Keys to Everything
As they drew closer to the captivating city of Plenorian, Zee and his companions were met with a stunning spectacle. The grand structure soared toward the sky, its height commanding attention. A peaceful silence enveloped them. Zee veered off the road and parked the dune buggy, turning off the engine before stepping out. The others followed suit, with Rez and Throk opting to linger behind the group, vigilant against raiders. The once vibrant streets now lay quiet, the only sound being the distant echoes of their footsteps. Soft, powdery snowflakes delicately coated the stone-paved road, transforming the scene into a mesmerizing winter wonderland. The brisk air filled their lungs, infused with the fresh scent of newly fallen snow. Dim streetlights emitted an otherworldly glow, casting long shadows that playfully flickered across the deserted buildings. As they ventured deeper into the city, a profound sense of tranquility enveloped them, as if time had come to a standstill in this frozen moment. As Zee tentatively stepped into the city of Plenorian, a chilling scene unfolded before him. Ice-covered buildings loomed overhead, their sharp silhouettes shimmering in the weak moonlight. The biting, cold air cut through him, chilling him to the core and making every breath feel heavy in the frosty atmosphere. Zee was anxious that he might be too late for his beloved. He continued down the path toward the central chamber of commerce, where Cornsilia typically dedicated her days to work. It was the first place he needed to look—inside her office.
The scent of frozen metal permeated the air, a metallic tang that hinted at the harshness of the dropped temperatures. As they ventured further, a sense of unease settled over them, knowing that somewhere within these icy walls lay the frozen, lifeless bodies of those who once called Plenorian home. Admir shivered at the sight of dead bodies lying on the sidewalks. She gripped Solmar's arm tightly as they stayed close to Thriruuzk. The three raiders followed a short distance behind, maintaining a slight gap. Rez fixed a menacing glare on the back of Arif; unlike his father, he was not as trusting. Instinctively, he would have preferred to eliminate them on the spot. He understood that if their situations were reversed, Saurkear's raiders would not have shown them the same mercy. Without warning, Zee quickened his pace when he spotted the entrance of the commerce building in the distance. He broke into a sprint, racing toward the front doors. Gripping the cold metal handles, he swung the glass door open, stepping into a spacious lobby adorned with marble floors and towering gray walls. Zee scanned the lobby, trying to recall the location of Cornsilia's office.
Zee shouted for Cornsilia, hoping to hear a familiar voice respond. Rez was bewildered; he had no clue who this Cornsilia was or why his father was calling out to her. Anger began to rise within him. Throk glanced at Rez's puzzled expression, realizing that Uncle Zee had a hidden life that the family knew nothing about. Zee persisted in his calls, determined to press on. Suddenly, it occurred to him that her office faced the inner courtyard garden, where she had once mentioned enjoying the sight of the water fountain during her breaks. As they moved deeper into the area, they finally reached the central garden. The frozen fountain stood as a stunning centerpiece, with intricately formed shards of ice cascading beautifully from its elegant structure, sparkling softly in the moonlight. Intrigued by the source of the glowing light above, they looked up to find that the ceiling was made of unbreakable glass windows.
Zee came to a sudden stop and turned to face the others, explaining that he needed them to keep watch while he entered the room. With no further words exchanged, he stepped away, vanishing into the office. Inside, the space was immaculately maintained and meticulously organized. The walls featured light-colored modern wood paneling, complemented by sleek shelving nestled within a bookcase nook. The desk was a striking jet black, matching the contemporary furniture throughout the room. Tasteful and expensive decor was artfully arranged on various surfaces. Prominently displayed on the desk was a beautiful photograph of Cornsilia and her daughter, surrounded by stacks of books and paperwork. However, the desk was otherwise clear, and the room itself showed no sign of Cornsilia. The only other place she could possibly be, Zee thought, was safe at home.
Before Zee exited the room, he took the wooden photo frame from Cornsilia's desk and carefully removed the picture it held. He gazed at her lovely face for a few moments longer, then tucked it securely into his inner coat pocket. He was resolute in his quest to locate her before departing for Zerzura. So far, it seemed that nothing within Plenorian had survived the onslaught of the icy storm. Zee returned to the quiet, huddled group that had been waiting for his return. Rez, now averted from his father's gaze, focused on the center courtyard of the building. Once upon a time, the design was intended to resemble an outdoor jungle or tropical garden, now the inner courtyard was devoid of color, encased in ice. In a split-second the group was alarmed by the sudden ringing of the bells of Plenorian, their sound reverberating throughout the entire city. The ringing could only signify one thing: the bell guards were on duty. The bells hung high above the towering cathedral at the heart of Plenorian.
"That's it! That's where she's gone to be safe," Zee realized. "She's not at home; they must have taken them alive to the church." He glanced at the others urgently. "We need to head to the church — that's where we'll find the survivors."
Arif inclined his head toward Zee and said, "If they need saving, let's go help them. You take the lead."
They set off, trailing behind Zee as he skillfully navigated his way out of the commerce building and back into the bitter cold of the Plenorian streets. Looking up, the city rose steadily with shops and houses ascending along the incline. At the flattest central point stood a church, intended as a refuge for anyone in need. It was a place of purpose. However, the ascent along the slippery cobbled streets proved to be more difficult than expected, turning what should have been a simple journey into a frustrating challenge as they stumbled and slid back to where they started. Stopping for a moment to ponder a solution, Zee turned to his son, Rez, who was still avoiding him. He called out but received no reply. Zee found his son's behavior perplexing and increasingly irritating. Raising his voice once more, he finally drew Rez's attention, who turned to meet his father's gaze with anger simmering in his eyes.
"What the heck, Lizzit? Answer me when I call! What's going on? I need your blaze gun. Did you remember to pack it?" Zee asked.
Rez nodded in agreement and unzipped his pack, revealing the red gun nestled inside. He grabbed it and handed it to his father. Zee took hold of the blaze gun and flipped the switch to power it on. As the weapon powered up, Zee moved back to the front of the pack. He aimed the gun at the slick roads and pulled the trigger, unleashing a torrent of searing flames from the nozzle. The intense heat scorched the ground, melting the ice in front of him and creating a clear path free from the chill. The flames burned so fiercely that they baked the stones beneath, trapping the heat within. Zee was now able to navigate the sloped streets with greater speed. It wasn't long before they found themselves standing before the towering doors of the cathedral, their minds open to the experience that waited behind. Zee ascended the stone staircase and gazed up at the cathedral's impressive height. As the doors swung wide, the warmth of the interior enveloped them, with the comforting heat seeping out into the cool air. A fat desert Badger stand looking out at them with a welcoming smile. He was dressed in from neck down in long warm brown robes. His hands covered with gloves to match.
"Good day or evening, which ever it is now, who knows anymore. How may we help you?" asked the friendly Badger.
"My company and I were visiting nearby cities to assist any survivors after the storm. It seems your town has been well looked after. However, there's one person in particular I'm trying to find. I just need to know that she's safe," Zee replied.
The badger welcomed them in from the biting cold. Inside, the warmth evoked memories of better times spent in the Arabian desert. As they took in the church's grandeur, the badger hurried off to prepare some hot cocoa and cinnamon raisin buns for them to enjoy. The ceilings soared high above, creating a vast expanse from floor to top. Each wooden feature was adorned with intricate carvings of celestial figures and mythical hybrids, depicting a once-fierce battle now laid to rest. The floors were a cool gray marble, while the pews were crafted from deep brown wood. At the back of the cathedral, they spotted an altar aglow with rows of flickering candles. Another badger, dressed in a robe, quietly tended to the flames, maintaining the church's tranquil atmosphere. Scattered throughout the pews were numerous hybrids and families, all turning to observe the rugged newcomers as they entered.
"I'm Friar Zeek, and this establishment belongs to me. My brothers and I manage it, ensuring it is ready for refugees during difficult times like these. You must be thirsty and hungry, so please, take some of these. I always keep them on hand for those who wander lost, just like you. May I ask your names my friends?" Friar Zeek inquired.
Zee downed the small cup of hot cocoa in one gulp. He then returned his gaze to friar Zeek, to reply to his question.
"Thank you for these delightful treats. My company and I truly appreciate them," Zee said, clearing his throat before continuing. "I am Zee, the leader of the Horned Lizard Militia under President Abaji. We oversee and maintain the Zenneth Ilhthid compound in the city of Nomad. This is my son, Rez, who is soon to take on the role of leader, along with my two nephews, Throk and Thriruuzk. During our travels, we rescued two groups of travelers. The first group we encountered during the storm consisted of Admir the mongoose and Solmar the Oryx, whom we picked up and offered a ride. Along our journey, we also found a second group—raiders Arif, Ghaffir, and Zakiyya from the Ghaythfa territory. Their vehicles had broken down while on a mission for President Saurkear. As I mentioned, we are traveling from city to city to seek out those in need of rescue, but I worry that my establishment will soon be unable to accommodate everyone. Additionally, I am searching for a young leopard gecko named Cornsilia. Have you seen her around here?" Zee asked, his curiosity evident.
It was too late, and Zee had realized his mistake. He had uncovered the identity of the two travelers before he could take back his words. Admir's heart raced, as did Solmar. They both peeked out from under their large scarfs to eye the faces of the raiders. All three had now been staring right at them with questioning eyes. Here it was the two-escape artist that had availed them on many accounts now standing right in their grasp, yet under the cathedral roof laws they were not permitted to harm anyone while in its sanctuary.
"Ah, yes, I know Cornsilia—what a dear and diligent worker she is! Just recently, she finished helping in the kitchen, assisting my brothers in preparing meals for our guests. I am grateful to her and to you as well. You are undertaking a significant responsibility that not many would choose to take on. Since you're working under Abaji, that makes perfect sense. If you have no more space, I can accommodate those who need rescuing. We have plenty of room in our two underground bunkers, which are safely hidden away and contain many rooms. I can gladly provide shelter for those in need until we figure out the cause and resolution of this situation," replied Friar Zeek.
Before Zee could respond to friar Zeek, the gruff voice of Arif spoke out, " I know what caused this mess, it was them, these two traitors of the world caused it to go bonkers."
Zee swiftly stepped in and silenced Arif, raising a hand. "Please, my friend, not now. We can discuss this later, just not here, not while we're in this sacred cathedral," Zee pleaded.
He turned back to Friar Zeek and smiled warmly. "Thank you for the information. I'm relieved to know she is safe, and I appreciate that you can provide shelter to those in need," he said politely.
Friar Zeek smiled and said, "You're very welcome, my friend. I can help you find Cornsilia if you'd like. I seem to have all the time in the world." The badger added.
"No, that's not needed; we're in a hurry," replied Zee. "I just wanted to make sure she arrived safely at your sanctuary. We need to get going, but we appreciate the treats and the information you've provided. As we continue our journey and come across more survivors, I'll be sure to direct them to this safe haven and let them know about you."
Zee embraced Friar Zeek before gathering his group together. Meanwhile, Admire grappled with the decision to flee or stay. She realized that with their pursuers standing next to them, escaping alone would be futile, yet they couldn't remain where they were either. They needed President Abaji's guidance and protection. Thus, she resolved to stay close to Zee. There were so many hidden truths among them. As Friar Zeek walked away, the group huddled closely together. Zee took the opportunity to deliver a quick speech, sensing the heightened tension—much of which stemmed from his mistake. He knew it was crucial to set some ground rules and dispel the negative energy before they stepped outside the Cathedral's walls.
"Admir and Solmar, I sincerely apologize for revealing your identities prematurely. The truth is, we're all aware that you possess two of the portal keys. Mayor Briven informed me about it during my visit to Wadi Rum. There, the seer had a vision of the devastation caused by bringing the two keys together. As a result, our worlds have been shattered, now existing as smaller floating islands. The territories are cleaved in two, leaving us as isolated kingdoms, much like Ghaythfa. I can't help but wonder if they drifted farther from the Nebula than we did. If they did, I fear they might not have survived; that realm would likely be locked in ice, along with all its inhabitants. Arif, you and your raiders are at our mercy, and you owe me a debt. I am showing you grace now, and I implore you to refrain from harming these two. They had no knowledge of the catastrophic consequences; any of us could have made the same mistake. Let's all head to Abajis Palace, where we can have him address these issues. I ask that you all promise to maintain peace until further notice." Zee pleaded.
Zee was right as usual; they needed clarity at which they wouldn't find by killing one another. He had shown the raiders kindness something they were not use to; to rebel now would only leave them as the monsters they truly were associated with. Rez tightened his grip on his gun as his father spoke, he was ready to attack if they made any sudden moves. Arif without a word moved his hand down to his pocket to pull something out. As he did, it triggered Rez, who quickly raised his gun and pointed it at the back of Arif's head. He yelled at him to stop what he was doing. Zee, filled with terror, rushed to push down his son's gun. He shook his head and urged him to stop. Fortunately, Arif remained calm and began to pull out a shiny object that emitted a brilliant white light. It had been glowing all along, sending rhythmic waves into the dark pocket. He felt the vibrations but didn't understand why the key was humming. Now that he had learned about the other two keys, he thought it would be a good idea to show what he had discovered. As he lifted it into the air, the vibrations intensified, and the light pulsed in his hand. Admir and the others were astonished. She slowly approached and revealed the two keys she possessed. As all three keys drew closer together, they pulsed with a mesmerizing light, as if they were communicating with one another.
"It is time we leave." said Zee.