Part One of a Strange Twist of Fate

8/8/2019 Part One of a Strange Twist of Fate

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A STRANGE TWIST OF FATE

by

Vincent Gilvarry

Published by: Vincent Gilvarry

Copyright 2010 Vincent Gilvarry

PART ONE

Chapter 1

The Silhouette

Adrik and Diego were lost in thought, peering

vacantly into the fathomless Abyss as their shuttle sailed

silently towards the transport terminal in the distance.

The Abyss was an ever-present reality in their life, a

realm of shadows and mystery, a never-ending ocean of

absolute nothingness, nestling within the timelessdomain known as the Khavala. The Abyss was the heart

centre of their world, as beautiful as it was dangerous,

but it was never to be taken lightly. It surrounded Vela-

Rishan, glistening like a precious jewel in the morning

light, but below the surface it was a barren and empty

wasteland haunted by the phantoms of lost souls.

One of the many passengers travelling on this

vessel was a tall woman in long black veils. Lezula was

travelling alone as she always did, but today she did so

for a somewhat different reason; she had a vested interest

in the two boys sitting down the far end of the shuttle.

She had made it her business to study them a little more

closely over the last hour. Normally, she would not have

been so intrusive, but this was a necessity, for a number

of reasons.


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She had never seen two less likely companions;

they were so different in every way. The boy with dark

hair, for example, was quiet and pensive. She knew next

to nothing about the habits of young boys, but she

thought it unusual for one to have a book in his hands,

even if it was electronic. As for his friend, if hisappearance was anything to go by, he was a different

story altogether. He had an unusual but interesting face

even so; it was almost comical to some degree and, as

for his spiky blond hair, well, there had to a story behind

that as well.

Lezula knew more about these kids than they

knew about themselves. She had been following their

progress over the last few years, but this was the first

time she had ever been so close. She would reveal

herself in her own good time, but for reasons of her own,

she had chosen a seat in which she could observe themquietly, but from a reasonable distance.

Under normal circumstances, Adrik might have

noticed her and even commented on her appearance, but

at that particular moment, he was oblivious to

everything, absorbed by the serenity and majesty of the

infinitely mysterious Abyss. When he did eventually

surface, his first question took Diego a little by surprise.

Whats an armadillo? he said unexpectedly.

Its a mammal of some sort, Diego replied, the

armour-plated variety, I think. Why do you want to

know?

I had a very weird and disturbing dream about

one, Adrik said mysteriously.


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Adrik had been un-naturally quiet for the last half

hour and, to Diegos mind, that was often a precursor to

yet another enigma. Diego had been half expecting to

hear something, maybe even an update on his latest

inter-dimensional adventure, but he had not expected a

question like this.An armadillo, said Diego, theyre completely

harmless, as far as I know.

Well, this one wasnt, said Adrik. It was

stalking me. Every time I looked around, there it was

again.

It was one of those moments when Diego was

lost for words. He waited patiently, expecting him to

share just a little more of his latest discovery, but Adrik

had retreated into his own private world.

And, is that it? said Diego.

Its hard to say, said Adrik the whole thing waslike some horrible nightmare, but only worse.

Worse means what, in this case? said Diego.

Well, you know what its like in a nightmare,

he said, when the brotherhood creep up on you in the

middle of the night; you try to escape, but you cant.

Your legs wont move and every time you turn around,

there they are again.

The brotherhood was last years obsession; this

year it was his on-going belief that they were highly

advanced beings from another civilisation. Hardly a day

went by when he didnt try to bamboozle Diego with one

thing or another.

Diego knew this routine off by heart. Adrik

would drift off into some unchartered universe to search


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out yet another perplexing mystery, but he always had

one more thing to say.

Its out there, somewhere, he said in a strange

but knowing way, Im sure of it, D, and its just waiting

to pounce.

Okay, said Diego, Ill take your word for it.

Adriks world was like that, an endless library of

unfinished stories, fantastic things hed seen from afar

but never really understood. Adrik was a dreamer; he

coasted along with his head in the clouds, collecting

titbits from galaxies far and wide and anything was

possible with an imagination like his.

Diego was his opposite in almost every way. His

was a life of self-enforced rules and regulations.

Structure and order suited some people and he just

happened to be of them. He was comfortable with theidea that his daily routine was always planned down to

the very last detail. Adrik on the other hand was a free-

wheeling agent of his own design and depending on the

moment, he did whatever came into his head.

Within the year, they would both be turning

fifteen, they had barely anything in common and apart

from the fact that they were almost inseparable, there

was no worldly reason why they should even be friends,

but life in its own peculiar way had turned out to be

somewhat different.

If appearance had anything to do with it, Diego

should have been the eternal optimist; he had inherited a

wealth of good looks from both sides of his family, a

rich olive complexion and deep brown eyes from his


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mothers side and chestnut brown hair from his fathers.

He often caught the eye of many girls of his age, but it

was only until recently that he even became aware of it.

Adriks lean appearance and athletic prowess

might have had something to do with the fact that he

could barely sit still for ten minutes at a time, but he washardly undernourished; his mother had always seen to

that. In one of his kinder moments, Diego had said that

he was possessed by the devil of over-stimulation. As

Adrik pointed out, that was a bonus in his case; that

particular character was a personal friend of his and he

was more than happy to be in such distinguished

company.

Unlike Adrik, who had a passing interest in

almost everything, Diego had no interest at all in his

appearance. On an impulse, Adrik had decided to wear

something a little more fashionable for this venture.Rather than traditional Rishani travelling clothes, which

were robes of the finest possible fabric, he had chosen a

pair of roll down, buckled-sided boots, tight-fitting pants

and a jacket decorated with blue metal studs. Except for

his bungled attempts to straighten his hair, which had a

natural perversity to curl up all by itself, he almost

looked human

Adrik might have had his faults, but Diego never

underestimated his ability to pull a rabbit out of a hat in

an emergency. His efforts in this case had been one of

his classics. It had taken some thought and just a little

persuasion, but he eventually convinced his parents that

they were both well overdue for a holiday.


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In Adriks mind, Arinyah was one of the most

beautiful destinations in the realm, it was a city as

ancient as time itself, but it wasnt the architectural

landscape that he was interested in. Arinyah might have

been the star in the crown of the realm, a holiday

destination for the rich and famous, but, as he hadrecently discovered, it catered for a few other people as

well.

La Kata was a small but interesting island off the

eastern coast of Sabinica, the hometown of Adriks

father. Every year for the last five years they had been

shunted off to the family farm to spend the school

holidays with old Aunt Finoola. La Kata wasnt such a

bad place for a holiday, but they never got to see that

much of it. They spent most of their time slaving away in

her overgrown garden, battling it out with prickly plants

and weeds until they expired from exhaustion. It wasntthe thought of old aunt Finoola that Adrik didnt like; it

was that monstrous, uncontrollable garden.

He might have thought nothing more about it if it

hadnt crept into his dreams and turned into his worst

nightmare. It had been the same routine for weeks on

end. Adrik was out there in the blazing sun, wearing

little else other than a pair of tattered old shorts; slashing

away at one plant after another and ripping them out by

their roots, but every time he looked around, theyre they

were again. Night after night, it was the exactly same

routine, but the last time it happened was the worst night

of all. The very thought of going to sleep and grappling

with those things was more than Adrik could face. If this

was a fight to the death, he wasnt about to lose; he was

determined that a garden full of man-eating plants wasnt


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going to get the better of him. Before he crawled into

bed on that last fateful night, he concealed a long-

handled knife under his pillow and prepared himself for

battle.

Ill show you whos in charge! he whispered.

He woke in the early hours of the morning,gasping for breath and tearing at the sheets that had

become entangled around his neck. When he saw the

shredded remains of his favourite pillow scattered

around the bedroom, that was the last straw as far as he

was concerned; he never wanted to see another garden in

his entire life.

Ill go anywhere, he said defiantly, but I am

not going back there. I refuse to spend two months of my

life in that slave labour camp, ever again.

Adrik had a variety of options in his arsenal andhe was determined to bargain his way into one of them.

What about a month or two with the Order of

Irregular Mystics, he said to his parents.

A school for the spiritually advanced, said Mr.

Sharano, I dont think so. Theyd know better than to

take you on.

Well, how about The Island at the Edge of the

World, he said somewhat tentatively.

Not a chance, said his mother, a place like that

is far too dangerous for children.

Adrik was prepared to carry on like this all day if

he had to, but he had already made his decision, he knew

exactly where he wanted to go.

Okay, he said, a little apprehensively, how

about the Yumi Summer Camp in Arinyah.


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Now, thats an excellent idea, said his father,

that could be just the thing for a boy like you.

A holiday camp on the northern shores of

Arinyah was the perfect choice for a kid like Adrik; this

was an idea on which Mr Sharano was willing to

negotiate.That is a wonderful solution, said his mother,

why didnt we think of that earlier?

Dont know, said Adrik, it just didnt occur to

you, I guess.

You never cease to surprise us, do you? said

Mrs Sharano. Now, eat your dinner, dear, before it gets

cold.

His parents werent resistant to new ideas, but

Adrik had discovered long ago that they often needed a

little guidance, especially when it came to rearing

children. That, however, wasnt his only problem at themoment; the thought of consuming an overly large bowl

of gooey white noodles was an even bigger one.

He and his mother had very different ideas on

what was best for his health, but he was determined that

this particular concoction would never pass his lips, not

until this battle had been won, not until he had achieved

his ultimate goal. He eyed her latest creation with some

trepidation. He had achieved his objective and now he

had no choice, he would have to swallow his pride and a

rather pungent dish that she called tangy noodle salad,

even if he choked on it.

Okay, here goes, he said.

A holiday in Arinyah will do you both the world

of good, wont it? said Mrs Sharano.


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It probably will, said Diego. Who knows what

the future holds for the likes of us.

Diego had already eaten the tastiest bits of the

salad and was absent-mindedly pushing what was left of

the noodles from one side of the bowl to the other.

Two months in an adventure camp wasnt hisidea of the perfect holiday, but it would have to do. He

was currently inspecting a potentially dangerous weapon,

entranced by the finely honed blade of a gleaming new

kitchen knife, giving serious consideration as to its many

and varied uses.

Theres no point in all of this studying, said

Adrik, soaking up everything that school has to offer, if

deep down, I feel spiritually bankrupt.

Mr Sharano just stared at him as he often did, just

shaking his head in disbelief. This, as he realised, was

another of Adriks outlandish schemes, behind whichwas a simple case of a hidden agenda. In one way,

though, he was simply relieved, it didnt matter where he

went, as long as it was somewhere; time out from Adrik

was an absolute necessity.

Adriks greatest achievement had been securing

two tickets aboard the Silhouette. Travelling did not

come any more luxurious than this beautiful vessel. As

well as being the flagship of the Supreme Council; it was

also a five star passenger liner. Operating on intuitive

technology, its power drawn directly from the

atmosphere itself, the Silhouette was the ultimate in

style, comfort and state-of-the-art refinements.

Wow, look at that, said Adrik, its

extraordinary.


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At almost fifty stories high, the Silhouette was a

gargantuan, a majestic sight and an awe-inspiring

creation in its own right, rising steadily upwards from a

broad base and tapering gently away to a curved point at

the top.

Come on, D, lets take a closer look.They scrambled down the aisle with dozens of

other equally curious passengers and made their way to

the observation window. At close range, the Silhouette

was everything they had heard about and more, a vast

and towering edifice that shimmered like a splinter of

black glass in the evening light.

That first glimpse though, was not what Diego

had expected; he stepped back unsteadily and collapsed

into the nearest seat.

Whats wrong, D? said Adrik. Are you sick or

something?Diego could barely even answer; it was as if the

very breath had been sucked from his body and the

colour had drained from his face. He had no idea what

was going on, but this was not the first time it had

happened, he had felt this sensation several times before.

It started simply enough, like a tingling sensation

rippling up his spine, but over the last few weeks, it had

become even stronger. He had never mentioned it to

anyone, but as he stared at the Silhouette through the

tinted window of the observation deck, he had a

suspicion it was somehow related to this trip.

Adriks mysterious stalker suddenly came to

mind, but he dismissed that idea almost immediately. A

harbinger of doom, he didnt think so, but he wasnt

certain. This had to be a figment of his imagination; he


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would never allow himself to entertain thoughts such as

this.

Even with his eyes closed, the Silhouette had a

power he found difficult to ignore. It hovered before him

like an elegant but forbidding bird of prey, a dark star on

an even darker horizon, but what it meant, he had noidea.

Several minutes later, the shuttle docked at the

Embarkation Centre. Adrik snapped back to reality all

too suddenly, his blue eyes announcing clearly to the

world that he was once again ready for business.

Lets get moving, D, he said.

Hundreds of passengers loaded down with coats,

bags and kids were jostling each other towards the exit

door. Adrik was juggling two large bags and a loose-

fitting backpack, desperate to break into the queue.Make way, he said, make way. Im coming

through.

He leapt recklessly into the fray and disappeared

amongst a swarm of jet-propelled passengers, eager to

take their first-ever trip on the Silhouette.

Diego knew this spelt trouble, he could even see

it coming. Adriks first day of freedom had gone straight

to his head. He was on a roll and nothing could stop him

now. He grabbed his bags and followed in hot pursuit.

Adrik, slow down, he yelled. You promised

not to do anything stupid.

Asking Adrik to do anything sensible was a total

waste of time and a complete waste of breath. This was

new territory and Adrik knew it. Two months of

unrestrained adventure lay ahead and he was going to


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Here we are, in the middle of a huge foyer, in

the dead of night, on a transport terminal, hundreds of

miles from anywhere and were about to be savaged by a

lethal old witch.

The transit centre was a vast white auditorium

with marble floors and long lancet windows streamingup to an ornately carved ceiling. It could have been a

temple to a minor deity, but in Diegos mind, it looked

more like his final resting place.

If I have to die somewhere, he cried, it might

as well be here.

It was obvious that the Keeper was not happy

about this at all. She was still a little ruffled as she

struggled to regain her composure, but she was an

imposing sight in her own right, towering above Diego

like a black-eyed assassin in black silken veils. That,

though, did not make her any less of a threat; the fumesof discontent were rising up around her like a cloud of

thick grey smoke.

It was almost impossible to avoid her purposeful

gaze, a look of disdain that spelt an oncoming tirade of

scorn and abuse. It was a look that Diego recognised

immediately; he had been guilty of just such a thing

many times. It was a clear indication that she was more

than aggravated by this turn of events.

If this was to be the last time he ever took a

breath, Diego did not really know. The Keeper was

obviously deep in thought, giving more than a little

consideration to the punishment they so justly deserved.

He could almost see the options turning over in her

mind, instant exile and a long lingering death in the

depths of the Abyss.


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Diego was about to beg her undying forgiveness

when she raised her right hand, revealing one long

slender finger after another. She simply pointed to Adrik,

her voice dropping by one octave after another, Look to

your friend, she suggested. His recovery will be swift.

As for myself, I am not so sure.But, she added ominously, I shall be seeing

both of you much sooner than you might have thought.

Of that, there will be no doubt at all.

Lezula retrieved her hand-luggage and swept off

along the walkway, her long black veils billowing

through the air as they fluttered along behind.

Diego spun on his heels, his whole body

quivering with anger; he was all but ready to strangle

Adrik on the spot.

What just happened? said a somewhatconfused, Adrik. He was flat on his back, surrounded by

his squashed and battered luggage and the clasp on his

backpack was still attached to the buckle on his boot.

You dont remember! said a furious, Diego.

Remember what? said Adrik. It was one of

those moments when he wished he could snap his fingers

and just disappear.

You knocked that woman off her feet, Diego

hollered.

I didnt, did I? said Adrik as he struggled to

unlock the recalcitrant clasp.

You did, said a distraught, Diego, one of those

evil old witches from the Abyss and I thought she was

about to fry me, and all because of you.


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Everywhere they went, every day of his life,

Diego was at risk of being abused or threatened, and

sometimes, like today, he even had to contend with the

perilous spawn of the black-eyed goddess from hell. If it

wasnt one thing, it was another. It was always the same

with Adrik; if he set his mind on something, he just wentfor it, regardless of the consequences.

Adrik had worked himself into a frenzy at the

thought of this holiday, driving everyone to distraction

over the last few weeks. He just couldnt wait to get

there; he had planned it in detail, a few days on the

Silhouette and two whole months in which to do

whatever they wished, but if a catastrophe was likely to

happen, it was almost a certainty that Adrik would be

somehow involved.

Adrik knew that he had gone too far this time;

Diego wasnt just angry, this time he was on the verge.The very second he opened his mouth; Diego would turn

on him like an enraged viper. Adrik knew from

experience that it was safer to say nothing at all. He

wasnt about to tempt him any further than he already

had; hed regret it for days to come if he did.

Im sorry, D, he whispered. You know what

Im like.

Diego knew exactly what he was like, but he was

still angry. He had never struck Adrik before, but for the

first time in his life he was tempted. He wanted to teach

him a lesson, he wanted to grab him by the throat and

shake some sense into him.

It took every ounce of willpower Diego could

muster to hold himself back. He stormed off for a few


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minutes and took a long, deep breath; it was the only

thing to do.

Why me, he cried, why do things like this have

to happen to me?

He looked around cautiously, wondering if the

Keeper was watching from some quiet and darkenedcorner. He was amazed that they had survived at all; it

could have been worse, much worse. She could have

taken her revenge there and then, and for all he knew,

she might still do so. Whether she would or not, he

didnt really know, but for yet another time in their lives,

they had scraped through by the skin of their teeth.

Theirs had been an uneven and sometimes

unpredictable relationship, but their lives might have

been very different if it hadnt been for a strange twist of

fate.

Not long after his tenth birthday, Diego arrivedhome after a few days at a school camp only to discover

that the house was empty and his parents were nowhere

to be found. He called for his mother, but there was no

reply. He searched in all the obvious places, but every

room in the house was deserted. He rushed around

asking the neighbours, but their news only compounded

his concerns; they hadnt seen them for at least a week.

This isnt like them at all, he said, theyre

always here when I get home. Theyd leave a note if they

were going somewhere.

Hours passed and there still was no sign of them.

In desperation, he decided to contact the authorities. He

waited on the line for what seemed like ages and when

he eventually spoke to an operator, he was informed that

there was nothing they could do. If anyone vanished in


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Vela-Rishan, everyone knew why. The Bureau of

Missing Persons could do little else, other than register

the fact that two more unfortunate souls had succumbed

to the clutches of the ever-hungry Abyss. There was a

standard response to requests such as this and it had

always been that way.For Diego, this was the darkest and most horrible

news of all. Please, God, not the Abyss, he cried. Tell

me they havent fallen into the Abyss. Please say they

havent.

Any possibility of happiness vanished from his

world in one single stroke, but if it hadnt been for

Adrik, he may never have survived at all. When Adrik

realised that he was to be adopted out as a ward of the

state; he was horrified. He decided to take a stand, to

take things into his own hands. His only choice had been

to lobby his parents on Diegos behalf. His primaryweapon was one that he had developed to perfection.

When all else fails, bombard the enemy until it

drops, he said. I might only be a kid, but even kids can

change the world. Adrik was only ten, but even at that

age, he was a force to be reckoned with.

I dont want to lose him, Diego is my best

friend, Adrik argued. Youve got to let him live with

us. I dont know what Id do without him.

It was a short but very successful campaign and

Mr and Mrs Sharano agreed almost immediately.

Adopting Diego wasnt a difficult decision, he was

almost a part of the family anyway; they were more than

happy to welcome him into their home. Mr and Mrs

Sharano knew that they could never ease his pain, but

over time, they might soften it a little.


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Diego was never the same for years after that. He

withdrew into a world of his own where he was assailed

by the dark shadows of doubt and misery on an

increasingly regular basis and even Adrik had trouble

making him laugh.

As he sat amidst the wreckage of his worldly

goods, Adrik looked about as pathetic as anyone could

look. He had more annoying habits than anyone Diego

had ever met. He had never said it aloud, but he had a

deeply felt suspicion he was the product of some cosmic

practical joke, that there was, somewhere in his gene

banks, an inherited reason for his, as yet unidentified

idiosyncrasies. Such a malfunction in a human being, he

knew, had to be his undoing in the end.

Adrik had the instinctive ability to do the wrong

thing at the wrong time. All he had to do was open hismouth and he automatically put his foot in it.

Even as Diego struggled to restrain himself from

lashing out there and then, he knew it would be a waste

of time. Adrik was Adrik and for all of his faults, he

knew he would never find a more loyal friend. In the

best and the worst of times, Adrik had always been there

for him and he always would be and, for better or worse,

he was the closest thing that he had to a brother.

Diego was just about to give him a piece of his

well thought out advice nevertheless when the voice over

the loudspeaker delivered its final notice. This is the last

boarding call for all passengers travelling on the

Silhouette.

Quick, D, said Adrik, lets go, otherwise well

miss it. He leapt to his feet, grabbed his bags and raced


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off towards the departure lounge. The recalcitrant strap

had now been restrained, but it was still jangling noisily

along behind.

Why me, Diego whispered, what have I done

to deserve this?

As the ever-present chill from the surroundingAbyss seeped through the fibres of his dark blue robes,

Diego became even more apprehensive about this so-

called adventure.

This is going to be a disaster, he whispered. I

just know it is.

The Silhouette was less than a hundred metres

away, purring like an enormous kitten in the night sky.

Diego was tempted to turn around and board the

departing shuttle and just go back home, but he knew

that he couldnt. He had no other choice; there was only

one way to go, there was only path to take, he hadcommitted himself to this venture and there was no

turning back now.

For two kids who had never been anywhere more

exciting than a hobby farm in La Kata, this was to be the

adventure of a lifetime, but as they would soon discover,

their destiny was not in their hands. They were about to

be pitched into the path of an emerging storm. From this

moment onwards, their lives would never be their own.

A drama set in motion, long, long ago was about to

unfold. Their only plan had been for a boys own

holiday. They had no idea what sort of holiday they were

in for.


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Chapter 2

The Realm of Bliss and Joy

Ever since their encounter with the Keeper,

Diegos fury had been relentless. He was still lecturing

Adrik on what not to do, even as they were leaving theircabin. He was adamant that this was going to be a

holiday with a difference.

Problem free, from start to finish, he reminded

him, do you understand?

Yep, Adrik said sheepishly.

If anyone even looks our way, Diego warned

him, let me do the talking.

As if, whispered a petulant Adrik.

His minder might have been keeping a close eye

on Adriks every move, but freedom was just around the

corner. Adrik was all but ready to scream when the doorsof the elevator opened to reveal the one place in the

entire universe where a boy like him could run amuck in

an imaginary world of unrestrained make-believe.

Oh my God, he said, look at this place.

It was on an upper deck of the Silhouette, housed

within a glass domed pavilion that Adrik had his first

taste of heaven. This was a virtual playground, a world

that had no purpose other than to take an unsuspecting

kid like him on the ride of his life. This was Adriks

ultimate fantasy, a place where he could get lost forever

and never go home until he had to, and it was all there, in

one enormous complex.

Adrik had very little on his mind other than a

good time and a few days on the Silhouette was going to

be exactly that. Apart from whatever else it offered, it


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was reputed to have the most exceptional game zone in

the known world.

This is it, D, he whispered, this is heaven, and

its all ours.

This was the fabled haunt of any self-respecting

gamer, the fast lane to electronic, self-enhancement. Thiswas the cloak and dagger world of the imagination, the

universe contained with the Realm of Bliss and Joy, the

games zone of the Silhouette.

People were milling around everywhere; some

were browsing quietly while others were seriously

considering their options. Diego was equally

preoccupied, entranced by a world that catered solely for

short-term gratification. Games, as he knew, came in

almost every shape and form, but most of them should

have been consigned to the rubbish bin years ago. Therewere a few though, that left him completely

dumfounded.

Why would you want to immerse yourself in a

vat of micro-organisms? he wondered. Why would you

even bother? Wheres the fun in that, even if it is laser

generated.

Whatever happened to plain, old-fashioned fun?

Numerous entrepreneurs had gone out of their

way to attract his attention and lighten his wallet.

Alluring holographic displays glistened and flashed,

noisily pumping out their wares, advertising the pleasure

worlds that lay within, but one or two offered an

unsettling glimpse of just a little more.


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Change your life or theirs, said one game. Help

a family of endearing little mice outsmart a feral cat with

a taste for blood.

Who cares, he said, the food chain really does

have something to answer for.

Absolutely not, he said on encountering anotherone called, Drool.

Youll salivate all the way to the finish line.

What a stupid idea for a game, he thought.

Adrik would be in his element here.

When he encountered row after endless row of

even more games, with even more nonsensical titles,

Diego did an abrupt about face and headed off in the

opposite direction.

I must have wandered into the kids area by

mistake, he groaned.

It was all too much for Diegos ordered mind. Hepreferred a world where common sense had not become

a victim to random acts of idiocy. He only liked what he

liked and even then he had his reservations. He rarely

ever found what he was looking for, but he lived in hope,

nevertheless. He moved on decisively, almost galloping

his way to greener pastures, but he had barely gone ten

metres when a high-pitched voice stopped him in his

tracks.

Whatever your heart desires is available

somewhere in the Realm of Bliss and Joy, a tantalising

voice informed him. Bliss and Joy though, are not the

only delights youre likely to encounter.

Oh my god, he said, what is that?

Blocking his path was the most outrageous-

looking woman hed ever seen in his life. Candida


25/101

looked like something from a ghastly nightmare; she

sported a wild flourish of bright orange hair that had

been teased into long thin spikes and tinted with black

tips. Beneath a swathe of red silken veils, she was

dressed from head to toe, in a tightly fitting, multi-

coloured bodysuit.Action games, virtual action games, and even

virtual battlefields, she said just a little too enticingly,

you can find virtually anything at all in the Realm of

Bliss and Joy.

Perhaps you would be interested, young man.

I dont think so, Diego replied with an air of

certainty. He stepped back cautiously; he wasnt

comfortable with anyone who looked like something

else. He was even less impressed by the wicked glint in

her eye. He had every intention of making a very fast

getaway, but Candida had other ideas.Please, step this way, she said, following his

every move as stealthily as a cat stalking a mouse. This

is why you are here, now, arent you?

I most certainly am not, believe me, Mam, I am

not.

This woman was just a little too odd for Diegos

liking. He had never been partial to the colour red, or any

loud colour for that matter, especially those with a

fluorescent tinge. Red was a colour with unpalatable

associations. It reminded him of some grotesque fatality

in which people had been maimed or butchered, but now

hed have to include orange on his ever-increasing list.

Diego was about to turn and run and find

something a little less unusual, but he happened to catch

sight of the display directly behind her. Unlike those


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hed seen for other games; this one was not screaming at

him with wild flashing signs advertising their unique

gaming opportunities, this one seemed a little different

somehow, and he sort of liked that idea. It was quieter;

the colours were softer and more muted than other

displays, shimmering with an unusual but somehowfamiliar energy.

What exactly is that? he asked.

That, sir, she informed him, is one of the most

unique concepts in gaming that you are ever likely to

encounter.

Theres something very odd about it, isnt

there?

There is indeed, she whispered, in a knowing

sort of way.

Diego was spellbound and not just by what he

saw. There was something about this game that attractedhim, but when dozens of vaporous, ghost-like figures

swept in from nowhere and wafted about like spirit souls

lost in the night; that all too familiar and very puzzling

energy rippled down his spine once again. He had felt

that sensation just a few too many times in the last

twenty-four hours. He still wasnt sure what it meant, but

it was really starting to annoy him.

Are you interested in this game? she asked.

Im not into horror stories, of any description,

he replied.

That is not how I would describe it, said

Candida.

Maybe you wouldnt, he said, but I would.


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Ill have you know, young man, she said with

an air of some authority, that there is no other game

quite like this one, anywhere else at all.

Really, Mam, he said, none at all.

No sir, she said haughtily, not one. This is

more of a personal adventure than a game, and that alonemakes it unique, now, doesnt it?

Diego continued to back away but Candida was

single-mindedly following his every step. This game

can actually configure itself to your natural skill levels.

Challenges are automatically tailored to suit your

personal preferences.

That could be to someones advantage, said an

equally single-minded Diego, but not to me.

It is a well known fact, she added, that there is

nothing on the market that can equal Mind Maze, in that

respect.Mind Maze? he said incredulously. What have

all thoseghouls got to do with the mind? They look

more like something out of a horrible nightmare.

Dont be fooled by its appearance, she

cautioned him, there is more to this than meets the eye.

Mind Maze is more than just a game. Its in a class of its

very own. It is the only game that can tap into the power

of your very own emotional world.

Yeah, yeah, he said, so what.

This kids going to be a hard nut to crack, she

thought.

It wasnt often that Candida had to go to such

lengths to lure in a new customer. This situation would

require something more than idle chit-chat. It was

obvious, even to her trained eye that this young fellow


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was in two minds about this idea, but as she knew from

prior experience, there was always a glimmer of hope,

even with the most obstinate of characters.

This particular game, she advised him, is an

original, a one-of-a-kind, if you follow my meaning.

Its not exactly what I had in mind, he said.Strong-willed you may be, she thought, but

two can play that game.

Diego had no idea that Candida had been

approached by the woman in long black veils. She had a

request that Candida found difficult to overlook. Their

discussion focused on what she should do if Diego

proved to be a little resistant or even a little exasperating.

If Candida could convince Diego of the benefits of this

game, there was a sizable bonus involved. For reasons

she was not about to divulge, he wasnt just any old

customer, Diego was the catch of the day.It really is quite extraordinary, she said. This

game is capable of taking you on a most unusual

journey, unlike any you could ever imagine. Where you

end up though, and what you find once you get there,

depends on you and you alone.

Id be surprised if it didnt..., she faltered,

artfully fishing for his name.

Diego. he said, hesitantly.

Id be surprised if this game didnt meet your

special needs, Di-ego. This game devises challenges,

suitable tohow shall I say, your personal attributes. No

other game at all can do that, now can they?

Some can! he said.

Now, now, my friend, if you agree to compete in

the dimensional reality that it offers, and if you were to


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succeed, you would be entitled to a very big prize

indeed.

You mean survive, he said, dont you?

No sir, she assured him, not at all. Im talking

about a unique and extraordinary experience here. Im

talking about the thrill ride of all time; Im talking aboutthe opportunity to succeed in a grand and unusual

adventure, one that is derived from your very own

consciousness.

Candida was monitoring his responses very, very

closely indeed. She had a lot more invested in this game

than Diego realised and she wasnt about to let him off

the hook so easily, if at all. The fact that he was testing

both her patience and resolve only made her even more

determined.

Now, as I was saying, whoever scores the

highest points will automatically advance to the nextlevel. Winning level one offers a very generous prize

indeed. Winning both levels however, would put you

into a particularly unique category altogether.

And what might that be? he said unexpectedly.

Ah ha, she thought, that little morsel must have

been dipped in a sauce that he actually likes.

Well now, she said, starting to feel very

confident indeed, amongst other things, you would be in

the running to win the Grand Prize. Unlike other games,

which require you to advance through numerous,

complicated levels, due to the inadequacy of their

design, of course, you need only complete two levels of

the loop. Level two is not impossible, but it is, how shall

I say, different.


30/101

What loop are you talking about? he said.

Diego had a short fuse for anyone who spoke in riddles.

Whats a loop got to do with this game?

In this particular game, she whispered

delicately, it means that if you make the right choices in

the first round, you remain in the loop. If on the otherhand, you make alternative choices, and choose to do it

your own way, you will be

Doomed, he surmised, to do it all over again.

Not exactly, she said, but if you find yourself

outside of the loop, you would have to complete

whatever process you started. The choices you make

however, can be, how shall I say, fateful.

Fateful! he exclaimed. That puts me out of the

picture then, doesnt it?

Candida realised that her time had come. The

ranks of the interested had swollen in the last fewminutes and she had no choice but to take this charade

all the way to the next level.

Has Diego got what it takes, she whispered her

challenge to an ever-growing audience, in fact, have any

of you boys got what it takes?

Do you have the ability, she roared, to outwit

an assortment of shape-changing, head-spinning

pranksters, and beat them, academically speaking of

course, to a pulp?

Of course we can, said a couple of young men

in the audience.

How absolutely wonderful, she chuckled. That

routine never fails to impress.

Candida had always been fond of that particular

line. If delivered with flair and style, it always sparked a


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little interest, but it was even more effective if she added

a dash or two of her own particular medicine. Fluttering

her veils and battering her eyelashes for the sake of a few

extra customers was a sure fire way of sealing the deal.

The crowd continued to swell until there was

barely even standing room. Some were interested, butothers like Adrik were attracted by a free performance

from this larger than life, exotically dressed young

woman.

Adriks only plan had been to immerse himself in

the undiscovered pleasures of this wondrous new world;

he had been looking forward to playing games he had

never encountered in his life and more importantly, he

had been looking forwards to becoming one with the

Realm of Bliss and Joy.

He had never played any of these games before, but from what he had heard, they were unique to the

Silhouette. He had great expectations from a game called

Strike Action, a game in which the player could step

across the imaginary threshold and enter the game

themselves. A laser-like weapon attached to your

fingertips was about as cool as it got. It was as if you had

magic powers and your fingers were hi-tech wands. It

was the perfect form of revenge, it gave him the

opportunity to obliterate a horde of revolting little

creatures he had come to dislike with a passionate

intensity.

In most games you had to track down the

opposition, but in this game, they came after you. The

only skills you required were physical dexterity and an

imagination, and in this case, Adrik had more than


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enough of both. Over the years, he had developed his

own version of almost everything and this was one of

those times when his unique take on modern dance and

the martial arts allowed him to strut his stuff without

embarrassing anyone but himself.

It didnt take long though before his cherisheddream began to turn ugly and he was both physically and

strategically exhausted, overwhelmed by a never-ending

horde of psychopathic terrorists assaulting him from

every angle, forced by a sophisticated computer game to

battle the same revolting creatures over and over until he

couldnt take any more. They just kept on coming and he

had no choice in the end except to make a run for it. If he

had known that mutants were to be a feature of this

game, he would never have bothered. They were his least

favourite opponents and the worst of all possible

adversaries.An open game card however, gave him the

opportunity to play a series of ten games in a row and the

best part was that they were free; all you had to do was

ask for one. It was a beautifully simple concept, he could

switch from one game to another at his leisure and if he

didnt like the one he was playing, all he had to do was

hit the cancel button and he was transferred to the next

game on the list.

What could be better than that, said Adrik.

What he had not expected to encounter in every

game in the series was a random opponent who appeared

and disappeared in the blink of an eye. All he ever saw

was a fleeting glimpse of black veils. He ignored it at

first; assuming it was a part of the game. When he saw

the same thing in the third game and then the fourth, he


33/101

started to panic. He moved on to the next game in the

series, but it was always there. Wherever he looked; it

was somewhere in the background. He wasnt sure what

it meant, but after a while, he just couldnt take it

anymore. When he saw black veils reflecting off every

polished surface in every game he played, he knewexactly who this was.

Its the Keeper, he cried, Ive got to get out of

here.

He headed for the door and back into the arms of

a more familiar world, desperate to get as far away from

there as possible. He could lose himself amidst an

anonymous crowd he decided and hopefully the Keeper

wouldnt have a clue where he was. And then again, he

thought, maybe that wouldnt do any good at all. She

could probably reappear at will if she wanted to. He tooka long deep breath and braced himself; hoping his little

plan would work.

Just look normal, he told himself.

His efforts to find Diego took a lot longer than he

had anticipated. There was more to the game zone than

Adrik had realised. He sprinted down corridors that went

one way and another, only to end up time and again at

the huge plate glass windows that reminded him he was

on a ship sailing through the boundless world of the

Abyss. As he raced from one area to another, he was

starting to get more than a little frazzled by the ever-

present noise of electronic buzzers and the constant

unexpected flash from every passing game.

Ive got to find him before the Keeper does, he

sighed, or who knows what will happen.


34/101

When he was just about to give up altogether, he

noticed a crowd of people gathered around a strange

looking woman with flaming red hair. Diego would

never go anywhere near someone like that. He wandered

over to have a look all the same and was surprised to

discover that he was there and that he was surrounded bya crowd of inquisitive spectators. Diego rarely drew

attention to himself for any reason at all, as Adrik knew

from personal experience, but unbelievably, there he

was.

He elbowed his way through the crowd, as

respectfully as possible. Hes my friend, he tried to

explain, Ive been looking for him everywhere.

Diego was preoccupied and didnt even realise he

was there. If he had taken the time to look, he would

have noticed that Adrik was on the verge, that he was

about to pop at any given moment.My god, said Adrik, what are you up to,

Diego?

Im thinking, he replied, about this game, but

why though, I havent a clue.

Adrik glanced up at the huge glittering display

advertising the features of this game. Even in his

somewhat distressed state, he sense something about it

that he didnt like, but it was the warning in small print

at the bottom that sent shivers up his spine, You never

know whats on the other side, until youve been there,

it said.

That was enough for him.

Lets get out of here, now, Diego. Theres

something very weird going on, Adrik whispered. I

dont like this place anymore.


35/101

Not now, Adrik, Im busy.

Adriks was glancing anxiously around at each

and every face in the crowd, almost oblivious to where

he was and what he was doing, his agitation increasing

by the second.

Someone has been following me, he cried.What do you mean, said Diego, who has?

That woman, said Adrik, that creepy-looking

woman.

A moment of unnatural silence followed when

everyone suddenly became all ears. Diego didnt know

which way to turn, aware that the Keeper might still be

close by.

Candida had a job to do and a deadline to meet,

and she wasnt about to be side-tracked by a skinny little

adolescent, fixated on a phantom obsession.

Are you going to play this game or not? sheasked Diego. She grabbed him by the arm and whispered

her message as clearly as she could.

This competition is about to commence,

immediately, sir. If you choose to play, there wont be

any charge, this time. I dont wish to cause a public riot,

sir, but you are not just our first customer of the day.

You are, technically, our ten thousandth customer of the

year, if you see what I mean.

I do, said Diego, I certainly do.

And depending on the outcome, of course, if you

emerge as the champion of the day, you would be

eligible for a very generous prize indeed.

And what might that be? he said.

That! said Candida, directing his attention to a

wildly illuminated display.


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Numerous gold discs, swirling independently in

mid-air advertised a grand assortment of very desirable

prizes. A second and very noticeable message indicated

that it was Only available in Arinyah.

This could be your lucky day, said Candida.

Imagine two weeks at the infamous Arinyah Cosmosand in the Presidential Suite and, with your very own

tour guide.

A prize like this comes with more treats and

samples than you are ever likely to see in a life time and

all because of one little old game. It could change your

life completely, now, couldnt it?

It most certainly could, said Diego.

So, I can get anything my heart desires, he said.

Within reason, said Candida, as she eagerly

awaited his response. Is that a yes, then?

Yes, Mam, it is.Diego wasnt about to squander a mouth-

watering opportunity like this and just fling it down the

plug hole, not after the pain and misery hed endured

over the last few years. If this was an opportunity for a

few days of bliss, joy and self-indulgence, then he was

most definitely going to have a shot at it.

That very familiar energy rippled up his spine

once again, only this time it felt a little different. Imbued

with a newfound confidence, he knew that this wasnt a

pie-in-the-sky fantasy; this was a dream that could

actually come true.

All those wishing to play, Candida declared,

please follow me.

If it just so happens that our contestants do as

well as they expect to, she advised the assembled


37/101

crowd, they will be in very privileged company indeed

and, if they pass through this level unscathed, the

company has one request.

And what might that be? said Diego.

That you give some consideration, said

Candida, as to whether or not you will participate in TheUltimate Challenge.

Perhaps we should just try this level first, he

suggested.

By all means, she replied.

Would everyone please step this way, she said.

Two competitors per cubicle or you will be disqualified

automatically.

Can I play by myself? Diego asked.

No, Candida snapped at him, you need a

partner. Are you interested in that prize or not, or would

you rather leave now, with nothing at all?I have every intention of playing this game, he

advised her in no uncertain terms.

Then find someone to play with! she said.

Diego turned on Adrik, grabbed him by the arm

and informed him slowly but firmly, Adrik, youre

going to play this game, whether you like it or not!

Adrik was momentarily bewildered. Di-ego, do

we have to?

Yes we do, Adrik, he said.

Adrik didnt like this idea at all. He had heard

about this game. It was much more than just a game,

apparently, and anything could happen in it. What it was

though, he hadnt a clue, but he had heard things he

didnt even want to think about.


38/101

You owe me a little favour, Adrik, for last night,

remember?

A moment of obvious tension followed. Adrik

knew by the look on Diegos face that he was absolutely

serious about this idea. Diego didnt get like this very

often, but when he did, Adrik had no choice but tosubmit.

Okay, he conceded, if I must, but only if I get

half, D.

Its a deal, then, he said.

My friends, Candida boomed, Diego has what

he wants, and we now have a full house. Were nothing

if not flexible, at mindmaze dot com.

Candida provided each contestant with a remote-

controlled hand-glove and then furnished them all with

last minute instructions.

If these contestants are as skilful as we expectthem to be, she said, then everyone will get an

opportunity to see what they are up against. This level is

a standard feature of the game. Its a race against the

clock. Their first task will be to annihilate every single

opponent within fifteen minutes flat.

The real test of course, she informed them,

pointing to an external monitor, currently displaying the

results in huge red zeros, is not just to emerge

unscathed, but to allow us to see it as well.

To do that, one contestant must dispose of

several designated targets, or, she said pointedly, they

will be eliminated from the game, immediately.


39/101

Chapter 3

Sharp Claws and Attitude

Several young girls had offered to escort them to

their cubicle, but Candida brushed them aside, adamant

that they should do it alone.The pathway to glory, she informed them, is

rarely travelled with an entourage.

There are names for people like you, Diego

whispered beneath his breath.

Even if he had had a moment to express his

distaste for Candida, he never got that opportunity; the

doors closed behind them as swiftly as they opened.

Once inside, they were surprised to discover that

this was no ordinary games cubicle. It was infinitely

larger on the inside than any other cubicle they had ever

seen. It looked more like the control deck of an inter-stellar cruise liner, decorated from ceiling to floor with

polished black panels and furnished with large leather

console chairs.

This is amazing, said Adrik, a platform to the

next world, if ever there was one.

They barely had time to take their seats when

they were advised by an automated pilot to prepare for

the ride of their lives. The cubicle was gradually

transformed into a performance area awaiting

instructions. The next thing they heard was an almighty

rush of compressed air as an imaginary shuttle

disengaged from a docking bay at an imaginary space

port. The lights softened and then became progressively

dimmer.


40/101

Adrik relaxed into his chair, almost beside

himself with anticipation. This was the part that he loved

the most, the visual display screen flickering into life and

advertising the features of a new and unexplored game.

He waited with bated breath, expecting an undiscovered

realm of infinite possibilities to appear magically beforehis eyes. A few minutes passed and nothing happened.

The only visible sign of any activity was a vague

impression of the endless depths of a dark and unfamiliar

world.

When it became obvious that something was

wrong, he began to panic and then started tapping away

at the buttons on his console, the lights in the cubicle

flickered sporadically, but still nothing happened.

Diego, he cried, where are the controls?

Ive got them, he said, theyre here, on my

console. Diego tapped away at the menu bar, expectingthis problem to be resolved almost immediately.

When Adrik saw the ghostly outlines of vaporous

creatures swirling through the air, he cried out, No, not

that game, Diego, not the witches from hell.

Before Diego could select another game, they

were stretching out their long vaporous arms and

encircling him with their eerie, oozy paws.

Get out of here, he cried.

While Diego fumbled with the controls, they

turned towards Adrik, cackling like a bunch of old

crones savouring the idea of a delicious new possibility.

He was waving his arms madly about his head as if it

might do some good. He knew they werent real, just a

graphic effect generated by a sophisticated program, but

that didnt make them any less annoying.


41/101

The control panel was flickering on and off and

Diego could barely see what he was doing. He continued

to tap away blindly, scrolling through one option after

another and when he thought he had the problem solved,

he said, I think Ive got it.

The atmosphere in the cubicle changed in aninstant, its soft metallic glow suddenly escalated to an

inky blackness and somewhere in the background they

heard a noise that sounded more like the motor of an

enormous engine. They were unexpectedly thrown back

against their seats and before they knew what had

happened, a doorway to another world had suddenly

opened.

Oops, said Adrik, what did you choose this

time?

Diego never got an opportunity to answer; he had

expected the game to start as any game would have done,with a colourful introduction, followed by the usual

range of playing options, but that was not to be. They

found themselves staring down the barrel of a long,

black tunnel, the first in a series of doorways that led to

the energetic world beyond.

Adrik was equally perplexed, but when he got a

fleeting glimpse of row upon row of very dangerous-

looking, razor sharp teeth, he started praying to any god

that would listen. The doorway opened with unexpected

swiftness and before they even knew it, they were being

drawn headlong into its awaiting arms.

Oh my God, he screeched, whats happening?

A few minutes later, he scrambled to his feet,

only to discover that they were stranded on a large chunk


42/101

of bare and flattened rock and were floating around in a

hazy-blue fantasy world. Except for a few bumps and

bruises, he had survived, but Diego had not been so

fortunate. He was dangling over the edge, dangerously

close to the point of vanishing into the bleak and

bottomless Abyss.What have we got ourselves into now? he said.

He leapt to his feet and was almost incinerated by a

shower of sizzling flames dropping from the sky like

hailstones.

Whats happening? Adrik cried.

I dont know, Diego replied. Test out your

glove, Adrik, hurry!

Adrik pressed one of the touch-sensitive buttons

on his glove, closed his eyes, and raised his hand above

his head. A projectile soared up into the sky and was

immediately intercepted by a barrage of miniaturemissiles.

Who did that? he said.

Those things up there, behind those rocks, said

Diego, I bet theyre mutants.

I hope not, said Adrik, I hate those things.

The enemy camp was visible on the distant

horizon; there were hundreds of fortified islands

stretching from one end to the other in perfect military

formation. The fluctuating conditions made it difficult to

see anything much, but when he heard a familiar

shrieking noise, Adrik pressed another button on his

glove, a volley of miniature explosives shot into the air

and the crowd roared with delight. Their monitor

flickered into life and a line of huge red zeros had

suddenly been transformed into multiples of a thousand.


43/101

Wow, I did it, said Adrik, but what did I do?

Candida was equally as stunned. Adrik had

vaporized most of the opposition within the first few

minutes. She scrutinized the scoreboard, watching in

astonishment as their counter soared into multiple

figures. Thirty seconds later, she reached for her audio phone, waited until she heard a reply and then said,

Lezula, I thought you should know, Adrik and Diego

are doing just fine, in fact, theyre doing just brilliantly.

Inform your friends that they should be arriving at their

next destination in about twenty minutes.

Adrik was screeching hysterically, it was one

characteristic for which he was universally famous, hed

been doing it for most of his life, but this was the first

time that Diego had ever approved.

Its the welcoming committee, he cried, give

them everything youve got!Mutants were a feature of many games, but their

appearance rarely ever changed. To the seasoned gamer,

they all looked exactly the same, they had grotesque bat-

like faces, pointed ears and fangs, and each and every

one of them oozed sharp claws and attitude.

Hideous little wretches, said Adrik. I look

forward to the day that were rid of these things.

It was obvious that this particular species had

never been briefed on survival skills. They had exactly

the same routine; theyd initiate a suicide dive, leap into

the fray for their two minutes of glory, screech

hysterically, spin like a top and explode in a puff of

smoke. A well-aimed shot was the only way to dispose

of such noxious pests.


44/101

Weve only got ten minutes left, said Diego,

wed better make the best of this.

It was at that very moment that another adversary

made its appearance.

Uh oh, D, what the devil is that thing?

Im not exactly sure, said Diego, perhaps itsthe mother-ship.

As she rose up from the shadowy depths of the

Abyss, it was apparent that this was a monstrosity that

could only have come from the deepest regions of hell.

She hovered momentarily and then began moving from

one side of the battlefield to the other, her pace

modulated and purposeful. At first sight, she appeared to

be a black metallic sphere of no particular persuasion. A

row of red beady eyes, positioned at strategic intervals

around her body flickered on and off like high speed

electronic shutters.Its an automated robot, said Adrik, or at least I

think it is.

Whatever she was, she was fully active with her

sights firmly fixed on her targets. They drew back in

horror when she initiated an unexpected transformation.

From hidden compartments deep within her body, she

revealed an arsenal of highly specialised and very

flexible tentacles. Each one was black and glistening and

they were all ready for business.

They watched with bated breath, not knowing

what to expect, but ducked for cover when she

dispatched her first round of missiles. Diego reached out

and caught one, seconds before it disappeared into the

Abyss. He flipped it around and was surprised to

discover that it was nothing but a black rubber ball.


45/101

I was expecting something worse, he said,

something like rubber bullets or miniature bombs.

It looked like any other ball used in a standard

ball game. He examined it closely, wondering if it had

some other purpose. It was soft and flexible and

appeared to have no visible wiring mechanism. It wasthen that he noticed that his glove had a rubbery-looking

palm pad on either side. The glove was soft and pliable

with a distinct metallic sheen. Ten highly polished

buttons ran the length of his index finger and down to

the tip of his thumb, but the palm pads on either side

were the most curious aspect.

I wonder what theyre for, he said.

Toss that ball into the air and see for yourself,

said Adrik.

Wow! he shouted as he did do, this glove

doubles as a racket! Its true value and purpose had now been revealed, Diego turned on the mother-ship with a

wicked glint in his eye and said, Come and get it, lady.

Ill teach you to throw poisonous balls at me!

The game suddenly took on a whole new

dimension. The mother-ship upped the ante, festooning

the atmosphere with a barrage of even more volatile

balls, but Diego wasnt fazed in the least. Shes nothing

but a glorified pumping bag, he said.

He sent each one flying back as quickly as she

served them up. After a few direct hits from a well-

placed back-swing, several of her tentacles shrivelled up

in a puff of black smoke.

Thats what were after, said Diego. It wasnt

hard work but they were on fire, screeching with delight


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as even more of her tentacles evaporated into the

atmosphere.

What do you know about ball games? said

Diego.

If you hit a ball on an angle, it has a lethal spin,

said Adrik, its not the speed that counts, D, its thespin.

Ah ha! he said, so thats the way it is.

The secret to success was not just in the delivery,

a well-angled strike added significant spin to a shot,

depriving the mother-ship of her staying power. As one

precious tentacle after another began to fizzle like loose

electric cables, she sank even further into the Abyss.

Give her everything youve got, said Diego,

weve got less than two minutes left.

Shes bound to be programmed for a last minute

surprise, said Adrik.Diego took a punt on a function he hadnt yet

used. He had no idea what it was for, but this was his last

opportunity. When the mother-ship was about to make a

last minute comeback, he leapt to his feet and took one

long breath. He waited anxiously, all the while ensuring

that he had her directly in his sights. When he was

absolutely certain, he fired away with reckless abandon.

When she began to spin like a top on an invisible

axis, Adrik closed his eyes and steeled himself for an

explosive and possibly messy end. When he looked back

up, there was very little left other than a few charred

remains and a wisp or two of black smoke wafting away

into the atmosphere.

For a few uncertain minutes, there was total

silence, and then Adrik heard a sound that brought tears


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to his eyes; it was that of the expectant audience, they

had been watching in amazement as the tally on the

scoreboard just kept on climbing. A moment later, a

carillon of noisy bells rang out through the heavens and

the sky was illuminated by thousands of digitally

enhanced pixels.Adrik and Diego have hit the jackpot! they

heard Candida cry. They have hit the one million dollar

jackpot. They have scored over seventy thousand,

unbelievable points in just under fifteen incredible

minutes.

And that, my friends, is only possible at

mindmaze dot com.

Chapter 4

Kidnapped

At an inner level, Diego knew this was more than

just a game, but its attraction ran deeper than his

common sense would ever allow him to admit. If he had

any idea of what was to follow, he would never have

played it at all. That decision, though, had not been in his

hands.

He was even less aware that this was not a game

in the usual sense, but an extension of the complex world

in which he lived, an energetic equation that could

reproduce itself in an infinite variety of guises until each

and every element of its plan was in its allotted place.

If they had moved but a few feet in either

direction, they would have stepped through the gossamer

thin film commonly known as the veil. Separating one


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world from another, the veil was only a breath away, but

to those who knew how, it gave them the freedom to

travel from one dimensional realm to another.

The most enigmatic of all such realms was the

Khavala, an energy field of immense scope and power,

the one place in which the finite and infinite, the knownand the unknown existed as one in the boundless

expanse of the greater universal mind. It was not usually

a destination in this or any other game; but unknown to

Adrik and Diego, it was about to become one.

The Khavala was the home world of a unique

species of nature spirits called the Krugwah. They were

one of the few creatures cast from the very same mould;

they had little potbellies, short stumpy legs, mischievous

but adorable faces and large irresistible eyes. It was

almost impossible to tell them apart, but even so, they

each had their own individual personalities. What diddifferentiate them though was a flourish of soft golden

hair. There was not so much of it in some cases, but it

was there nevertheless.

Lezula had asked them to assist in this venture.

These boys have an appointment with destiny, she had

told them, and they dont know a thing about it. I want

you to take them to the Khavala and then return them to

that game, without them ever knowing anything about

it.

In emergencies such as this, the Krugwah would

employ a time-honoured tactic. A natural diversion such

as a smoke screen or the cover of darkness often worked

best. They would slip through the veil, collect their

charges as gently as they could and whisk them away to

some other time or place, but an experience like that was


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not without its dangers. If the poor unsuspecting soul just

happened to wake up, they usually passed out on the

spot.

Before dusk settled on that chilly night, Adrik

and Diego would be covered by a makeshift blanket ofweeds and leaves, their basic health needs attended to

and they would even receive a simple Krugwah bath.

They had been placed beside a warm open fire in

the middle of a cool forest. Six little Krugwah, Eenah,

Peedie, Bootee and Deeta were busily attending to their

welfare; Malila was preparing a pot of wholesome,

home-made soup, while Wimple sat lookout in a tree

above.

The Krugwah were obliging little souls who

would go out of their way to help anyone in need. They

had never before had to provide for guests or even attendto their wellbeing, but they were prepared to give it a go

nevertheless.

Something terrible has happened to them, said

Deeta.

They just un-conscious, said Eenah, its

nothing much.

Whats that? he said, pointing at a trickle of

blood running down Adriks face.

A minor injury, he not going to die, said Eenah.

It was only a small scratch and barely even

noticeable, a little below Adriks left eye, but even so,

they all considered it their duty to attend to this problem

as best as they could.

Numerous attempts had been made to apply a

simple Krugwah remedy but the idea of actually


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touching him proved to be the greatest barrier of all. It

took a considerable amount of time to decide on the best

method of treatment, but the issue of who was in charge

had to be decided first. This led to a solid hour of

bickering and when it was over, Eenah decided that she

would be supervisor of the first shift. That seemed aperfectly good compromise to them all.

Deeta had been handed the task of cleaning

Adriks wound, but it proved to be his greatest challenge

and, no matter how he tried, he just couldnt bring

himself to do it.

What taking you so long? Eenah barked at him.

A minor medical emergency was all too much for

little Deeta. You do it, then, he said.

I not doing dat type of ting, she said, besides,

they are boys, and I is a girl.

After hours of fruitless attempts to administerany sort of treatment at all proved totally useless, they

just sat around and waited. By early morning, the blood

had dried and the wound had almost healed. Now that it

was all over, Deeta felt very relieved indeed.

Wimple was lost in his own world. From his

vantage point in a nearby tree, he had a clear view of the

situation below. He couldnt understand what all the fuss

was about, but even so, he continued to monitor their

every movement. He wanted to wake the boys

immediately and get them on their way, but it was

against the rules for Krugwah to interfere in non-

Krugwah business.

The situation in the Khavala had changed

recently and he was aware that it was becoming


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decidedly stranger by the hour. Twilight was as strange

as any other time. He glanced around at the eerie light

that transfused everything with a pale purple tinge. The

Khavala was a world like no other. From one invisible

horizon to the other, it was peppered with landforms of

every shape and size, but he barely even noticed themIt was the shadowy form in the upper atmosphere

that concerned Wimple the most. It was barely even

visible, but he knew it was there. The Gateway was one

of the great mysteries of the Khavala, a supernatural

event that appeared like clockwork at the end of every

millennium. It was a structure as old as time itself, it

rarely ever opened, but when it did; it did so for a

specific purpose. Peculiar and sometimes horrifying

things often followed in its wake. Wimple had very clear

memories of the destruction that followed its last

appearance.Dat, he sighed, I dont even care to think

about.

A threat to the Khavala had only ever happened

once before, but its impact had changed everything.

Those memories were never far from the surface and it

took very little for them to come flooding back. He

shuddered at the thought of what might have happened if

Darko had not been contained.

Because of recent developments, he realised that

the Krugwah had more on their hands than they might be

able to handle. Lezula had been preparing them for this

situation for many years now. These two boys had been

expected, they were part of the plan, but they had not

expected hundreds of others to turn up as well.


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To Wimples mind, the appearance of so many

other people added a whole new dimension to this

situation. Except for the Krugwah and the Yumi, no one

had ever visited the Khavala in its entire existence. Its

location had always been a closely guarded secret, but

now, all of that had changed.Too many things are changing, he said.

He looked up at the Gateway, almost certain that

it was preparing to play an even bigger role in their lives,

maybe even bigger than it had the last time.

The boys are stirring, he heard Eenah yell.

Wimple, its time to get out of here.

It had been a while since Wimple had seen these

kids. Not so very long ago, they had lived in this very

world, but that had been in another lifetime. He had

watched them grow into intelligent young men. He had

been there on the day they made their first foray into theKhavala. He had shown them the secret of crossing over

from one realm to another, how to pass through the

invisible veil that separated all worlds. He had

introduced them to the inter-dimensional highways that

traversed the Khavala from one end to the other and,

once he had even taken them to the borderlands of the

world at the centre of all things.

It was the aftermath of that experience though,

that changed the course of their lives for all time. A

black cloud had appeared on a distant horizon and it had

been moving in closer ever since. In the end, they made a

decision that no Yumi had ever made before. A heritage

as old as the time itself was at stake and the only solution

was to sacrifice everything.


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Are you okay? said Diego.

I think so, he said as he gazed at the reflection

in his beautifully polished boots. He didnt really know

for sure. It felt a little odd to be laying there like that, so

stiff and un-moving, like a body that had been dipped in

embalming fluid and wrapped in dried twigs and herbs,only hours before it was to be laid in its final resting

place.

Where are we, D, and how did we get here?

I dont really know, but we appear to be in a

forest of some kind.

A forest? said Adrik.

Yes, and I have a suspicion that were not where

were supposed to be.

What do you mean? said Adrik.

I think weve been kidnapped.

By what, said Adrik, by that game?Possibly, said Diego, but Im not certain.

That was all too much for Adrik to digest in one

serve. He studied the landscape closely. To his mind, this

didnt look like a game at all, but if it was a forest, it

looked like the real thing. A soft dappled light filtered

down through a huge canopy of over-arching leaves and

the softest hint of jasmine floated gently through the air.

So, youre certain were not in that game.

Im almost sure of it, said Diego.

Diego had read about places like this, he had

even seen a real forest once before, but he had never

encountered anything like this. He came from a world of

neatly manicured parks and gardens, but they were

nothing at all like this place.


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From what he could see, they were surrounded

on all sides by an unforgiving jungle and if they were to

get through this situation alive, they would have to fight

their way through the undergrowth.

Come on Adrik, on your feet, he said, if were

to find out anything at all, we have no choice but to go inthere.

Adrik was a little confused, he didnt understand;

a tangle of vines and bushes with long spiky thorns

looked positively dangerous. This was supposed to be a

game. You didnt have to battle your way through a real

forest in an artificial game. They were simulations, with

clear instructions posted at regular intervals and a bucket

load of rewards if you did the right thing, but search as

he may he couldnt see anything even remotely like that.

Isnt there some other way to do this? he asked.

From his perspective, this jungle place looked like it wasgoing to be a problem.

Not unless you can fly, said Diego.

Adrik staggered to his feet and considered the

road ahead. It wasnt much of a path, but it looked as if it

had been travelled many times before. They ventured in,

hesitantly at first, and then began the back-breaking

work of shoving vines and straggly bushes aside;

struggling at every turn as they forced their way through

the encroaching undergrowth. Adrik soon discovered

that some trees had a mind of their own. Long thin

saplings werent the worst thing he encountered, but they

had the potential to do the most damage. He soon learnt

not to push them aside with such gusto; they didnt like

that at all. They were like spring tension whips that

bounced back and slapped him in the face.


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For a couple of city boys who knew nothing

about the wild frontier outside their own front door, this

was hard going. They were not used to roughing it under

any circumstances. After about an hour, they had just

about had enough. They were tired and sweaty, covered

in cuts and bruises, they had been assaulted by some ofthe most vicious plants in the natural world and all they

wanted to do was get out of there. They were about to

drop from exhaustion when they noticed that the path

ahead opened onto a clearing. It was a moment they

would always remember, the moment the light returned

to their lives and they rejoiced as a soft cool breeze

massaged their face and eased its way into the depths of

their soul. Adrik dashed forward and ripped off his shirt,

luxuriating in the coolness it brought to his now

lacerated body.

It was then that he discovered where they were.Were on the edge of a cliff, he said.

Beyond that, it was a sheer drop to the bottomless

world below.

On an island, he added.

He should not have been surprised; they lived in

a world of floating islands. They came in every shape

and size and dotted the coastline for thousands of miles

along the length and breadth of every continent in the

realm.

It had been a long and exhausting battle just to

get to this point and if they wanted to see anything more

they would have to traverse a narrow ravine and then

clamber up a steep hill on the other side.


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The ravine was only a few metres wide at any

one point but it was not impassable. Their one and only

hope of making it across was by a natural land bridge

that spanned the gaping chasm from one side to the

other. It was a long thin wedge of stone that had

collapsed from the cliff face on the other side. Most of itwas still intact and even as they studied it, it looked as if

it was sturdy enough to carry the weight of two

adolescent boys.

That looks a little dicey to me, said Diego. It

could give way at any moment.

Its either that or we jump, said Adrik, but if

we miss, thats where well end up.

Wherever they looked, they were surrounded by

the vast ocean of nothingness. The Abyss was an

unavoidable reality in their lives and it was never far

from their thoughts at any one time. It was the greatleveller, the one place everyone went out of their way to

avoid. To disappear into its unforgiving depths was the

last thing either of them wanted.

What will it be, then? said Adrik

After a moment of deliberation, Diego decided to

throw caution to the wind.

I think Ill jump across.

Okay, Adrik, he said, move out of the way,

Im going to do this.

It wasnt a long jump, but he wasnt prepared to

miss his mark either. One metre from the edge will be

about as much as I can manage.

Adrik watched Diegos every move with baited

breath. He

Documents

Part One of a Strange Twist of Fate