Since the beginning of Time, there have been rules to all things, including shadows. Morgan was being dragged away in chains before his peers of time seekers and of seekers of Death, and other seekers
of things, they oversee regarding all the realms and galaxies around us.
That watch over all the worlds in the many galaxies, beyond the very looking glass of "Time" itself. For his many crimes of taking and bending the rules for himself, misuse of "Time," and the taking of life and their very souls for himself.
In the corridors where Morgan was being kept is an inner chamber. Off to the side, we find Morgan screaming in anger. "He's mine! The boy is mine! You can't do this to me!" Screaming, they dragged him down the hall, placing him before the Judge of Time known as Derrick, the new Judge of Time overseeing them all and the rules that bind them.
The guardians and minions among them along the walls, cloaked in shrouds of their many colors of office in which they hold and have held. Some from the beginning of "Time" itself. To place judgment upon him, the evil man and wizard known as Morgan as they circled about the room. They are waiting for the way overdue outcome.
Not far from the inner chamber lay his accusers as they pointed and whispered among themselves as Morgan ranted and raved, hissing about the room. He glanced back at them with his red glowing eyes infused with anger for what had been stolen from him. Believing Morgan and his small group of friends have the upper hand, Morgan smiles back at them, shaking his fist. "Lies I tell you- all lies," pointing around the room, hissing as he glares back at them. "The boy is mine! I tell you, mine! How dare you accuse me of stealing something that belongs to me?" He hisses back to his peers seated around the room, knowing most, if not all, of them and their guilt and the so-called petty little crimes they carry around them.
After all, he has many of them in his pocket and their very souls. Watching them while they walk around, talking, and thinking he will never get a chance to collect them. Even more so now, they believe they have caught him red-handed. Oh, he has no intention of losing, not now,
not ever. If it was not for that meddling Jeff Mandan and his so-called
friends. He would be free as a bird to do whatever he wanted.
The Judge slammed his gavel down, towering over the room, and shouted, "Enough!"The people in the room were either panicking, trying to free Morgan, or trying to prevent him from breaking loose again. Derrick, the Judge over the realms of time, glanced at Morgan, who was ranting and raving. The room fell silent, and whispers filled the air as everyone waited to see which side of the pendulum the new judge would take.
Morgan slumped back into his chair, sneering at the Judge. He thought of all the ways he could remove him, just like he had done with all his predecessors. "I'll tell you by what right I have, you old fool and all the fools in this room," he said. Morgan reached into his pocket and pulled out a contract signed by EJ's father, Jim Stuart, long ago. He pointed to the man's signature, signed in blood on the paper on the table. Then he pulled out a second contract, recently signed by EJ's mother, Linda Stuart, and laughed aloud.
"I have presented my evidence, Your Honor. The boy's body and soul are mine, and I demand them now!" shouted Morgan in a fit of rage. He shook his fists, frustrated that the magical chains prevented him from using his powers. However, he knew his peers could easily release him since he owned their souls. The room was filled with murmurs as the audience looked down at the table where the documents lay open for everyone to see, including Morgan's most trusted allies.
Nathaniel's name is Mr. Golden Eyes. Morgan's eyes locked when he gazed at Morgan, reaching over to the judge and whispering to his friends in the corner of the room. The Judge gazed sternly around the room again and patiently waited for the crowd before him to be hushed. Derrick smiles with a quick wink at Nathanial and his other friend, Jayden. Says, "And who speaks for the boy?"The Judge asked as Morgan hissed, daring anyone to come forward.
A figure stands walking in a white and silver cloak, his face shrouded, and steps forward to the Judge's bench. The Judge nodded to him to enter the room, and he stepped forward. As the figure stepped forward slowly in his shrouded cloak, he answered, looking at Morgan straight into his eyes as if to challenge him and then turning towards the Judge to see if Morgan recognized him. Jeff sees nothing in his eyes, stating his disguise is still in place. "I do," as he bowed to the Judge. "I speak for the boy, for I am his guide and guardian. He is bonded to me."
He said, pulling back his hood so Morgan could see who dared speak on the boy's behalf. The crowd gasped as they looked upon the face of Jeff Mandan, EJ's guardian. The once and far-removed White Solon believes that he had removed or thought he had been removed just like all his predecessors before him. His master, Hess, will not be pleased by this outcome, provided he can still salvage it.
Morgan screamed as he looked upon the young man known to the world he left behind as Jeff Mandan below him. "He lies!-He lies! This cannot be! I have won him fair and square!" Pointing to the contracts on the table. "They must be honored to the fullest degree according to the rules written before Time on the sacred stones of Glenna! You must give me my dues or face the consequences according to our laws? The boy is mine! You lost him!" Morgan screams, rattling his chains in anger.
The Judge again banged the gavel hard, causing it to crack. A loud, thunderous crack-echoed in the room as he turned to Morgan. "Enough!" He watched Morgan as he shrunk back as the Judge's voice echoed throughout the entire chamber. "I need proof that he belongs to you, and why should I give the boy to you? For he has not signed any of these contracts with you. Those are the rules written upon the sacred stones you dare speak of as you do evil deeds upon them, for your own purposes not but for evil reasons that instill war, chaos in all the realms known and beyond."
The Judge looks squarely at Morgan and his so-called minions, his friends, that he has a firm grip on their souls. Whom he plans to release from the very grips of Hell themselves this very day. Derrick pointed squarely at the young man, Jeff Mandan, the proper guardian of the boy in question. "Yet, he too has interest invested, and I know if without a doubt is surely bound to you. Bring me proof and show me where this boy's future lies."
The Judge gazed over at three shrouded figures in the council corner. Nathanial, Mr. Golden Eyes. Lady Luck, aka Jasmine Hentari, and known to some Barbara Hasteners, currant world job and disguise as Social Services for Family Services, and at least not forget Mr. Jayden Faith. Current role of Death warrior and dearest friend to all members present. Current Job Jr. High School Music teacher and watcher of the boy or boys in question. "What of me?" Morgan sneers. He realizes he will not get what he
has worked so hard for over the many centuries: Morgan and his Master Hess, colleague, friend, and mentor, and many that have joined their cause. "Take him away for misuse of time and these and his other crimes against the realm of life," the judge said, folding the contracts up and placing them into a secure box. ''And as for those, we will hold onto them until we can determine whether these contracts were gained true-fully according to the sacred stones of Glenna and determine his full sentence for all your crimes."
Derrick, known as the Judge the Overseer of Time, retrieved a secret ledger of souls from his hidden pocket. Morgan had been guarding it for centuries, but now the time had come for the souls to be released. Derrick spoke words of power, calling forth the damned souls that Morgan had trapped. These souls, of various degrees of evil, had walked through Time, and now they would be judged fairly in this very court. Derrick, the overseer of Time, declared them judged and released them, giving back their soul and life essence and releasing them from their eternal torment. A beam of white light descended from the sky, creating a translucent portal. Numerous souls walked towards the light, led by those once alive, and passed into the heavenly light. The Lady of Light, who gives and takes life, vanished from the world as she awaited her successor to take her place among the living.
Morgan cried out in defeat. Every soul he had gained over the centuries walked to that light. Morgan screamed in rage, watching the portal close and his victims gone, all except for the two in that accursed box sitting on the Judge of Times desk as if it was a throne, and they were now his own personal treasure. The Judge of Time looked down at the raging Morgan in chains and pointed in his direction as he said, "Take him away and triple the guards on his cell."
Morgan laughed hysterically as he was dragged back to the corridors to his cell. "This is not over, my Old Friend! You can count on it. This war has just begun. You and everyone here will be kneeling at my feet for all Time and eternity. That is what is said in all the Prophecies. The Dark Prince will rise once more upon the lands, and we will take the Five Keys of Destiny from your cold, dead hands and become gods. Nothing, not anyone, can stop me, for I have already won."
The Judge takes his right hand and yells with all the power he can muster, which was not much considering how much he had just used to raise the dead and the Damned from Morgans's little band of souls he had been gathering over the centuries, which had been in the thousands. The words of power strengthen him with cost. "Nera dutray-set." Listening to them echo as the wind and thunder shake these halls and golden words are written as they are spoken upon the sacred walls of time. "Together, we rise and watch you fall. For the stars in the very heavens will not let that happen. Morgan, I give unto you a new prophecy that you will see before the end of your days, which are coming sooner than you can blink an eye. "Coraday, -drangnate, -deaset." Everyone in the chamber watched as the words were written on the walls in gold embossed
bold writing.
"I, Derrick, the Judge of Time, hold the Time scrolls that contain the truth. Before you, I swear on the stones of Glenna that what I am about to say is true. Morgan Termes, the oldest son of Glen Termes, the Master of Light, and Miele, one of the four Sisters of Nature beyond all realms and in between and into the stars themselves, is destined to go to the very depths of Hell."
Derrick said as the Judge of Time lifted just two of the five sets from around his neck, listening to the gasps around the room. Including Morgans as his eyes hungrily gazed upon them, watching them glow white with enhanced power. "That this will come to pass. May the demons of all the worlds and beyond feast upon your very soul for all eternity." Derrick leans forward and says the words ending the spell as it burns bright in the air, encompasses Morgans' body and writes it on his very black soul-the words spoken on the same courtroom walls themselves. "To ensure this happens," Derrick activates the spell and says 'Norta-Daydeternm-vesta gradaen.' Take him away, boys."
"Yes, your honor," the Judge's councilors bowed and rose to watch the Judge and his chancellors dissipate into a bright light, leaving the room. The young man known as Jeff Mandan meets with his friends, Mr. Golden Eyes, and the three other shrouded figures in the room near the boy's defense table, staring into the distance around the milling group of people still in the chamber.
"It looks like we're in deep trouble, Jayden," Mrs. Jennings said,
surveying the room and the golden words on the walls, which seemed to have been written by a deity with immense power. This is a challenging problem and situation we are facing."
"You can say that again," Jayden replies.
"You have any idea how we're supposed to determine the boy's future and keep him out of Morgan's reach, providing if he ever gets out?" Mrs. Jennings asked, watching the young man strolling over to them. Mrs. Jennings watched him and then recognized the young man. "Jayden, isn't that?" Pointing to him as he whispers. "The man EJ knew long ago?" Jayden looks at him with a closer view. "Yes, it is why?" Knowing more, he should consider the company he keeps now and lately of the
many centuries.
"Well," she smiles, "I have an idea, but I don't think you're going to like it," as she whispers her plan.
"You're kidding?" He asked as Jayden looked straight at her. "You got a better one?" Mrs. Jennings asked.
Jayden watched the young man talk to some of their other colleagues in the room. "You got a point. You do realize we could be breaking some rules."
"None of the rules that Morgan himself has not already broken." "True, they did watch him make a doorway as he slipped by them.
But this might also put them and EJ over the edge if we do what you suggest. That boy is scared enough as it is," Jayden said, watching the young man across the room.
"I realize that, but what's worse, Morgan or him? Besides, I do have an outside contact the same as you if things get too bad. It's precarious, but what choice do we have? Time is running short for both of them. Sooner or later, they are going to meet again regardless. Unless?" Mrs. Jennings pointed down the corridor towards Morgan's cell.
"I know," they shiver. I just wish we had more time, that's all."
"Well, let's go introduce ourselves at least." She said that as she began walking, Jayden followed her to the young man. Mrs. Jennings went first, nodding as she made her way through the crowds of people in the room. "You must be Jeff Mandan; we have heard so much about you." As she shakes his hand, "My name is Mrs. Barbara Jennings, or should I say." she whispers, "Mrs. Lady Luck, but you didn't hear that from me, son," as she smiles. "And of course, this is my good friend Mr. Jayden Faith, the seeker of Time himself or one of them laughing around, "and I see you have already met Mr. Golden Eyes." Death minion known as Nathanial. "Yes, he and I go back a long way,"Jeff smiles. I'm glad to meet you all." "Now then, as you know, we have been assigned to your case," replied Mrs.Jennings as they all gazed down the corridors toward the holding pins. "Yes, so I have been told," Jeff glancing over at Mr. Golden Eyes as
he nods back.
"Anyway, nasty business if I must say so myself, and I do. Bending Time, misusing oneself for personal gain. Oh my, we have people going and coming this way and that with no control at all, not to mention his evil killings and massacre. If we all did that, look at the mess we would all be in. That is why it is up to us to make sure there are rules, and they are followed," she said.
"Then, of course, Time is not endless without a little death or, in our case, life, with a little extra adventure on the side. Leaving us all with chores to keep us busy and have fun. But there is a limit. Oh yes," Mrs. Jennings said, smiling back at Mr. Golden Eyes. "Take him, for example, he has been doing that job for over let's see now," thinking. "Hum, two thousand years, give or take a century or two. I am just working on my fourth now-Oh, how rattle on," slapping Jayden on the back. ''Anyway, son, what we are trying to say is. Welcome to the group. We may have a solution to our slight problem, but first, we need some details if you would not mind passing on some old history, as some may call it." Mrs. Jennings replied.
Jayden finds them a seat in a corner where they can talk without being disturbed. "Now then, my first question is?" Mrs.Jennings looked around the small room, making sure the four could hear each other, dosing the room just for them using a simple spell waving her wand, saying "Nestra." "That's better, much quieter; as I was saying, my first question is how you are bonded to this boy, and what is this all about?" She asked.
"That's the strange part." Jeff thinks way back to where it all began. "There I was-," as he tells his story of how he died and came to be. They had heard things like this before, so they were not particularly shocked by the little neon about how a person dies because it was all in the extra details not told in humanity's history or their reality. The how did or why does not seem all that important. It was just another cycle of life or a string of circumstances. "Then, next thing I knew, I was assigned to him forever; they told me to stick to him like glue."
"I see. A death bonding. Strange has not been one of those in a long time, that's for sure," replied Mrs. Jennings.
"But then I lost him somehow; I cannot explain it. I was on his trail for two years. I think. Then he was gone right after as if something or someone was blocking me." As Jeff looked toward the holding cells. "Then I found him again in here wandering the halls two years or so ago, but I wasn't allowed to make contact due to-."
"I know, rules," Mrs. Jennings blurts out.
"So, I did the next best thing I could do and gave him dues to help find his way back."
"I see."
"And now this." Jeff pointed to Morgan's location. Jeff began to cry, putting his head in his hands. "What will I do if I lose the bond and the boy? I'll be destroyed. And have nowhere to go. You see, we are intertwined like two peas in the same pod. My destiny could be altered, and so could his if Morgan interferes." Jeff wiped his tears as he glanced at the three of them.
"I see." As they nod, Mrs. Jennings tries to comfort him, "Shush now, all is not lost yet, son," putting her arms around him. "You and he can still get what you want," as they try to console him."Believe it or not, Morgan has done you a favor, if he knows it or not."
Jeff looked up at them as he wiped some more tears for a moment, "how?" He asked.
"One. You know where the boy is now, "two," looking around the table. You have friends now that can help, so put those tears away, "she said. Jeff wiped his tears with the back of his hand and looked at his new friends in the room. "This is what we're going to do," Mrs.Jennings replied as they leaned forward.
Jeff stares back at them,' 'Are you sure? That's risky, and I mean risky,
to bring them into it."
"Jeff dear, they are already part of it." Barbara quickly nods to Mr. Golden Eyes, a mischievous smile playing on her lips, as they enthusiastically give him the vivid details of the last adventure at the hotel. "I wish I could share more, but the Gods of Light themselves have put a muzzle on my tongue if you know what I mean."
However, what I can share is that the four older Downing children, Julie, Anna, Robert, and Will, have been awakened with the knowledge of the Truth and the Light and have visited distant realms and times to be taught about their gifts. From there, they each had to embark on a journey to unlock their individual "Gifts of Sight," bestowed upon them by the benevolent Gods of Light."
Barbra's whispered words were barely audible, even though she had taken precautions to ward against eavesdropping. She wasn't about to take the chance, knowing the potential consequences.
"I am currently refrained from going into details, but I can give you the highlights regarding their journey and things they have done or learned, in for the moment, but I can tell you this because they have each informed their parents, and soon it won't be a secret much longer for the rumors are already circulating around here.
Julie possesses the extraordinary gift of being dragon-born, entwined with the mystical forces of magic. Anna, her younger sister, possesses the enchanting powers of fairy magic and an extraordinary affinity for dragons. She has not yet reached the age for that, but she will be eligible in the upcoming years. Their brother Robert has the remarkable ability to be an oracle, allowing him to see into the past and future. He has a one-of a-kind talent for manipulating time, even if it's only in small increments. For now, at least.
According to our experts, Robert's emergence as one of the most formidable oracles of this time significantly affects the present and others Will is renowned among the woodland elves for his extraordinary strength, mastery of rune magic, and linguistic abilities.
So see they are already a part of it, the hotel was just a small event, but could have been a lot worse if Nathanial hadn't cleaned up Morgan's mess, by leaving a personal calling card.
Mr. Golden Eyes said. "Not to mention what he just pulled the last time, showing his true self in front of them," as they all looked down the hall. "So, I am afraid an insignificant risk may be needed from all of us. And I don't mean just you; we have built lives on the other side of his reality. That could go the wayside if we are not careful, except for mine; of course, I am too old to be Dill-a-Dalling around and looking to retire this summer. Even found me a sweetheart to finish my years with."
Smiling back at Barbara and Jayden on the other side of the table, "Risky it may be. Heck. I will risk a little for love if you do not mind. Because it has been a long time since I have had a little fun, and it's payback time," Mr. Golden Eyes said again, gazing down the hall.
"Look, they already know of you, they just have never seen you. Besides, I still have a few aces up my sleeve. You are supposed to be a ghost; act like one, and you will be fine. The boys will never know the difference unless you get too carried away like our friend Morgan." Jayden said as they all sat up looking and pointed down the hall laughing.
"True, I am supposed to be dead," Jeff laughed at himself in these things. "They don't need to know what I actually do except for the boy, and that's still to be determined if we can pull it off."
"Well, then it settled," Jayden said, shaking hands, "well, we will do it for the boy.
"Agreed," well, I better get back before I'm missed," Jayden looked down at his watch, "my gal will be looking for me," as he laughed and dissipated out of the room.
Barbara hugged Jeff. "If you need me, just, O' heck, you know where
to find me," as she smiles and dissipates with a quick giggle. "Try not to have too much fun."
Mr. Golden Eyes was a little more creative as he left the room. "Remember, kid, you're dead, you'll be just fine." He said closing the door behind him, laughing as someone screamed on the other side of his doorway Ahh, that's better," as he laughed, "Another one bites the dust, see ya, kid," poking his head through the door.
Jeff laughed, leaving his room's confines, and wandering the corridors' halls. "Yes, I might just do that," seeing a door of time appear on the side, "after all, like they said, I am dead, and a ghost like me does need a little help from friends now and then," closing it carefully into the shadows.
Jayden and Barbara walked down the road towards New Downing out of the shadows, checking their mask of illusions, "ahh, that's better," laughing at one another. "Well, friend, looks like we have our work cut out for us, Jayden?" Barbara said, gazing towards New Downing.
"You can say that again,"
"By the way, you haven't seen my partner Mr. Wells anywhere; he's been missing for days?"
"No, I haven't, sorry."
"Strange, it is as if he left the realms," as she looks down the road.
"If I hear anything, I'll let you know."
"Thanks," she says as she waves and heads towards her car. After all, it would look strange if people dissipated out of nowhere into broad daylight as she giggled, "Oh my," looking down at her shoes. "These won't do," quickly changing them in the shadows. ''Ahh, that's better."
Jayden stopped at the flower shop before going home, picking up a nice dozen roses for Lizzy with a thank you card between them and a box of her favorite chocolates for teaching his class while he's been away, humming a merry old tune. Checking his pocket for that extra little special surprise as he smiles. "I wonder if she'd like a wedding in the spring instead of June-?"