Echoes of a Shattered Age by R. J. Terrell Read Free Book Online Page B

Kenyatta looked at each other in confusion. Now seemed as good a time as any, but they didn’t argue the point.
    “Well, I guess that’s it then,” Kenyatta said as he clapped his hands together. “So, why don’t you jyas whip up a quick shortcut to Japan for us and we’ll be on our way.”
    Taliah shook her head. “Oh, ya don’t think it’s going to be that easy now? I’m sure you two plan on doing some training right?” The two friends nodded hesitantly. “Then,” she continued, “the perfect time to do it is on the way to Japan, so why don’t ya both just hike it.”
    Kenyatta’s mouth fell open. “You suppose we strokin’ across the ocean to get there, or are we gonna be rowin’ a boat the whole way?”
    Taliah shrugged helplessly. “I told you. You’re going to need to be strong, which means no easy rides for you. You need to survive the elements and hardships of the world without assistance.”
    “And why is that?” Kita asked, arms crossed.
    “Because the elements themselves are part of what you will face when you do begin the fight,” Taliah answered. “Some demons can manipulate the things around them, and you should be prepared for anything. Also, there are many dangers that will come your way between here and Japan. That will be your training. If there is one last thing I can say to prepare you, it’s this. When demons are brought from the abyss, they inadvertently awaken a lot of evil that already exists in this world. You will encounter these things along the way and it will prepare you …” she hesitated, “… somewhat, for what’s to come. You will get a taste of what these things are capable of. You must trust me on this. If you were to fight a demon right now, you would be not prepared for it. They are like nothing you’ve seen before.”
    Kita looked at Kenyatta. “I hate to admit that she’s right, but she is.” That brought a groan from his friend, but no rebuttal.
    After some light conversation, Taliah decided to stay in Jamaica for a while and visit. She spent some time alone, probing her thoughts and feelings. Although she felt that the fighting that her brother and Kita did was not her way, she still could not deny an inner desire to take part in the fight. She did not want to stay in the background and play a subtle part. The young woman wanted to be at the front of the fight with her brother, to stand beside him and his closest friend in what would be the greatest battle the world had ever seen, and ironically, few on this world would even know about. They had missed too much in each other’s lives, she and Kenyatta. Their grandfather had sent her to the Caribbean to study with her aunt over the summer. When she returned, she was told of what happened to their grandfather, and where Kenyatta had been taken. Fortunately, Kita’s father had left information with a trustworthy neighbor so that Taliah could find him.
    Now they were together only to be separated again, with those two off on another adventure, and she only helping from behind. With a sigh of acceptance, Taliah went into her brother’s house to have a cup of his famous fruit tea. She sat sipping her tea and gazing out the dining room window at the ocean. Humanity has been given another chance that so many are unaware of. Now this. She closed her eyes, feeling the ocean breeze sighing through the window to caress her face. Could they protect this world they had nearly destroyed, or would it be destroyed by the abyss itself?
    ***

Chapter Seven
    Brit stood unmoved in front of the fourteen-foot-tall monstrosity. He wouldn’t give the thing the satisfaction of seeing any type of emotion.
    “Who summons me?” the demon Kabriza rumbled.
    “My name is Brit, and I have summoned you. I wish to enlist your assistance in a goal that might prove of mutual benefit.”
    The hideous creature cocked its head in amusement. “There is nothing a vermin of this dimension could offer that would be of interest to