I walk back to the library. The seal on my hand... Taking Nathaniel's power for myself has no benefit. The curse that he placed on me... I don't know what it means. My healing isn't affected, but there's a downside somewhere.

  The vision I had after resurrecting Nathaniel... Does his power change me? Could helping him master his ability hurt me? If I break the binding, what would happen? Not knowing is suffocating.

  I don't want to meander anymore, but it feels like there's no right choice. If I act, someone gets hurt. If I don't, the same.

  Jackson and Lucas whisper at Barthelemy's side. Jackson runs his fingers through Lucas's hair. Lucas hangs on Jackson's waist. They look happy.

  Why did I bring them? What if something happens? Their deaths will be on my hands.

  Melody leans against a table. Her eyes trace a map. Book in her hand. I touch her shoulder. She flinches.

  I scan... "What are you thinking?"

  She points to Sector T. "Someone attacked a lab here."

  That's where we're going next... "Is anything salvageable?" The Sentients might have cleared it.

  Melody straightens up and crosses her arms. "Doubtful. Sector T doesn't see a lot of action these days. The Sentients don't bother with it. Whoever attacked knew that."

  She's standing different. There's something in her eyes... "What did they do there?"

  Melody shakes her head. "I don't know, but whatever they did must have angered someone. The alarms went off for several minutes, then the facility lost power. They knew what they were doing."

  My gut clenches. "Sounds like revenge."

  She shrugs. "Maybe... But this place is isolated. It's not very big. If someone wanted revenge there'd be a pattern."

  I touch a valley on the map.

  Melody shifts. "Their armies outnumber us. We can't fight them all. If you're planning to go to war, then you need to recruit more people."

  I shut my eyes. "The people have suffered enough. It's time to end this..."

  She leans in. "How?"

  I stare at the valley. "Information doesn't work against Nebula. She won't come out unless we coax her. We'll need an Axehead."

  Her eyes widen. "You want to capture a... There's no guarantee she'll respond!"

  I smirk. "Towards the end of my reign, Nebula was pushed back into 50 sectors. I had the upper hand! She released those Axeheads... Who knows how many there are now?"

  Melody shakes her head. "There could be hundreds! They'd wipe us out!"

  My head tilts. "I don't think so... They're... Monarchs... They each have a number of abilities which is rare."

  She huffs. "You said she had a machine that could alter DNA. What if she creates them?"

  I hum. "That's what I thought, but I don't think they were originally involved. They seem older. More experienced. She might have enhanced what was already there."

  Melody taps the book. "The Axeheads and Nebula were..." She looks away. "...involved with Theodore."

  What? I glance at her hand. "Nebula?"

  Her grip tightens. "This journal talks about them...and you. Did you know that you were once friends with Nebula?"

  I shiver. "No."

  Melody offers it to me. I shake my head. She sighs. "You and Theodore were close."

  I turn around. What else does it say?

  She sets the book down. "I think that... I know that you're trying to protect everyone. Nebula might be doing that too."

  My fists clench. "She uses people! How's that protection?"

  Melody sighs. "What if she's trying to stop something from happening?"

  What would she be trying to...

  Melody moves closer. "What if the reason you can't remember is because you didn't want to?"

  Why would I do that?

  She looks at the map. "I think your past is what led to her creating the machine. I think...you...are one of her experiments."

  My chest tightens. "That's..." I can't breathe. Me? No! I throw the table. "It's impossible!"

  Melody hangs her head. "I think it's true. Whatever deal you made with her... It could be the reason she hasn't killed you."

  I glare at her. "You don't know what you're talking about!"

  She huffs. "You're going to have to confront this part of yourself." She hugs her arms. "I won't be around forever and I can't...help you do that." Her nails sink into her skin. "I just want you to move on with life."

  What does that mean?

  Tears form in her eyes. "Please, try."

  Neptune sits on a ledge. He watches people move below. Veronica drops onto his back. "Why all the gloom?"

  He blinks. "I'm scared to see him again."

  Veronica hugs his neck. "I know what you mean. It's been too long. I had to fight the urge to throw myself into his arms."

  Neptune shudders. "Don't say that! She might be listening!"

  Veronica laughs and kisses his cheek. "Relax, Tune! She's busy in Z3."

  He jolts. "Brim..."

  Veronica breathes. "Wonder if she's still alive. She's been in that tunnel since Theodore..." She touches her throat.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  He pats her arm. "She's alive."

  Veronica wipes her eye. "You're just saying that."

  Neptune turns around. "I see her with us when we face him."

  Veronica hugs his arm. "With everyone together again, it'll be like old times."

  He grunts. "Not without Theodore."

  Veronica squeezes. "I miss him."

  Neptune nods. "Me too."

  She sits up and touches her mouth. "I'm sorry. I forgot that..."

  He smiles. "It was before he... It's in the past."

  She cries. "Why didn't I stop him?"

  Neptune hugs her. "You didn't know."

  Tears roll down her face. "I did! I knew what he was going to do... And I helped her... Now everyone's... It's all wrong!"

  He rubs her shoulder. "We've all done things, Vera. Things we can't undo. We have to keep going forward...for him."

  Veronica nods.

  Byrd watches them and tilts his head. "Wussies..." He turns and steps off the building.

  Theresa, Micheal, and Greene walk down the street.

  Theresa laughs. "Did you see her face? She looked so happy!"

  Micheal snickers. "She couldn't tell what it was!"

  Greene pats his back. "You did great! It looked like a real fish!"

  Micheal smiles. "Thanks, dad!"

  Byrd lands in front of them. They jump. He grins. "Been a week." He flicks his lighter. "Find her?"

  Micheal clings to his father. Greene looks at Theresa. "Do you know each other?"

  Theresa gulps. "I... I'm with my family."

  Byrd eyes Micheal. "Cute kid!"

  Theresa flinches and moves in front of them. "She's in Z3!"

  Byrd clicks his lighter. "With Zachariah..." He sighs and pulls out a pack of cigarettes. "Want one?"

  Theresa shakes her head. "I don't know when she'll be back."

  He shrugs and pops one in his mouth. "Doesn't matter. We know where they're headed." He lights the cigarette and blows smoke at her. "You can track someone across the continent." His eyes shimmer. "How'd you like a job?"

  Greene grabs Theresa's arm. "Beat it, pal!"

  Byrd glares. "You must be the husband." He puffs. "You're an excellent carpenter!" He breathes. "Wonder what your ability is."

  Micheal growls. "You don't wanna find out!"

  Byrd chuckles. "Kids got some balls!" He pockets his lighter. "You did good work, Theresa. I'll keep in touch." He saunters off.

  Theresa clutches her chest and trembles. Micheal takes her hand. "Mom? Who was that?"

  She watches him leave. "I don't know."

  Greene glances between Theresa and Byrd. "Are you tracking Zachariah for him?"

  She shakes her head. "His friend from the other day."

  Greene raises a brow. "What does he want with her?"

  Theresa digs in her pocket and pulls out her phone. "I need to..." She sways. "Need to call Zach..." She collapses.

  We walk through the temple. Metal walls appear. Blue. Murky. Plain blue metal floors.

  Hyme nods. "This way.”

  We walk down a metal staircase. Water falls along the walls. Lanterns scatter. Long metal columns.

  Jackson sings. "Look at this place!" He runs to a wall of water. "It's magnificent!"

  Lucas smiles. "Nice to see him enjoying himself."

  Melody has a stern expression. "It's just water."

  We stop at a large door. Hyme steps aside. "Where you go from here is up to you."

  I bow. "Thank you." I reach for Nathaniel.

  She swats my hands away. "Uh-uh! The child remains with me until you return."

  I chuckle. "You sure?"

  Hyme rubs his hand. "Oh yes! His power grows by the second. The things in there will seek it out."

  I hand her my backpack. "Take care of him."

  She grins and walks away.

  Melody stares. "What's on the other side?"

  Jackson touches the door. "How do we open it?"

  Lucas checks Barthelemy. "I think he's waking up!" Barthelemy twitches. "We don't have much time."

  My hand presses against the door. It groans. The temple rattles.

  I cover my nose. "Be prepared."

  The others cough and gag. Lucas whines. "What's that smell?"

  Just passed the door are bones. Beyond that is darkness. We take lanterns and climb over the remains.

  Melody breathes through her mouth. "Why are there so many?"

  Jackson and I clear a path. Lucas monitors Barthelemy. It takes hours to get through them all.

  I stare at a small skull. "Sometimes people get left behind. Others wander too far and can't find their way back."

  Lucas picks up a bone. "These are teeth marks!" He drops it. "What's in these tunnels?"

  I look ahead. "Humans..."

  Al’Tivolo Phyfa, Journal 1, Entry 1

  "The Underworld felt like a different kind of hell. One that never leaves you. You'll feel eyes watching your every step, but if you shine a light they disappear. Sound carries for miles and you can't tell if what you hear is far or near."

  Scouts talk into their headsets. Nebula trots between them. A ball of light in her hand. Cries echo from behind.

  A scout whispers through their helmet. "Did that sound close?"

  Another scout stares down the tunnel. "Wherever it is... It's not one of ours."

  Nebula smirks. "Margraves are shape-shifters. They'll take the form of anyone." She laughs. "Best to kill those who were left behind."

  They approach a set of bones. A scout squats. "These are too far from Plyz. No signs of cannibalism. Bones intact."

  Nebula hums. "Look around." Her eyes swept the walls. "The rocks will tell a story."

  The scouts spread out.

  "It looks like they were hiding. There's traces of blood here."

  "I found supplies! Blankets, clothes, and equipment."

  Nebula scoffs. "Primitive devices."

  "Over here!"

  They gather. A word is carved on a long flat stone. Nebula stares. "Brimstone." Her light shrinks.

  She leads the scouts. Her skin prickles. Eyes chasing shadows. "We're getting close!"

  They come to a wall. Nebula's brow twitches. She punches it down. The scouts shriek, but the tunnel doesn't collapse.

  Nebula enters a chamber. Her light flickers. "We're here." She steps forward and gasps...

  Statues of various species fill the chamber. The scouts inspect them. Nebula places a hand on one, then steps back. "Don't touch them!" She looks at other statues that appear to be inspecting others. "They're cursed!"

  The scouts stay close to her.

  She hums. "Wait here..."

  On the far left wall sits a shrine. Honey-colored stones and giant brown agate columns with scale-like patches. Seven black even steps. Nebula walks to the center of the shrine. A tall statue... She floats up to examine it.

  Two heads. One with a snarl and cold, piercing eyes. The other has pointed teeth, long whiskers, and a tongue hanging from its snout. It wears a set of armour with an insignia on the breastplate. Giant fur covered claws. 6 bare feet.

  She chuckles. "Found you."

  Nebula floats down. A large smooth tunnel between the feet of the statue. Nebula kneels and places her head to the stone. "It's been a long time, my friend."

  She picks herself up and walks toward the tunnel. Stones glow beneath her feet. The statue's eyes looked down on her as she steps closer to the entrance. A horn bellows from the tunnel. Nebula shivers, then glances back. The statues moved to the steps.

  Nebula snickers. "Always were one for dramatic effect!"

  She walks into the narrowing path. Her skin drips with sweat. Hands in front. Panting.

  Whispers flood her ears. A hand grabs her wrist. A tongue licks her cheek. Nebula reaches into the dark. “I know you’re in here!” Her hand grasps something cold. She commands her hand. “Free yourself!” She pulls on the object and a blinding light pours into the tunnel.

  ”It’s okay… You can open your eyes.”

  Nebula gasps and sits up.

  A field of white flowers.

  ”Do you remember who you are?”

  She looks around. “Where am I?”

  ”Do you remember this place?”

  She stands. “Who are you?”

  Something black moves in the corner of her eye. She whips around. “Show yourself!”

  ”This is eternity.”

  Nebula trembles. “Theodore?”

  Laughter.

  She swallows and turns. “Is that you?”

  ”Lost in bliss and numb to pain.”

  Nebula looks up. A black figure hovers overhead. She pleads. “Let me help you!”

  The black stretches over the white. “I don’t need your help!”

  Flowers turn jagged. Vines wrap around her. Thorns gash her skin. She screams, then she’s pulled into the ground.

  Her eyelids flutter. “Theodore?” She groans and picks herself up.

  A crystal floats above a white pool. Inside is the silhouette of a body. She swims to it. “Theodore!” She reaches up and bangs her fist. “I’m going to get you out of there!”

  Tentacles extend from the pool. Black. Slithering. She cries. “Please! Let me help you!” She reaches out. “It’s me! Nebula!” The tentacles screech and retract. She pants. “Do you remember?” The crystal cracks. “We used to… You used to play in the garden.” Another crack. “With Veronica…” Crack. “You used to read books to…to Neptune!” Shatter.

  Nebula gasps. “Brimstone!”

  "Dubascht is thought to be the first city humans established. Little is known about the humans who built it and why they left nothing behind aside from giant murals of the events that led them there. They depict a lioness with three tails, six legs, and two heads.

  One head shows the lioness while the other appears to be human. Another mural of a star falling down onto Heaven which caused massive destruction. A woman gave the humans some kind of knowledge. And, then there is the mural that has chipped away over the years. Lava flooding the tunnels and the lioness trying to save them.

  A final mural... The lioness died saving the humans from the lava that would have consumed the entire city. It is not known what they did with the body though I presume they embalmed her. However, there is a chance this might not have been lava, but some kind of light or a weapon used by invaders."

  Al'Tivolo Phyfa, Journal 1, Entry 2