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In this excerpt from the eleventh chapter of “Evergreen: A Space-Time Odyssey,” as Gaia's journey continues, your mind will be stretched in unimaginable ways. Gaia and her four companions now must penetrate the Great Falls to travel beneath Lake Augur to an underworld of iridescent plants and bustling insects called Kwak'walans. If you haven't already done so, please read "Flight of the Chrysalis: Part I (CH4 in full; available at my Author's Den website) before you begin this excerpt. I hope you enjoy this snippet of the “Evergreen” odyssey!
Two hundred miles west of Mesequoya, four battle-scarred escorts plod wearily along just above the eastern mountain peaks of the Grand Divide. On the horizon ahead, Evergreen’s two suns finish their arc of descent one by one. The brilliant light of the highest and farthest sun filters through the clouds to produce intense highlights of orange and rose. The deep golden glow of the closest sun, now nearly hidden behind the tallest peaks of the Grand Divide, signals to all animates throughout the land that the bronze evening sky will soon appear.
Flying on a northerly path with Gaia resting comfortably in their grasp, the four butterflies clear the tips of thousands of evergreens. A strong, humid breeze rushes across their bodies and slows their pace. Off in the distance is a steady thunderous roll. At once, they are struck with a breathtaking vision. Gliding out from the forest’s edge into the abyss of an immense ravine, each escort butterfly takes in the grandeur of the sight. The countless miles of tree-lined mountain peaks abruptly give way to a gray stone ridge that drops several miles straight down to the water’s misty surface. Covering the jagged face of the stone ridge are large, ancient roots and wide, partially-leaved branches that have found their way through the rocky surface to sunlight. Hundreds of cave openings in various shapes and sizes also cover the ridge. The sight of a flock of ospreys hovering outside a small cave opening below gives rise to some uneasiness among the four escorts, in light of the earlier trauma inflicted by silver-beaked blackbirds.
“They’re in my sight,” says Gaia reassuringly to her companions in flight. “Please continue on.”
The presence of Gaia provides the group with a sense of security and confidence. It’s not just her words that provide comfort to the large winged creatures she entrusts with her life. Nor is it the unworldly power she revealed earlier in the day when attacked by angry blackbirds numbering in the thousands. To her escorts Gaia is an enigma, an innocent butterfly pupa embodied with powers of an enchanted warrior veiled within a delicate gold and teal-rippled cocoon. In their short time together they have developed a deep reverence and respect for Gaia. They now see her for more than she appears to be and understand that the journey foretold by the Golem is more important than ever imagined.
Flying into the breeze on a heading that takes them away from the steep stone ridge, the escorts veer to the right and circle downward.
“Ahead, just above that thick bare branch, there’s a cave large enough to hold us,” Gaia instructs the group. “We’ll rest there until the suns cast their final rays. At that time, the key will be revealed to us.”
The four escorts acknowledge the command without hesitation. With swiftness and grace, they land just inside the cave and gently rest the chrysalis on the damp, musty floor facing the entrance. Each escort, also facing the cave opening, remains still and vigilant at Gaia’s side, like soldiers not yet at-ease.
As the butterflies wait patiently, their attention turns toward the disquieting thunder of cascading waterfalls across the ravine. Atop the miles-high falls are three rocky crests that are as far above them as the water’s surface is below. An endless torrent surges from each crest to the bottom of the ravine, like an ocean pouring its contents off the edge of the earth. From their vantage point in the cave, roiling clouds of mist are all that they can see below. Directly above, rainbows of various intensities seem to touch the falls and reach across the ravine. Moments after these colorful archways appear, they vanish like apparitions, depending on the suns’ locations and the amount of moisture in the air.
With echoes of wind and rolling thunder defining the stillness in the cave, Gaia decides to break the silence of the moment. Through her partially shredded and largely transparent cocoon, she addresses them in a heavy voice.
“My brave friends, I feel many battles lie ahead, but I do not know when or where they will be fought. I fear there will be many losses, but I do not know who they will be or the extent of the peril.”
Each butterfly turns to look at Gaia. She stares out into the ravine, pondering her next words. The reality of her candor catches them off-guard. She looks directly into the eyes of each escort, one at a time, and continues in a more willful tone.
“While I have never seen the faces of those who plan to harm our kind and end this crucial journey, they are our true enemies. They influence the minds of those weaker than themselves. Once in control, they have their minions carry out their evil plans.” Gaia lowers her head slightly. The deep, leathery ridges above both sets of her eyes lower at the center and wrinkle. “It is clear to me,” she continues, “that I am here to confront them, one at a time, and end such ... incivility.” Once again she stares out into the ravine. Several large rainbows appear and soon vanish. She seems to ignore them.
Gaia’s four companions gaze in awe at their special friend. Slowly, they break from their trances and join Gaia. The group peers out across the ravine at the beauty and vastness of the falls. A thick, cool spray reaches into the cave and wisps around them. This provides some refreshment for the weary travelers as they await the last leg of their momentous journey.
Several hundred feet above, legions of birds clear the tree-lined mountain peak and quietly descend into the ravine in search of their own cave openings. Some are larger birds of prey who are governed by Syrus – the feared ruler of all winged carnivores throughout the land. Others, like the silver-beaked blackbirds, are less under Syrus’ direct control. Instead, they joined the crusade to exact revenge on Gaia and any insect who supports what she did to thousands of their kind during the morning hours. Within minutes these savage marauders crowd into cave openings and await further orders.
As the day’s final beams of light cross the misty ravine, a golden glow is cast across the miles-high stone ridge. Close inspection of the uneven ridge reveals quiet shadows stirring within the darkness of the cave openings. In one of the larger caves rests Taggart and members of his flock. Taggart, a dark green and gray osprey, is an important leader in Syrus’ crusade. Once he and his operatives learn of the location where Gaia plans to complete her journey, Taggart will take this information back to Syrus.
One hundred miles south of the ravine, Syrus rests in his den and awaits Taggart’s arrival. Privately, he prepares a most impassioned dialogue to inflame his winged legions that continue to multiply in the ravine. The ancient warrior plans to define a new threat to his followers and the forest throne. He is consumed with visions of the conquest. His goal is to eliminate the most serious challenge to his reign in three centuries. The speech will be delivered at daybreak.
Impatient, Syrus begins to prepare for his journey. With great concentration he rakes his sharp, blood-stained teeth through the long, faded upper feathers of his massive wings. With even greater care, he uses the sharp claw at the end of each winged forearm to pick animal and insect remains from between the jagged teeth that line his scarred, leathery beak. Syrus then inserts his right claw into the socket where his eyeball has long since decayed. Proudly, he recalls the only physical sign of his last battle for the forest throne. Cautiously, he moves the claw in circles around the socket, penetrating thick spider webs and some forest debris. He shovels out its contents.
Disturbed in their home, dozens of angry wolf spiders scramble from Syrus’ eye socket and jump down to his large nest below. Within seconds all of the spiders find refuge in nearby branch crevices and away from the few streaks of light that appear in the den. The less extra weight he has to carry, the easier the long flight ahead will be. He finishes his preparation, takes a deep breath and slowly closes his one functioning eye. Then he waits patiently for information that will enable his legions to follow Gaia to her destination for a final confrontation.
Looking directly at the waterfalls from the cave opening, Gaia’s escorts remain watchful at her side. Each is aware that the journey will continue at a moment’s notice.
“Look up to the right of the center waterfall,” a lead escort states. “The rainbow ... it seems to be moving toward us,” he declares, startled and impressed.
Gaia and the others immediately take notice. From the falls, a shimmering plane of red, orange and yellow light materializes within a rising mist. As the arc of this unusual sight gains in size and intensity, it draws closer to their location, producing an even broader spectrum of color. Though several other rainbows are present in the ravine, this one doesn’t go unnoticed by Taggart’s operatives in neighboring caves. Taggart, too, leers out to assess the extraordinary event firsthand.
“Oh, my! It’s beautiful,” declares a rear escort, rising to ready himself for the next leg of the journey.
“It is time. The site of our key has been revealed,” announces Gaia to the group. “We must enter where the rainbow touches the waterfall. Focus on the location and don’t let it out of your sight.”
A quick inspection of the area produces a stunned and fearful look on the face of each butterfly. A lead escort turns nervously to Gaia. “The force of an ocean flows between us and the gateway we seek behind the falls. You can safely take us through such a torrent?” she asks, balancing skepticism and amazement.
“Let’s find out,” responds Gaia reassuringly. “Soon the key will vanish and, with it, the location of the gateway. It is time to complete our journey.”
Within seconds the four large escort butterflies emerge from the cave and ascend along the rainbow’s path. Gaia is firmly in their grasp. Aware that the spectral pathway could suddenly disappear, each butterfly concentrates on the exact position where the rainbow meets the waterfall’s surface. The sight of Gaia and her escorts ascending within the arc of the rainbow produces a chorus of cackles and wails from within the caves. These sounds go unnoticed by Gaia and her group due to the deafening thunderous downpour from the vast expanse of falls before them.
Thoughts of being close to the journey’s end coupled with a sense of confidence inspired by Gaia spark new energy among the escorts. The group quickens its pace and soon reaches the top of the arc. Instinctively, they stop and stare down effortlessly at the gateway from the apogee of the arc. At once, they begin to glide increasingly faster toward their destination. Just as their pace reaches breakneck speed, the rainbow vanishes from around them.
Gaia’s two rear escorts are startled by the sudden loss of the spectral path. Both shut their eyes and tighten their grasp on the cocoon’s surface. The two lead butterflies, unwavering in their resolve, continue to guide the group with their eyes fixed firmly on the spot where they last saw the key.
Scores of silver-beaked blackbirds watch anxiously as Gaia and her companions descend toward the falls at great speed. Believing that Gaia may escape, dozens of these lightning-fast flocks take flight to begin their assault. It is clear that they are more interested in unfettered revenge than in awaiting orders under the command of Syrus. The first three flocks to begin the chase quickly gain on the group. In no time, they are less than one hundred yards behind them and closing fast.
With the timing of the point of impact between Gaia’s group and the immense waterfall less than twenty seconds away, both lead escorts remain on task and hope for a miracle.
“AAHH! No! Not again!” shrieks a rear escort with a dozen blackbirds tearing into his abdomen. Gaia turns to see several flocks about to overpower the entire group.
“Help us!” exclaims a lead escort, still bearing down on the key. The cocoon begins to tilt and wobble under the early strains of attack.
“Stay on course,” insists Gaia calmly and directly to each lead escort. “Do not be distracted by these attackers. Such action will be promptly addressed.”
“Then address it! Address it!” yell the rear escorts in unison.
Gaia learned an important lesson during this first day of her life. She is no longer a naive chrysalis who responds with force only after much physical and emotional suffering and unnecessary loss of life. Gaia turns, once again, to bear witness to the combined savagery and disregard for life shown by hundreds of silver-beaked blackbirds who now engulf the group. In the background she sees more flocks about to strike. Amidst their cries of “Revenge!” and screams of pain from her companions, she slowly shakes her head in despair, knowing full well what must be done.
Gaia takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. When she raises her eyelids, she feels the presence of an extra membrane. Her view of the surrounding environment – the immense falls and steep, rocky ravine, the countless silver-beaks on a feeding frenzy, and her brave companion escorts – all have changed to blood red. Gaia also senses a familiar and heated rush of energy throughout her body, but this time it is more directly under her control. Together this triggers a revelation about the events that have unfolded throughout the day and the Golem’s plans. She more fully understands the nature of her powers and their role. No longer prompted by physical pain or hysterics, she now knows that her demonic glower and unearthly response will surface whenever balance is threatened by someone or something. In her eyes, this is such a case.
She pans the barbaric actions of her enemies one last time. Gaia then tilts back her head, closes her eyes and forcefully proclaims, in a deep, eerie hiss, “Incivility will always be painful!”
WHOOSH!
An intense, banded energy field radiates from the chrysalis several hundred yards in all directions, like the ripple effect of a stone tossed into a still pond. While the blast has no effect on her four friends, millions of smoldering black feathers rock back-and-forth, down into the thick mist of the ravine’s watery surface. The force of the blast creates a momentary rift in the waterfall.
“Look! There’s our opening!” shouts a sore but exuberant lead escort.
The opening allows Gaia and her companions just enough time to safely penetrate the surface of the waterfall before the rift collapses behind them and the falls resume their tremendous flow.
Across the ravine, in caves spread throughout the vast stone ridge, those who witness the loss of their comrades feel shocked and demoralized. The immediate disappearance of the group into the falls adds insult to injury. Loud cries of “Revenge!” briefly overpower the thunder of the falls. Taggart and his flock of ospreys were close enough to the energy burst to feel the heat, but far enough away not to be among the victims.
After Taggart takes in all of the details of the battle and location of the key, he instructs his flock to prepare for its return to Syrus. Within minutes they all take flight, passing hundreds of warrior legions carrying on angrily in and around their caves. Moments later they clear the top of the gray stone ridge and are out of sight.
“Is everyone alright?” Gaia questions each of her companions just inside the dangerous flow of the waterfall. Wearily, they nod their heads in turn to indicate they have gotten through the last few minutes without serious damage.
In spite of the group’s close proximity to the turbulent falls, an atmospheric vacuum surrounds them all as if they are inside a large bubble suspended in midair. Pressure within the vacuum silences the roar of the falls. It also eliminates the tremendous moisture and high-velocity winds seen outside of the vacuum’s transparent energy field.
To Gaia’s question, a rear escort rubs a portion of his sore abdomen with a lower leg and states, “I’m still trying to figure out what happened. I didn’t think we were going to make it.”
Clearly taken aback by the comment, a lead butterflies quips, “Why? Have you no faith?”
Still tending to his side, the rear escort nervously replies, “No faith? I think it was more the sight and pain of thousands of blackbirds tearing into us and then being thrown off course as we were headed straight into a wall of water than it was anything else,” he states sarcastically. “Oh, and all that yelling didn’t help either. I couldn’t hear any of you over my screams.”
“Difficult and frightening times can make doubters out of the most faithful,” states Gaia, intentionally interrupting the two. “I’m sorry you were so worried,” she adds calmly.
The second lead butterfly, still vigilant, looks carefully at his surroundings. “What is this place?” he asks curiously.
“We’re enclosed in a wind chamber,” replies Gaia. “In the mountainside ahead is the gateway to an underworld where insect friends from nearly every corner of Evergreen are waiting to greet us and celebrate our journey.”
Confused, the butterfly eyes the surroundings. “If we’re in a wind chamber,” he responds skeptically, “then, uh, where’s the wind?” Finally, it dawns on him. “Oh,” he nods knowingly.
The group hovers inside the chamber. Ever so slightly, they begin to move away from the thick mist and intensity of the falls and inch toward four dark, cavernous tunnels in the rocky mountainside. The four cave-like openings encircle a fifth tunnel in the center. The deep-set entrances are narrow, irregular in shape, and unequal in size. Gaia is aware that each entrance can accommodate her group, but only without the protective field.
A strong and continuous draft created by the waterfall’s unceasing torrent cycles into each tunnel opening and then disappears in the depths of the mountain. The draft’s tremendous force thrashes against the outer surface of the group’s containment field. It has little effect on their course or speed. Unbeknownst to the group members, the blistering wind around them whips up howling choruses occasionally reaching a furious, deafening pitch. Though it is unclear what lies at the end of each tunnel, it is clear from the wind’s velocity that it won’t take very long to get there. Gradually, they come to a halt about thirty feet before the five tunnel entrances.
Amidst the outer fury and inner calm and safety of their containment field, a rear escort anxiously wonders aloud, “Does each passage take us to the underworld?”
Gaia stares at the stone portals that face her. She considers a response to the question. Flapping their wings in unison to maintain flight, the escorts patiently await an answer. Within seconds Gaia provides a curious response.
“All of the choices before us will end our journey, my brave companions, but only one will allow us to complete it.”
Puzzled, the members of the group glance at one another as they weigh the riddle. After a few moments pass, a rear escort’s eyes widen.
“So, to reach the underworld, we must enter through the one correct gateway,” he concludes. “The other four will destroy us.”
Gaia nods and states, “By now it should be clear to each of you that all parts of our journey are no less than perilous.”
“Why is such a gateway necessary?” follows the second rear escort in a sincere tone. “Isn’t it true that no one can pass through the barrier of the falls without special powers like yours?”
Gaia turns her head toward the two gentle creatures. Uneasy about the sudden attention, the butterflies nervously flap their wings faster than the lead escorts. The broken pace causes the group to shift forward and wobble in flight. With a minor adjustment, they maintain their position inside the containment field.
“What are your names, my inquisitive ones?” asks Gaia, still fixed on the rear escorts.
Each is shocked by the question. Until this moment, Gaia had not yet asked this of anyone throughout their long and remarkable day together. Their instructions from the Golem were simple: Serve and protect the chrysalis and deliver her to the insect kingdom beneath the Great Falls. It’s hard for them to believe that Golem’s special gift has a personal interest in knowing their names.
Awkwardly, the rear escorts blurt out “Munyo” and “Kunziah” at the same time.
“The gateway is necessary, Munyo and Kunziah, to protect animates and other life forms who live in the insect kingdom below,” she replies. “It ensures that uninvited animates who gain entry into this chamber select a pathway at terrible risk to themselves. The wall of water may be a serious obstacle to those who wish to pass through it, but it is not impenetrable.”
“Well,” chimes in a lead escort, “if we didn’t have this energy field around us and I had to make a choice, then I’d choose the center tunnel. It’s the most obvious to me because it’s right in the middle of all of the cave openings,” he states confidently.
“You should know,” replies Gaia, “we will not have the safety of our ‘energy field’ when we enter the portal.” To that news, each escort takes a hard look at the five tunnels and swallows uneasily. “So, you think our path is through the center entrance?” Gaia continues, the way a teacher would press a student who just offered a wrong answer. She makes no eye contact with the brazen butterfly. “And you would be willing to place your companions – and our journey – in peril based on such a well-thought-out decision?” she adds.
“Uh, but I thought ... err,” mumbles the lead escort. As he reassesses the gut feeling that led to his decision, Gaia turns to him with an unusual request.
“Would you close your eyes and block out all thoughts, my daring deliverer?”
Bewildered, the lead escort turns to the others for sympathy but receives only blank stares in return. Recognizing the futility in saying “no,” he accepts whatever fate will befall him and closes his eyes. They tighten with anxiety.
“Be sure to keep them closed,” adds Gaia. “Now tell the others exactly what you see as you see it.” She closes both sets of her eyes.
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