Chapter 167 The Burden Hardest to Bear Part 1
Weeks pass and Christmas is getting close. The Rangers are very much enjoying the peace they have waited so long for, and so is Jeremy.. He's happy he doesn't have to sit at his computer all day analyzing this and that.
At Terra Falls High school after school hours to be exact.. Nakia is walking into study hall wearing a pair of yellow jeans, a white fluffy looking sweater, and a pair of black boots. She spots Zelda and Kimberly sitting at a table near the far corner on the left side, so she decides to go over to them.. By the way, Zelda is wearing blue jeans, a pink blouse that buttons from the back, and white sneakers.. Kimberly has on black pants, a white sweater with a blue and pink rose design in the center and white sneakers.
Nakia says to them as soon as she pulls a chair from under the table.
Nakia-Hey!
They look at her and respond.
Zelda-Hey Nakia.
Kimberly-What's up?
Nakia sits down and puts her book bag beside her chair.
Nakia-Oh the same thing that's up with almost everybody in this school. Preparing for finals.
Zelda-I hear that.
Kimberly-Kind of sucks doesn't it?
Zelda-Why? Everybody knew this time was coming anyway.
Kimberly-Hmm.. Yeah.
Nakia-At least we have nothing else to worry about now.
Kimberly nods and smiles.
Kimberly-Oh yeah.. Total freedom to finally live our lives.
Zelda-Yeah. Just wish Chris would hurry up.
Nakia asks.
Nakia-Who's Chris?
Zelda-A guy I'm going to help with his project.
Nakia-Oh?
Zelda-Yeah, he kept on saying it was a burden to him.
Nakia-A Burden?
Zelda-Yeah, but that was before I agreed to help.
Nakia-Oh I see.
Zelda-Basically I said I'd help to stop him from saying it's a burden that he probably won't get through. Second reason is he's cute. Oh and the third reason is I really won't be that busy after realizing the only thing I have to do is study for the final and not practice any lines for any plays that were cancelled by Mrs. Lobar..
Nakia-Yikes.. You okay with that?
Zelda-No. because I thought I'd be able to show off my acting skills. And then she calls the whole thing off because she has to go fly somewhere.
Nakia-There'll be other times Zelda.
Zelda-I guess.
They all get down to work.. Zelda stops reading through her history book when someone taps her on the shoulder.. She looks behind her to see a really handsome looking guy.. He has short dirty blonde hair, a mustache and goatee.. He stands at 5'8, he has a medium muscular build and as I mentioned before, is really handsome. He's wearing a blue t shirt, blue jeans and black sneakers. She says in a slight shock.
Zelda-Oh, hi Chris.
Nakia and Kimberly look to see who's Zelda's speaking too..
And before they are able to say anything.. Zelda says.
Zelda-Chris, this is Nakia and Kim… my best friends.
They all say hi to each other. He then turns his attention back to Zelda.
Chris-You ready to go?
Zelda-Yeah, just let me gather up my things.. Okay?
Chris-Okay I'll be waiting outside.
The opportunity for comments comes as soon as Chris leaves the Study Hall area. Kimberly says.
Kimberly-Oh my god.. He's so cute.
Zelda-I know.
Nakia-Where exactly are you going?
Zelda responds while she puts her books in her book bag..
Zelda-I'm going to the old abandoned rock quarry to help Chris dig up something important.
Kimberly-Dig up something important?
Zelda-Yeah he needs something really extraordinary for his archeology class.
Nakia-Whoa.. That's his project?
Zelda-Yes.
Nakia-There's an archeology class here in this school?
Zelda-Yeah, its an extra class. Not required or anything.
Nakia-Oh. I didn't know you took that class.
Kimberly asks.
Kimberly-So you really think you'll find something at the old abandoned rock quarry?
Zelda-I hope so.
She gets up from the table and says bye to her friends as she leaves.
Minutes pass, and soon both Chris and Zelda show up at the old abandoned rock quarry.. Chris turns off his car which happens to be a white 96' Sudan. He looks at Zelda and asks.
Chris-You sure this place will have something?
Zelda-I'm pretty sure. But if it doesn't we can always look somewhere else.
Chris-Okay.
They both get out of the car.. Chris takes a shovel out of the backseat.. Now the two walk over to a spot Zelda picks which is kind of far from where Chris' car is parked. She says.
Zelda-I think this spot will be good..
Chris-Alrighty.
Chris plunges the shovel into the spot but doesn't start digging.. Instead he looks at Zelda and asks.
Chris-This isn't illegal is it?
Zelda-What? Digging here? No, of course not.. Just remember to fill it all back up.
Chris-Okay.
He starts to dig..
Back in Study Hall at Terra Falls High.. Ryan comes in wearing blue jeans, a red vest with no under shirt so his chest and arm muscles are really showing, and black sneakers with red lightning bolts on the sides. He spots Nakia and Kimberly so he goes over. Nakia says.
Nakia-Hey honey.
He gives her a hug and sits down..
Nakia-Where you been? You supposed to have been here.
Ryan-I know. I had to run home..
Nakia-Oh.
She notices he didn't bring any books.. So she says.
Nakia-Ryan honey.. You didn't bring any books. You know we have to study for our finals.
Ryan calms her down and says.
Ryan-I know.. I just thought.
He scoots his chair closer to hers and says.
Ryan-I'd share your books with you..
He winks. And Kimberly says.
Kimberly-Ooo I guess I'd better get my butt out of here.
Ryan chuckles and says.
Ryan-No, Kimberly it's okay.
Kimberly-Are you sure? Because I'll leave if I have too.
Nakia laughs a bit.
Nakia-Kim it's fine.. We have a final to study for.
Kimberly-Okay. Just making sure.
Ryan notices Zelda not around.. He asks.
Ryan-Wasn't Zelda supposed to be here?
Nakia-Yeah, she left with Chris..
Ryan-Chris who?
Nakia-Um I don't know his last name.
Kimberly-She didn't tell us.
Ryan-Oh.
Kimberly-She's helping him dig for something at the old abandoned rock quarry.
Ryan-What?
Kimberly-Supposed to be for his archeology class.
Ryan-Oh.
Nakia-Come on, let's get on with the studying.. I want to be home before sundown.
Ryan-Okay babe.
Back to the old abandoned rock quarry..
Chris is digging and I mean fast.. He's already half way down towards the bottom.. He wants to give up though because he hasn't found anything.
Zelda starts to think.. She wonders why did Chris need her help for this because it seems so easy.. And when she asks him, he responds kindly.
Chris-I asked you because I wanted to get to know you more.. You're a pretty girl and I just wanted to know you.
Zelda starts to blush.
Zelda-Well that's nice.. But you know there's a final..
Chris-I know. I'm sorry if I'm delaying you from your studying.
Zelda-No not really. I'm really a fast worker.
Chris is about to say something else.. But the end of his shovel makes a clinging sound.. He says.
Chris-Hey, I think I found something!
Zelda-Good, try to dig it out.
Chris-I am..
He digs a little deeper but what he finds isn't what he really expected.. For large bursts of smoke seeps up and hit him in the face.. He starts to cough and choke.. Zelda asks.
Zelda-Chris, you okay?
He tries to answer but his coughing gets louder and worse.
Zelda notices the smoke and says to him.
Zelda-Chris, get out of there!
Chris drops his shovel and continues to cough because the smoke is getting a tad bit worse.. His eyes start to water due to the intensity, then something rises up on its own along with the rising smoke.. Chris looks at it with his watery eyes then he takes it.. Zelda shouts out from above.
Zelda-Chris, I can't see you! The smoke it getting really heavy! Can you hear me?!
He doesn't respond.. Not even in a cough.. Zelda screams out.
Zelda-CHRIS!? CHRIS!? PLEASE ANSWER ME!
Seconds later, a blast of power forces Chris out.. He ends up on the ground, barely able to breathe.. Zelda leans down and becomes really scared.. She says loudly.
Zelda-Chris! Talk to me, please!
She looks around and sees no one.. She says to herself.
Zelda-I've got to get you out of here.
Eerie voices arise within the newly constructed pit of smoke.
King Kalador-I am King Kalador.
Malodor-I am Malodor.
King Kalador-The one who has touched our hardest burden to bear must now accept its will!
Zelda turns to see two warrior looking specters.. One has a crown on top of his head.. And he's the one pointing and speaking.
King Kalador-He must return to our world.
Zelda gets in front of Chris and says seriously.
Zelda-No! Go back to your own world! Wherever that may be.. You're not going to touch him!
King Kalador-Stand aside underling!
Zelda-Don't call me that!
Malodor, the more older looking specter says in a heavy eerie tone.
Malodor-DO NOT DEFY THE WILL OF THE KING! STAND ASIDE!
King Kalador-The mortal man you wish to save is beyond saving.. His will belongs to our hardest burden to bear.. So do not stand in our way.
Zelda-What do you mean?
King Kalador-He must return with us. He must..
Zelda-No! He doesn't belong in your ghostly world or wherever you come from! You can't just take him.
King Kalador-That is the will of our burden hardest to bear..
Zelda-What do you mean your burden hardest to bear?
King Kalador-We have no time to explain to the likes of you.. We must return with him.
Zelda-NO!
Zelda raises both of her hands and says as they glow pink.
Zelda-GO BACK TO YOUR WORLD, AND LEAVE HIM BE!
A strong powerful wind force arises and blows both specters back into the pit.. Their eerie screaming is heard till the wind disappears.. Zelda puts her hands down and looks back at Chris and sees he's shivering and saying something that she can't really understand.. Well she does understand a little bit, but not much.. She asks after hearing him say.
Zelda-Death… evil? Why is he saying that..
She stops paying attention to those words and takes a hold of him.
Zelda-Don't worry Chris. I'll get you some help.
She turns on her communicator and contacts Jeremy.
Zelda-Jeremy this is Zelda.. Are the healing chambers on?
Jeremy responds.
Jeremy-Yeah, but what's up?
Zelda-You'll find out when I get there.. And have Lightwing come too.
Jeremy-Okay.
Zelda turns off her communicator and instantly teleports herself and Chris away from the ghostly site.. The sounds of eerie screaming coming from below rise up..
King Kalador-Noooo, come back.. We must.. Return with himmm.. It is the will.. Of the burden hardest to bear..
Zelda is now at the old weather station by Chris' side down in the healing chambers.. Lightwing is doing all he can to understand why Chris is feeling the way he is as his body rests upon a large white stone.
He looks at Zelda and asks.
Lightwing-Zelda, what happened exactly?
Zelda-Chris was digging and he hit something.. After that, a lot of smoke started to rise.. I heard him start coughing and choking then after he stopped, his body was pushed out of the hole he dug.. Then two ghosts appeared telling me something about their burden hardest to bear and that they had to take Chris back with them.
Lightwing-Hmm.. It is strange.. Very strange.
Zelda-Tell me about it.. But will he be okay?
Lightwing-It's too early to know for sure.
Zelda-I wish you knew Lightwing.
Lightwing-I will.. In all due time.
Chris' body starts to sweat really badly.. His head starts jerking.. Zelda exclaims.
Zelda-LIGHTWING WHAT'S HAPPENING TO HIM!
Lightwing responds.
Lightwing-I don't know! I don't know!
Chris' eyes open up and start glowing with pure whiteness.. Then words come out of his mouth and they are.
Chris-War.. Death. Death.. Death! Burden.. Death.. War! Captured! Must.. Be. Free!
Now his body settles down after he jerks his head one last time. Zelda says frantically.
Zelda-We've got to do something Lightwing! Can't you cast a spell on him to make him feel better?
Lightwing-I will do all that I can do.. But I think he's touched the burden of the spirit world.
Zelda-What burden?
Lightwing-From what he says.. Their burden of war..
Zelda-Burden of war? How can the dead have a war? They're dead for crying out loud!
Lightwing-Zelda.. War of the dead can mean many things.. Spirits can be captured within realms that will not let them go..
Zelda-You mean they might be trapped?
Lightwing-Yes. They might be trapped within a realm.. And if that is so.. They must be fighting to win their freedom so that they will be at peace.
Zelda-If that's true.. Why do they want Chris?
Lightwing-I don't know for sure.. Did Chris touch anything? I mean was there anything besides the smoke and the ghosts?
Zelda-I..
She thinks really hard. After a minute she remembers what King Kalador said.
Zelda-One of them told me.. Chris touched their hardest burden to bear..
Lightwing-Hmmm. Then that sums it up.
Zelda-What does it mean?
Lightwing-It means.. Chris is now linked to their world. And their burden.. Has become his.
Zelda-No!
Lightwing-Yes.. It's true.. It makes sense to me now.
Zelda-How can we break that link?
Lightwing-I don't know yet. But I will find out.
Zelda sighs in frustration..
All of her friends show up after about 15 minutes.. They come into the healing chambers.. And immediately Zelda explains the whole situation to them.. Lightwing chants words that will create a magical spell, he stops in the middle and says to everyone.
Lightwing-Rangers.. You must go to the site.. Find what the mortal Chris touched and if you can, bring it to me.. I will continue my work here.
They all nod in agreement.. Zelda says to Chris.
Zelda-Hang on Chris. We won't let you down.
They all teleport out of the healing chambers as everything fades to black..