Legends of Amacia Attack on Tartarus
Chapter 13: Revelations: part 1

Revelations: part 1

Five minutes after leaving the portal chamber, Selina sat alone watching over Leila as she lay on the gurney in Enoch’s quarters. She repeatedly glanced at the portrait of Thoth and Ariel on the wall, and then back at Leila, marveling at the resemblance between Leila and Ariel. While Leila slept, Electra, Kida, and Emma showed up with Arabella to take care of her. Elle, Josephine, Ana, and Amelia returned to their chores, spreading the word about Leila’s resurrection. In the meantime, Electra, Kida, Emma, and Selina undressed Leila and gave her a sponge bath while Arabella examined her medically. When they finished, they dressed Leila in a sleeveless knee-length silky black nightgown. Leila lay in such a deep slumber that even all the jostling they did to her didn’t wake her. Arabella marveled, as did the others, when they saw the number of scars. They also found the enormous scar where the ancient werack had bitten her. It was on left side of her abdomen. She had teeth marks from just a few inches left of her belly button down to her hip and up to just under her breast. The bite radius was a solid twenty-five inches and ran around to her back, reaching almost all the way to the spine. They also noticed the matching teeth marks on Leila’s left arm, obviously received when the werack had bitten her, pinning that arm next to her torso during the bite.

Emma, Electra, and Arabella were stunned at the raw beauty of the nude Leila. They kept glancing at the picture of Thoth and Ariel, and then back to Leila as Selina done earlier. They marveled how closely she resembled Ariel. Once they finished dressing Leila in the nightgown, they left Selina with her. Leila’s armor and old clothes were laid neatly in a chair with her sword and jewelry, including what appeared to be her wedding ring. Selina stayed close to Leila, combing her incredibly long flaming-red hair prominently streaked with silver-gray. It reached almost to Leila’s knees. Selina spent several hours grooming her, braiding her hair into a single long ponytail. Later that evening when everything was ready, Enoch, Kida, Josephine, and Selina moved Leila to Hannibal’s quarters, and laid her in the new bed just put there. Once Leila lay securely in her new bed, Enoch, Kida, and Josephine left while Selina helped Rachel get ready for bed.

Rachel looked on in fascination at Leila while Selina covered Leila with a blanket up to the chin. “She is so pretty, momma. Who is she?” Rachel asked.

“A true miracle, Rachel,” Selina replied. “Her name is Leila. She’s the twin sister of Ariel Caverias and is over twelve thousand cycles in age. We found her beneath the watchtower of Ezra Karac: her body perfectly preserved and maintained by an ancient machine that may be older than this Tower. Hannibal woke her up. She still doesn’t know that things have changed the way they have. That’s why we are going to let her stay here with us, so we can be close to her to help her adjust, just like we did for you.”

“You mean she’s really as old as Aeolus?” Rachel asked in great wonder.

“Not quite,” Selina replied. “But close. We do not know how old she was when she was put in the machine. Apparently, they put her in it temporarily to save her life, but it became more of a permanent thing, until now.”

Rachel’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Leila, breathing, “Wow. That’s amazing.”

Selina walked back to Rachel’s bed and sat down with her. “That it is, sweetie. How do you like the replacement limbs Tal gave you?” she asked.

“I love them,” Rachel replied. “But they do tend to wear me out some. Still, I’m getting pretty good with them now. I can do almost anything I want now.”

Selina smiled sweetly at Rachel, and then said, “That’s good. Now go and wash up. It’s time for bed. It’s getting late.”

“All right, momma,” Rachel said pleasantly, hugging Selina before taking off to the bathroom. Selina smiled as she looked at Rachel as she disappeared into the bathroom after retrieving her favorite nightgown from the dresser.

Just then, Selina heard a noise from Leila and looked over towards her. Leila was lying on her side, looking at Selina with a warm smile. “Is that your daughter?” Leila asked in English.

This shocked Selina, who replied, “How do you know our language?”

Leila smiled, saying, “I remember. It took me a while to remember how. It’s been a long time since I’ve spoken Kaitia, but now I remember. Is she yours?”

Selina walked over to Leila’s bed, sitting down on it. “Yes. She is, but not by birth,” she replied. “Hannibal and I adopted her after he rescued us from the Black Fortress. She has no one. The Emperor had her entire family killed and the guards in the dungeons ravished and abused her terribly. Part of the left arm from just above the elbow down and both legs from just above her knees down are replacements made by a very skilled craftsman. She still has nightmares of the abuse on occasion, but we have helped her deal with it. Slowly, Rachel is learning to cope with what happened to her with our help.”

“I sense a strange tale here. Forgive me if my speaking seems a bit jumbled at times,” Leila stated. “I spent a long time speaking human speech.”

Selina touched her on the hand, saying, “It’s quite all right.”

Only then did Leila realize she was wearing a nightgown and not her armor. “Where are my clothes and armor?” she asked pointedly.

“Never fear, sister,” Selina replied. “Look there in the chair: all of your clothes, jewelry, armor, and sword are there. Surely, we wouldn’t part you from it.”

Leila looked at it and sighed, saying, “Thank goodness. It is a little disconcerting to replace out that you have been undressed and dressed in something different without your knowing it.”

Selina patted her hand, saying, “I know what you mean. I’ve had it done to me several times. It tends to be very disconcerting at times.”

Rachel came out of the bath wearing her favorite nightgown, walking to Leila and Selina with a deliberate, purposeful gait. It showed she was still adapting to the artificial legs. Her eyes were glowing with fascination. “Are you ready for bed?” Selina asked.

Rachel nodded. “Yes, momma,” she answered, turning to Leila. “Are you really Ariel’s sister?”

Leila sighed and replied with a sober but tight smile, “Yes, I am little one. What’s your name?”

“I’m Rachel,” Rachel replied. “You’re so pretty, like momma, but you’re big like uncle Enoch. How’d you get so big and pretty?”

A slight blush colored Leila’s cheeks at the question. “Why thank you, little one,” Leila replied graciously.

Selina tucked her head slightly, smiling sheepishly at Rachel’s comment and question. “All right, sweetie. That’s enough; time for bed. There will be plenty of time to talk to Leila tomorrow. Tell her good night,” she ordered Rachel.

Rachel smiled broadly, saying, “Good night, Leila.”

“Good night, little one,” Leila replied, smiling sweetly.

“Come on Rachel, let’s get those things off you,” Selina said to Rachel, standing up. “I’ll be right back, Leila.” Leila nodded with a yawn. Selina and Rachel went back to Rachel’s bed where Selina helped her remove her prosthetic attachments. She laid them in a chair at the foot of her bed, and then tucked Rachel in, kissing her on the forehead saying, “Good night sweetie.”

Rachel smiled and replied lovingly, “Good night, momma.”

Every time Rachel did that, Selina’s heart fluttered. She absolutely loved and adored the child as her own. She went back to Leila and sat down on the edge of the bed. “How are you feeling now?” she asked.

Leila shifted slightly, saying, “Not bad. Still can’t do much and am still pretty tired. Tell me, you’re a Lynxian, aren’t you?”

Selina nodded, saying, “That I am, as is my sister Kida, and my mother Electra, and my father Nathanael, who are here as well.”

“Not to be prying, but how did you get here? As I remember, Kaitia is a very long way from here,” Leila replied softly.

“It’s a long story,” Selina admitted, “...a story best told when you’re stronger. But what about you? How did you get here?”

“My sister and I were born here, I think,” Leila stated with a bit of hesitancy. “My memories are still on the foggy side. It’s taking me some time to recall things from before I went to sleep.”

“It’s quite all right,” Selina replied, “Forgive me for asking so soon after you woke up. I should have known it would take you a while to recall things.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Leila declared with a weary sigh, noticing a chain hanging around Selina’s neck. It went under her blouse. “What’s that around your neck?” Leila asked.

Selina pulled the locket out of her shirt and Leila’s eyes got wide as saucers as she sat up. “Where did you get that?” she almost demanded, recognizing the locket.

Selina chuckled softly, saying, “From my husband, the man you first saw when you woke up. He got it from a giant bird called the Roc. He then gave it to me.” This proved only to increase Leila’s curiosity. Selina opened it up and showed it to Leila, asking, “You knew them, Thoth and Ariel, didn’t you?”

Leila became very quiet as she looked at the picture of Thoth and Ariel. “Can I hold it?” Leila finally asked in a soft, pleading tone. Selina took the locket from around her neck and gently dropped it in her hand. Leila looked at it like one who had lost the most valuable thing they ever had. Selina waited patiently as Leila stared at the picture, noticing that Leila was beginning to sob softly with tears starting to flow.

“What’s wrong, sister?” Selina asked gently in a consoling tone.

“Yes, I knew them,” Leila whimpered, ignoring Selina’s question. “My sister was taken and killed by the Emperor in front of Thoth. I never saw her again. I remember the day this image was made. It was such a happy time; the anniversary of their marriage vows if I remember correctly. It was just before Bolthor betrayed us and took the throne in the coup. No one saw his treachery coming until it was too late. We were close, so very close. Ariel was so very lucky to have Thoth. He was her whole universe. They were linked mind to mind.” She paused as she looked at Selina. “Oh, you look so much like her in your face and eyes,” she commented in a sorrowful tone. “I see her fire and compassion in you. How can you reflect so much of my sister and not be her?”

“I don’t know,” Selina admitted, touching Leila briefly on the hand. “But if I were your sister, I’d be glad Thoth and your husband Ezra found a way to save you. I know I would.”

“You’re so kind and compassionate, Selina, just like my sister. Thank you for being here,” Leila said softly as she handed the locket back to Selina. “It makes this strange awakening bearable.”

“You’re most welcome,” Selina purred, smiling warmly. “Besides, we’re family and family always looks out for each other.”

“Very well said,” Leila agreed, feeling a chill race down her spine at Selina’s words. “Even though I don’t really know you, I feel you are family for some strange reason. I hope to replace out why that is eventually.”

“Trust me, you will,” Selina insisted, holding on to Leila’s left hand with both hands. “And when you replace out why, you’ll realize you’re not alone in this world. Besides, I’m sure you and Josephine have much to catch up on since you two were best friends.”

“That we were,” Leila admitted. “I do remember that much, but I can’t believe what Bolthor did to her after she disappeared. She’s now more machine than woman.”

“But she’s free of the Darkness that Bolthor immersed her in,” Selina stated. “Josephine may be more machine than human, but she’s made a clean break with the Emperor and purged any influence he may have had on her through that abominable cybernetic programming. All methods of input by the Emperor and his Cadre were completely fused and destroyed, even the wireless connections. She’s a free soul now with the ability to choose her own fate. In a way, you and Jo aren’t that different. Both of you got lost in the Darkness that took the original Emperor and now, thanks to Hannibal and the Almighty Ancient of Days, both of you are free of that Darkness. Furthermore, both of you have the opportunity to see justice served on the Emperor and the fiend using him for its own selfish heinous ends.”

“I’d like to see that,” Leila declared, “Bolthor caused so much death and destruction to so many peoples and beings. He and the fiend that snared him must pay for what they did.”

“I agree,” Selina stated. “That’s why Hannibal is here. The Almighty chose him to finish this thing with the Emperor.”

“You mean the man I first saw when I woke?” Leila asked.

“Yes,” Selina replied. “He’s my husband. I’d give my life for him in a heartbeat.”

“I can see that,” Leila purred softly, “Your devotion to him is written all over you. It reminds me of how much Ariel loved Thoth.”

“Really?” Selina asked, genuinely surprised as she noticed Leila’s strength was returning faster than expected. She was able to move her arms without much difficulty, gesturing as she spoke.

“Absolutely; as I said, Thoth was Ariel’s entire universe,” Leila murmured. “And she was his. They gave their all to each other and to their family. He was so good to Ariel. Is your man good to you like that?”

Hannibal heard the question as he entered the room with a weary look. “I am,” he stated categorically, “but I could have done better in shielding Selina from the Darkness we encountered in this savage underground. I didn’t count on encountering the Darkness of my past down here in such a physical manner. It snared us both and we’ve paid a hefty price of our ignorance. However, the hell we’ve gone through at the hands of the Emperor has only galvanized our love and devotion to one another.”

Leila’s eyebrow rose at the passion with which Hannibal spoke. “Again, I sense a strange, even tragic tale here just as I sensed from Miss Selina here when she spoke of the little girl,” she murmured, focusing intently on Hannibal as he crossed the room to the bed. “You’re Selina’s man?”

“Yup,” Hannibal chimed with a warm smile. “She’s the best thing to ever happen to me. Selina saved me from myself so many times I can’t count. The only one I love more than her is my God who put us together: the Almighty Ancient of Days. Without Selina, I would not be the man I am today. I might not even be here at all. I’m lost without her.” He glanced at Selina with a knowing look that she returned.

“I can see that,” Leila stated. “You two remind me so much of Thoth and Ariel it’s frightening. What’s your name, young man?”

“Hannibal,” Hannibal replied, folding his arms across his chest in a casual manner, standing tall. “In what way do we remind you of Thoth and Ariel?”

“Well,” Leila answered, “You’re the spitting image both of Thoth and Beowulf, only smaller and more intense. In fact, your resemblance to Thoth’s boy Beowulf is uncanny. Did you realize that both Thoth and Beowulf would often stand just like that with their arms folded across their chests in that identical position? It’s right down eerie. And Selina’s kindness and compassion are so much like that of my sister I have trouble believing that she’s not Ariel.”

“I see,” Hannibal said softly, unfolding his arms and resting his hands on his hips while assuming a thoughtful sober expression. “I guess anything is possible given enough time. It may interest you that you’re not the only one to see our resemblance to Thoth and Ariel. Even we’ve seen it when we look at the few remaining images of our noble ancestors recorded in the Archives and on the wall of Enoch’s quarters. I’m still processing this reality myself.” Rachel coughed softly, getting Hannibal’s attention. “Just a moment, Leila,” he said, turning to Rachel seeing her watching and listening with a smile. “It seems we have an audience.” Walking to Rachel, he leaned over and patted her on the head, asking, “What are you doing awake, honey? It’s time for little girls to be asleep.”

“Can’t help it, daddy,” Rachel replied softly. “Leila is awesome. I love to hear her talk. I could listen to her all night. Her voice is like sweet music in my ears.”

Hannibal squatted down next to Rachel and asked, “Is that so?” He looked at Rachel, and then to Selina and Leila, asking, “Selina, do you know any Kaitian lullabies?”

Selina smiled, saying, “It’s been a while, but I believe I do.”

Hannibal grinned as he said, “Maybe we can sing her to sleep. I know she’s had a big day mastering those prosthetics of hers.”

“I have one,” Leila declared. “It’s one my mother sang to Ariel and me, and I sang to my children. It always put them to sleep without fail.”

Hannibal smiled, saying, “Then by all means go ahead, milady. Sing the Siren’s Song for Rachel.”

Leila composed herself for a few moments, and then began to sing a sweet melodious lullaby. Her voice was like velvet: smooth and sweet like that of an angel. It was no time before Selina added her voice to Leila’s because she knew that particular lullaby by heart: it was her favorite. Their voices melted together in a magical chorus that could put even the most energetic and stubborn child to sleep. Hannibal marveled at the pure beauty of their combined voices. It was so delightful it affected him, allowing his mind lapsing into a state of pure relaxed delight. It was almost like the special kisses he and Selina gave each other when they wanted to pleasure each other, but not quite. Rachel, on the other hand, was overpowered by the singing of the lullaby. It grabbed a hold of her and rocked her gently to sleep as if in a mother’s arm. By time they finished the lullaby, Rachel was sound sleep.

When they finished the song, tears of delight flowed from Hannibal’s eyes. He patted Rachel on the head and pulled the blankets up to her shoulders, saying softly, “Good night sweetie.” He then walked back to Leila and Selina with tears in his eyes. “That was absolutely the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard in my life,” he proclaimed emphatically, wiping the tears away, “You sing like angels...both of you, especially when you sing together. It’s so beautiful that there aren’t any words to describe it. It reaches into your very soul and lifts it. I know it did for me. It felt like a balm on my cold, wounded heart and soul. I’m humbled by such talent.”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Leila stated pleasantly. “It’s just a little thing I do.”

“Did you realize that was my favorite lullaby?” Selina asked.

Leila was genuinely surprised as she replied, “Really? I did not know that. As I said, this lullaby was one sung to me by my mother. Strange coincidence isn’t it.”

Hannibal pulled up a chair beside Leila’s bed and sat down, saying, “You could say that; just like my first meeting with Selina.”

Leila looked deeply into Hannibal’s eyes, seeing and sensing something very profound about him that she missed the first time she laid eyes on him. “What’s going on?” she pleaded while sitting up in her bed, “You can’t possibly be the Beowulf I knew. He was a good two cubits taller than you are and didn’t have that strange silver tint in his eyes. According to Caverias history, only Ragnar Omicron Caverias boasted the silver eyes. No one else in that line ever had any hint of silver in the eyes. Please tell me who you are and what has happened? Do you know what happened to my husband and to Thoth and Beowulf? I must know. I cannot sense Ezra at all, and we had a telepathic reporé. Why can’t I sense Ezra?”

Hannibal lifted an eyebrow as she spoke of Ragnar Caverias. He looked at her sympathetically and sighed, realizing Leila still didn’t know how much time had lapsed since her internment. “Very well,” he conceded, “...but I must warn you, you may not like what you hear. Much has happened since you last saw the sky. However, before I answer you, let me ask you something. What is the last thing you remember?”

Leila thought for a moment, and then her face fell some as she said, “I remember lying in a strange velvet line box that seemed an awful lot like a coffin, but I somehow knew it wasn’t. Its lid was open and the walls were lined with these odd glowing crystals. People surrounded me: friends, family, even my husband. Even though it’s hazy, I remember seeing my husband, the king, his son Beowulf, and Master Gordo. They are crying over me as if I’m dead, but I knew I wasn’t. God, you look just like the king only smaller and more intense, Hannibal. There was someone else there too, about your size, but I can’t remember what he looked like for the life of me. All I can remember is he was a human man and he too was crying. The only thing I can really remember about him was his voice. It sounded familiar, and a lot like you, but I cannot be sure. I just don’t know. Everything was so strange when it happened. Anyway, I tried to respond but couldn’t. I felt so helpless not being able to move or speak. My body was going cold and numb and my side and belly felt like it was on fire.” She instinctive touched her side where the werack bite was, saying, “I could feel my life draining away, and then nothing: just darkness as the world seemed to fade away like a ghost in the mists.”

Fear rose on Leila’s face when she spoke of the darkness taking her. Selina held her hand in emotional support saying, “Don’t be afraid, sister. That was long, long ago. The fear of dying and of the darkness is only natural.”

Leila squeezed Selina’s hand, declaring resolutely, “I’ve never feared death. It’s just a transition from one phase of existence to another. Everyone knew that. Even as the darkness took me, I didn’t fear it because I knew my fate was in the hands of the Almighty Ancient of Days. But I did fear for my family...what would happen to them if I died. Would they meet the same fate I did or would they survive the Emperor’s onslaught? Who would take care of them if they did? That tormented me far more than the fear of death.”

“I’m impressed at your faith, Leila,” Hannibal admitted softly. “Even at what you thought was the end your concern was for your family and not yourself. It shows how strong your love and light really are. I’m impressed. Not many people would have admitted to that. Do you remember anything else before the darkness took you? You admitted that you weren’t afraid to die. What did you feel as you fell into the dark?”

Leila sighed deeply, obviously troubled at her last memories. Tears welled up in her eyes and Hannibal scooted his chair closer. He reached out and held her hand. “It’s okay, Leila,” he cooed, stroking her long, slender hand gently. “You can tell us.”

“I tried to tell them I was still alive but couldn’t,” Leila sobbed softly. “They couldn’t hear me.”

“Did you see them close the sarcophagus?” Selina asked gently, horrified by the abrupt thought that Leila had been buried alive.

“No,” Leila whimpered, glancing at Selina. “I never saw them close it. As I said, the world seemed to fade away, consumed by the growing darkness. As the darkness closed in on me, stealing away my last moments, I panicked. I wasn’t ready to die, even though I didn’t fear death. I knew my work wasn’t finished.”

Hannibal again raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?” he asked.

“Yes,” Leila whispered, the horror of the darkness swallowing her evident in her tone. “But something very strange happened just before all the light went out.”

“What was that?” Selina asked softly.

“Just before I became completely lost in void of the darkness, I seem to remember a flash of light so bright it blinded me,” Leila replied in fearful puzzlement. “It was so bright I felt it penetrate every part of me, like a million suns erupted in one instant. The numbness and blinding pain from my wounds suddenly vanished, and an incredible peace came over me. A strange, loving voice whispered out of the light that everything would be all right, and I didn’t need to worry about my family. I can’t explain how the voice and light made me feel. It’s beyond my ability to describe it. Both the light and voice were so warm, so loving. That’s literally the last thing I can recall. At that point, I surrendered to the light and everything faded away into the light: reality, memory, everything. Could it be I really died?” She finally broke into open sobs, overpowered by her experience.

Hannibal abruptly moved from his chair, sitting beside Leila on the opposite side from Selina. He put his arms around Leila, embracing her in a brotherly fashion. “Let it out, Leila,” he cooed as she returned the embrace, crying on his shoulder. “That’s it. You’re such a pure soul to have been forced into such a difficult position. Release the horror, fear, and angst from this event. Release it. Share your burden with us so it won’t crush you. We’ll help you carry it.”

Selina embraced Leila from the opposite side, purring, “Hannibal’s right. You must release this burden and share it with us. You’re not capable of handling it alone. As I said, we’re family, and family helps one another without hesitation. We’re here for you.”

Leila’s sobs slowly subsided to whimpers as she drew Selina in for a group hug. “Thank you,” she whispered with great emotion and relief. “Thank you so much, both of you. I don’t feel so alone now.”

Hannibal let Leila out of the hug and looked her directly in the eye while holding her hand. “You’re not alone, Leila,” he declared, “You never were, even after the light snatched you away from the darkness. I’m so happy our God intervened, snatching you away from the darkness that terrible day.”

Leila wiped her tears away, asking, “What do you mean? I don’t understand.”

“Of course you don’t,” Hannibal replied, gently holding Leila’s hand while looking her in the eye. “And that’s not your fault. You’re just a pawn in this crazy sordid game, as we all are.”

“Don’t patronize me,” Leila snapped. “You know something about what happened to me, just as you know what happened to my husband, Thoth, and Beowulf. Stop beating around the bush and tell me already.”

“Very well,” Hannibal conceded with a sigh, “But before I answer you, I will ask one last time. Are you sure that you want to know? I ask this because there’s no going back once you hear the truth. What you’re asking for will change your perception of reality forever. Do you truly want to know?”

Leila heard the deadly seriousness in Hannibal’s voice, as well as his concern for her well-being. It sent chills down her spine and for a moment, she truly wondered if she wanted the answers. Both Hannibal and Selina noticed her wrestling mentally with the question. “It’s okay to say you’re not ready,” Selina declared, holding on to Leila’s arm. “Hannibal himself has asked the same question about things he wishes to know.”

Leila looked at Hannibal to confirm Selina’s statement. “She’s right,” Hannibal admitted softly, clasping Leila’s hand with both of his hands. “I have a large block of missing time, a black hole in my memories where my fears and nightmares reside; an area I cannot access no matter what I do. I know a terrible truth about me lies there in that missing time, but I fear what I may replace there. I’m not sure if I can comprehend or even cope with such a hideous unknown alone, so I leave it be until I’m driven by the Almighty to penetrate that darkness. Many have suggested my true identity and destiny may lie within the black hole of my missing time. At some point, I will share it with you, but not now. You have your own decision to make about your own missing time. If you decide you don’t want to know right now, I will understand perfectly. However, if you do want the answers you seek now, I will tell you the full truth of what happened, as I understand it. Furthermore, as you hear the answers, don’t despair. We’re here to help you carry the burden of this most important truth you seek. Remember, you are not alone in this.”

“Part of me doesn’t want to know,” Leila admitted, her tone reflecting her fear. “It wants to remain in blissful ignorance. However, the rest of me want it. I cannot rest until I know what’s happened to my family and friends. If I don’t know, it will drive me insane. Not knowing what happened to them and to me is a worse fate than dying. Tell me, please. What happened to them? What happened to me?”

“Very well,” Hannibal said softly, continuing to hold Leila’s hand. “I cannot refuse such a heart-felt plea. Since hearing what you last remember when the darkness took you, I think I can piece together what happened. You were dying when your husband and Thoth put you into that sarcophagus. There’s no question about that. The werack poisoned you when it bit and thrashed you on the walls of the Caveria Keep. I’m sure you remember how deadly the werack’s venom was.”

Leila paled, but nodded. “Yes,” she whispered, “I vaguely remember it, though the memory is elusive, dreamlike. I recall something monumental occurred on that wall beyond my being crunched by that infernal werack, but when I try to clearly remember, a fog shrouds what happened after the attack.”

“What do you remember?” Hannibal asked with more than casual interest.

“I vaguely recall hearing someone shout out a warning about danger behind me,” Leila murmured, still feeling the horror of the attack. “Had it not been for my acute hearing, I would have missed it. Things become very hazy at that point in my memory. I remember looking towards the warning, seeing a rather small human in what I think was platinum armor wielding an enormous sword coming to my assistance, cutting down all who impeded his advance. I didn’t get the chance to really see him, but I know I saw a battle rage on him that I’ve only seen in the Caverias family. I’m not at all sure I wasn’t hallucinating when I saw this man. I think I saw him shout and point urgently to something behind me. Ugh, the memory is so fragmented and dreamlike I can’t really be sure of it. The only coherent thing I truly remember about the incident is being chomped and shook like a rag doll by the werack right after I heard the warning. It’s a pain I’ll never forget, being between the jaws of that beast as it thrashed me. I lost consciousness at that point for I don’t know how long. When I came to, I remember searing pain and the mystery man looking down at me. But I cannot recall what he looked like. His face is a blur.” She shuddered visibly at the vague memory.

Hannibal put his arm around Leila again, giving her a gentle loving squeeze. “It’s okay, Leila,” he said softly, “I’m impressed you remember that much. Give it time. You’ll remember what happened when the time is right. At least you remember it. I cannot remember anything about that incident other than the nightmare I had of it.”

“What do you mean?” Leila asked, genuinely surprised. “What dream? Are you suggesting you’re the strange man who shouted the warning to me?”

“I’m not suggesting anything,” Hannibal insisted in a low, horrified tone. “But your account verifies many aspects of a particularly vivid nightmare I had of you in that terrible incident. It baffles me to no end why I dreamed of that particular incident. The dream itself is of such power and vividness that it feels like a lost memory. Did I really fall into a time warp and save you on that wall? God, do you know how insane that sounds? How I wish I was just a normal guy with normal problems.”

Leila gazed into Hannibal’s eyes, seeing his sincerity, hesitation, and fear. Her stalwart gaze made him even more uncomfortable. A gasp escaped her lips as the fog in her memory suddenly lifted from the face of the man in the platinum armor as he looked down at her. “It’s you,” she breathed in astonished awe. “How is this possible? You saved me that day. I remember your face now! It is you! I know it!” She swept Hannibal up in a grateful embrace. “Thank you!” she cried, “Thank you so much, even though I have no idea how you ended up on that cursed wall that day. You’re my friend forever!”

Hannibal returned the embrace, his face paling at Leila’s sudden revelation. “You’re welcome,” he murmured, his tone revealing his utter astonishment. “But as I said, I have no memory of it. The dream is my only connection to it. Are you sure it was me?”

Leila placed both her hands on Hannibal’s cheeks, looking deep into his eyes. “As surely as I live and breathe,” she declared. “It was you. As I saw the fear in your eyes just now, I realized I’d seen it before in that man. When that happened, the fog in my memory lifted just long enough for me to see the face of my savior. I saw the same fear, confusion, and sincerity in him that I see in you now as you speak of this dream of me. I have no doubt it was you, though I cannot fathom how you got there, or how you survived that madness. I would like to hear this dream you had of me, but first, I need you to tell me what’s happened to me. Where are Ezra, and the rest of my family?”

“Do you know what this means, Hannibal?” Selina asked. “Here is incontrovertible proof that you did indeed move back and forth through time warps. Leila swears the man who saved her is you. Now, you have two witnesses: Josephine, who monitored the battle of Caveria, and Leila, who was on the ground when you appeared. You cannot keep ignoring this.”

Hannibal stared at Leila in stunned awe. “You know it was me,” he asked, “You’re absolutely positive.”

“Yes,” Leila insisted. “I don’t remember much about the incident, but I remember hearing your voice and then seeing you crashing through the ranks of the enemy like a rampaging tarok trying to warn me. After the werack chomped me, I remember very little, but you were there looking down at me. I’d stake my life on it. You said Jo monitored the battle where I was attacked?”

“Yes,” Hannibal answered softly, still in shock. “She told me about it just before we opened your sarcophagus. She swears the sarcophagus is a stasis pod of ancient, possible alien make.”

“I shall have to speak to her about it,” Leila stated, “My memory of that incident is still fragmented. Maybe she can fill in the pieces.”

“That she can,” Selina stated. “But be ready to face a most gruesome truth when you do. What happened to you is not for the faint of heart.”

“Is it that bad, what I don’t remember?” Leila asked.

“It depends on your definition of bad,” Hannibal stated grimly. “The truth is often not what we think it is. What you just told us about me saving you in Caveria is exhibit A for that. I hoped that the dreams and nightmares of all those ancient places, things, and battles were just figments of my overactive imagination. However, you’ve revealed a truth that I’ve been reluctant to accept.”

“And what is that?” Leila asked.

“That I am one of a select few who have had the misadventure to travel through time and space through the warps,” Hannibal stated. “The archangel Gabriel insisted that I did, but like an idiot, I didn’t want to believe him. Now the truth is slapping me across the face. It seems I did travel through time warps on several occasions. You want to know of another incident in my life where I most likely fell through a time warp?”

“What’s that?” Leila asked, stunned by Hannibal’s admission.

“I have repeated dreams, just like the one of you,” Hannibal stated, “...but they’re of the Battle of Drakonia. From what I understand of the history I’ve managed to retain is that battle occurred nearly two hundred cycles before your wounding in Caveria.”

Leila’s eyes grew wide. “You say you were there?” she asked as her memory of the prophecies started coalescing.

Hannibal shook his head. “I wish I knew,” he stated grimly, “I don’t remember other than the nightmares of that battle. But with you and Josephine confirming my presence on the walls of Caveria, I’m forced to concede that it’s a real possibility. I’ll show you why it shakes me to the bone when you’re strong enough to go out.”

“What do you mean?” Leila asked. “How can you show me that?”

“I’ve seen images of the battle of Drakonia on cave walls, and in tapestries showing what appear to be me in platinum armor wielding a very large sword turning the tide of the battle,” Hannibal reported in almost a whisper. “One of those tapestries is here in the Tower. My father-in-law retrieved it from the royal quarters in Kaal Bek when they fled an attack on the city by the Emperor. In that tapestry, I appear to be standing on a boulder in platinum armor pointing my sword at the Emperor in his floating city while seven beings of unimaginable power stand beside me, holding the line. Beowulf is among them. I’m told these seven beings were the Elder Gods who followed the Dark Gods to this planet to stop them from destroying us.”

“Oh, my,” Leila breathed, astonished at the revelation. “I can see how that would shake you. The battle of Drakonia was legendary at the time I was attacked in Caveria. The man who appeared out of thin air turned the tide against the Emperor and the Dark Gods, severing their alliance with FATE. It’s said the man who appeared out of thin air vanished with the Elder Gods and Beowulf at the end of that battle when the Emperor blew up his Etherian warship rather than loose to the drakens and drakenites.”

“That’s what I’ve heard too,” Hannibal stated, regaining his composure. “But you’ve only seen half of why I’m so shaken by this time travel stuff. Do you have any concept of how long you’ve been gone?”

“No,” Leila stated softly, realizing Hannibal was steering the conversation back to her questions. “To me, it feels like only yesterday that I got lost in the light after my wounding. Just what are you saying? How long have I been asleep?”