sphere and if they could get their hands on it and secure it, no one would be able to stop the Umbral Sphere from consuming the Photonic Sphere. Ellipsis walked up to the dagger and grabbed a hold of its handle. It had a warm feel to it, as if it was alive. As she pulled it out the curved golden blade shinned in the sun.
"Child I must warn you. Be careful, for destroying the Black Mirror could have disastrous consequences." The Guardian said. Ellipsis looked back at her confused.
"How so...?" Ellipsis said as she examined the dagger in her hand.
"If one of the objects is destroyed the other will be destroyed as well. There must always be a balance. The Black Mirror houses within the power of time and darkness while the Dagger of Rah houses within it the power of life and light. Should these two be destroyed the power unleashed from both would be enormous. I do not know what will happen to you my dear, but I can sense you are living on borrowed time." The Guardian said as it lowered its head in shame. This was defiantly not the kind of news that Ellipsis had wanted to hear. After everything that she has been through, everything that she has done; here was the result of it. Ellipsis looked as if she was about to cry, she clutched the dagger in her hand. Ellipsis lowered her head as a single tear rolled down her face.
"There's no other way is there?" Ellipsis said with a melancholy tone. The Guardian stared back at Ellipsis and shook her head.
"I'm afraid not. If the Umbral Sphere were to consume the Photonic Sphere, darkness and shadow would reign over these lands for all eternity. You already have seen that occur in your timeline." The Guardian said. Ellipsis perked her head back up.
"Yeah…" Ellipsis said as she put her head back down. There was nothing left for her to do or say. She had seen what had happened before and she knew what it took to end it. And now, after all this time, it seems like everything was starting back up again. But this time she has a chance to end it everlastingly. To make things right again. If the gateway was to be sealed, then the forces of the Umbral Sphere could never come back to the Photonic Sphere. And maybe things can start over. But something else had occurred to Ellipsis.
"Where are my friends?" Ellipsis asked the Guardian. The Guardian looked at Ellipsis and smiled.
"Fear not, your friends are safe. You will see them again." The Guardian said as it walked towards the tree and suddenly burst into a hundred fireflies and flew away. Ellipsis at this point didn't know whether to believe it or not. That was what the wizard of the Umbral Sphere had said. Tanya for the entire time this was going on was making herself a cup of tea and quietly drinking it.
"You seem to have quite the task ahead of you child." Tanya said as she took another sip of her tea.
"Yeah…God I wish I had some booze." Ellipsis said with a sigh.
It wasn't long before Jane woke up and Io was able to move. After Tanya explained her position to both Jane and Io tensions between them seemed to ease down. Io was still mad about Jane getting hit and sat in between Tanya and Jane. As the sun sat the group discussed what was left to be done. Both Jane and Io thought the whole idea was pure suicide. Tanya and Ellipsis agreed but the alternative would mean the end of the Photonic Sphere as they knew it. For some time they decided that the only solution was to go back and destroy the Black Mirror.
It was a long night for them. They knew what they were getting themselves into and they were all scared in their own way. Tanya helped them set up an old fashion campsite and taught Jane and Io how to make fire using dried up leaves and sticks. It was a nice distraction from the task they had upon them and they all cherished each other's company more now than they did before. They all gathered around the campfire that Jane and Io made with food and water. Io even brought out the ale that Ridley had given to her and passed it around to everyone.
Ellipsis told stories of the Jane and Io she knew and even went on to mention the rest of the friends she had waiting for her in more detail. It was at this point when she mentioned Nyssia, that Tanya perked her head.
"Tell me about Nyssia. Did she have red hair and a devilish smile?" Tanya asked. Ellipsis pause her stories for a moment and looked at Tanya.
"Yeah…she did…How did you know that?" Ellipsis asked. Maybe she knows where Nyssia is in this timeline. Tanya sat in silence and turned her head towards the fire. Tanya reached into her pocket and pulled out a smooth black stone. In the center was a large T carved into it.
"She was a good friend of mine. She made this for me a long time ago. We traveled for a while out here. There were moments where it was just the two of us and we slept under the stars more times than I can count. She died one day. Bullet passed through her throat. I buried her with my own hands…" Tanya said in a dismal tone. As she thought more of her friend the tighter she squeeze the stone in her hand; until finally she let it go and a tear rolled down her face.
"It was a very long time ago." Tanya said as she concluded her tale and wiped away her tears.
"Anyway, if you are serious about fighting this army of darkness, then I would like to aid you in your task." Tanya said with a smile. Jane and Io looked at each other and then back at Ellipsis with concerned looks.
"Are you sure you'll be able to handle yourself up there?" Jane asked. Tanya looked back at her and gave her a grin.
"Heh, old soldiers are hard to kill. We don't go away so easily. This one here knows what I am talking about." Tanya said as turned towards Ellipsis. Ellipsis only looked back. Tanya had a point, old soldiers die hard. It wasn't long before they group fell asleep underneath the stars. Everyone was fast asleep, everyone except Ellipsis. She had a lot of things on her mind. She wondered if she will return. She wondered if this would be the last time she'll look up and see the stars. She wondered where her friends were and if they were okay. Somewhere out there, spinning around in the blackness of space was the gateway to the Umbral Sphere and where Joffrey would be waiting. Ellipsis laid back and watched the stars above her. If this was to be the end, at least she would go with her friends by her side. That much put a smile on her face as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.