Otherworld: A Son of Two Realms

Chapter 78: "Separate Ways"

Jack stepped out of the fountain, let Brigand's Bane fall from his grip, and sat down next to Alba. She lay pale and motionless but was breathing. Jack leaned against the fountain's rim, trying to make sense of what had just happened. What he'd just done.

Had that been magic?

Cautiously, he extended his hand toward Brigand's Bane. The sword shuttered, then crawled across the floor into his fingers. But he wasn't commanding the sword. He was commanding the air. All around, what had been the empty space between walls and objects was suddenly filled with currents of air. And they all moved at his command.

But there's no magic on Earth. Not even Cera–

"Jack?"

He looked up to find Talon rush into the hallway, sword at the ready, even as one arm was soaked dark red. Talon gasped and skidded to a halt as soon as he saw Cera. "He's..."

"Yes," Jack nodded.

"But how?"

Jack looked to Alba and glanced down at his own hands.

"Jack!" Kate shouted, running from behind Talon. "You're hurt!"

"I'm okay," Jack said, as she knelt beside him and cradled his head in her lap. She carefully examined his shoulder and he hissed in pain.

"Sorry. But we need to get this cleaned up. Alba too."

"Go for it." The pain receded. Everything receded. His eyelids drooped. "I'm not going anywhere." He smiled at her then closed his eyes and did not fight the exhaustion that tugged at his weary mind.

When Jack awoke, he was in his own bed, in his own room. Moonlight shown through a thin slit in the curtains. He felt fresh clothes on his body and a soft cast binding his ankle.

The crisp turning of a page brought his attention to the edge of the bed. Talon sat in a rocking chair, reading an advanced copy of Onward Against Death. He man seemed wildly out of place, in his blood-smeared battle armor and face marked with cuts and bruises.

Without lifting his eyes, Talon chuckled. "I forgot how much I hated this book."

"I wonder if it sold well," Jack said with a thin smile. "I hadn't even thought about it."

"You had other things on your mind," Talon said, closing the book. "Many of those were my fault."

In the night's silver light, Jack suddenly caught of a glimpse of Rufus sitting in front of him. "I wasn't sure you'd remember who you really are."

"You reminded me," Talon said. "And I'm sorry. That prophecy was a stupid mistake."

Jack laughed. "At least it came true. Sort of."

"At least it's over, then."

"Maybe." Talon look at him and Jack told him Cera's last words. Listening, Talon's mouth curved into a dark frown.

"Other worlds? Why didn't we ever consider that. When I return to Guildron, I'll search the archives for clues. But..."

"What?"

"As long as there is a danger, we can't keep an open portal between our worlds. After Alba wakes up, let her chose to return or stay, then I want you to burn the book."

Jack frowned. "But without the book..."

"It's too dangerous."

A sinking feeling took hold of Jack's stomach. There would be no way to return to Guildron. There would be no visits. "I can't do that."