69

Sugar-Coated Nightmare

Without warning, the uneven passage downward came to an abrupt end. Deilune had led the way, the Kareima's pulse within his chest providing the guiding light. From behind, the Fareima's more fiery light made it seems as if a fresh river of lava was about to catch up and swallow them in Beilla’s molten anger. The warmth in the confining passage had continued to increase until Deilune squeezed around a tight corner and unexpectedly stepped into an enormous chamber.

The effect was dramatic: mighty stalactites and stalagmites that, in the combined light of the Kareima and Fareima, appeared as red and blue tree trunks holding up the cavern's high vaulted roof. It was part old growth forest, part cathedral, part disco dance hall.

Deilune took Linda's hand, ready to explore, when Beilla's voice stopped him. "This is the place. It is just as I imagined it."

"What do you mean?" Deilune asked.

"You know the legends, Deilune. This is where Hawk brought the Kareima to Feodeim, our le Breima, in his greatest hour of need. It is the heart of the mountain. The Astreima is at hand. Can you not feel it?"

Even Deilune sensed a truth in Beilla's words. His own heart, the Kareima, was glowing with anticipation. "How will we find it?"

"The legend speaks of a heart-shaped entrance. We must search for it."

"Heart-shaped?” Linda, buoyed by Deilune’s defiance, quipped. “How romantic.”

“Fools! You still doubt?” Beilla asked, arcing his hand across the incredible chamber.

“Then, tell us, Beilla, what is our role in this? Deilune insisted.

"You bear the Kareima. The three stones will be united," he explained.

"And Linda and me?"

"That is up to the Tireima. None of us knew the power of the Kareima could revive you. Without it you may perish, or you may not," Beilla stated matter of factly.

"What if we were to refuse to help?"

"Abzeig will kill you as he did once before."

"What if he can't kill us? The Kareima is quite unpredictable on that account."

"True, and I have suffered under that misgiving, but I am wagering that you may be willing to risk death again yourself, but you are not willing to risk your lovely American wife."

Deilune paused for a moment to catch Linda’s eye. "But, if the Astreima is really down here, what you plan to do may kill us anyway."

"True. Then again, when the Tireima is formed, it may empower you in ways that might destroy me." Beilla smiled slyly. "You see, Deilune, even I, who you consider evil, must take risks. You think I am mad because I dream of greatness for Lebreima. For that I am willing to risk my life.”

He paced quickly and the Kareima around his neck glowed brighter. “I have truly served Lebreima, but your father, Weirhamatt, and my own brother view me as a criminal. It is not a fair appraisal. When history is rewritten, even your children will think differently."

"About the man who killed their parents?" Deilune mocked.

"About the man who made sacrifices for a new world."

"And my parents called me trajeime."

Beilla barked, "That was for turning your back on Lebreima!"

"Oh, so now, my former murderer and present kidnapper is trying to lay a guilt trip on me?"

"That is for you to decide, Breima. I have not made this world the crazy place it’s become. The Tireima will correct that."

Deilune sighed. He gestured at the bizarre nether world surrounding them. "Look around you, Beilla. This place has nothing to do with any world that is real. You know we’re all going to wake up from this bad dream with one splitting headache." He turned from Beilla towards Abzeig who raised his gun, blocking the way they’d come.

Taking Linda’s hand Deilune led his wife towards the center of the chamber, muttering, “A heart-shaped opening? What kind of sugar-coated nightmare is this?"