Chapter 1

Corridor of Light

Midsummer, 5514

The corridor was long. Green vines grew everywhere in profusion, obscuring its ceiling with their hanging leaves. Bracken had walked here before, yet each time its lushness had become more vivid and alluring. A weaving of verdant growth formed the oval tunnel through which he passed. Ahead, the passage veered to the right and sloped slowly upward. He followed it, his nostrils filling with the wet and pungent scent of the moss beneath his feet. Rivulets of water ran between his toes, gently refreshing them. Everything around him excited his senses. He had often wondered why this link between the dimensions should be so inviting. This time, though, he had more important questions, ones concerning the death of his friend, Silas.

The secondary effects of the Mingus Gem could be detected ever so slightly in the tips of his long fingers. Just minutes before, he had been standing in Oak Forest, passing the glowing Mingus stone across his high forehead. The Gem’s brilliant rays had cast gleaming streaks across his chiseled features. Now he was deep within its spell. Miniature pools of blue vibrated in his widening pupils, as he was drawn further into the fascinating realm. His mind had responded immediately, carrying him beyond the natural plane. Guided by his awakened perception, his body had followed, his senses surging with delight.

Golden light flooded the passage as Bracken reached the crest of the slope. It seemed to shine and twinkle in the air. Small particles of dust became brilliant jewels as they were struck by the light that filtered through the open places in the branches above him. The air was laced with the scent of mint. Gradually, the light increased until it formed one glistening wall of yellow. A small door of emerald-like substance appeared in its center. At his touch, it opened and he walked through.

Another tunnel stretched before him, longer than the previous one. He walked on. Purple flowers bloomed among the ferns and vegetation around him. They fluttered softly in the slight draft. He paused to touch one. Its texture was flesh-like. His fingers tingled. He could feel each nerve delightfully responding as he stroked its surface. Everything felt wonderful.

Then came the Fear—the penetrating force that immobilized the heart and froze the mind. He sensed only a hint of warning before it overcame him. Pleasure melted into anxiety. Fangs of agony sank deep into his subconscious. Straining his senses, he searched his surroundings for a clue to his panic. The green plants and twisting vines became still and placid. He listened more intently to the clicking he had heard since beginning his walk. At first it had been pleasant, like the sound of crickets chirping, but now it seemed to haunt him. He felt as if someone was secretly observing him, playing with his mind as one does a pawn. He could sense his ear opening wider as he listened... laughter...he concentrated more...chirping... then It became laughter again. It’s only my imagination, he told himself.

Gradually the pain began to ease and he ignored the thought that he was being watched. Slowly the Fear subsided, and once again he could feel the warmth of the Mingus Effect. It was filling his whole body now. Each pore seemed to breathe the air which had suddenly become charged. He pulled his thoughts together and reminded himself of why he had come. Find the Source! This was why he had chosen to enter the passage again. He shook himself and walked on. Everything had become golden now. Light radiated from light. He was walking on light. The green had vanished. The smell of mint was gone. This time would be different, Bracken told himself. Not like before, when he had spent hours wandering, filling his senses, his mind and his emotions with pleasure.

"I must find the source. I must know what lies beyond this level," he whispered under his breath. The light faded ahead, but as he came closer, he realized it was just an opening into another room. Entering it, he looked up. This one, it appeared, had no ceiling. Abruptly, as if on cue, the light beneath his feet swirled and solidified into a marble-like substance. Its glow faded. In the distance a figure began to materialize, drifting toward him. It was glowing now; all else had become dark. The figure stopped just before it reached him, hovering slightly above his head. Bracken watched cautiously. Then it spoke.

"Welcome to the Upper Level, Bracken," the glowing one began. "My name is Hiffornak."

How does this creature know my name? Bracken asked himself. Perhaps it read my thoughts.

The circle of radiance moved closer. "Few of your kind have ever penetrated this far," the creature continued. "It is good to see one so diligent in his search for knowledge." A soft hum of dissipating energy vibrated as he spoke. "Such hunger will be rewarded well." The luminous creature’s words rippled across Bracken’s thought patterns like the soothing strokes of a masseur’s hands.

‘"Thank you for the compliment, but I’ve really come looking for answers to my friend’s death." Bracken remembered the broken body of his friend as he lay dead on the sharp rocks at the bottom of the canyon. "And who are you?" Bracken asked, peering closer, hoping to penetrate the cloud of light.

"I am the representative of Naacan." As Bracken listened to the gentle tones emanating from the light cloud, he noted the diplomatic grace of the strange being. Still, he felt an inner sense of caution as the being continued. "Our people are from another realm which is linked to yours by this passage."

"And what kind of world is that?" Bracken muttered suspiciously, backing away slightly from Hiffornak.

"Naacan is a simple world, but one of happiness. Our history has been timeless and peaceful, interrupted only when others like yourself, have joined us, seeking a higher plane of existence." The shroud of brightness seemed to be revolving in a slow orbit about the creature. Bracken stared beyond Hiffornak in the direction from which he had come. A curtain of darkness blocked his gaze.

"How did you find your way here, then?"

"All my kind are creatures of light. We move freely through progressive spheres of energy. It’s a simple thing for us to pass into this realm."

"Then why haven’t I seen you before?" questioned Bracken, growing a little impatient.

"We have been secretly watching you and the others who have been exploring this dimension link. You are the first to have penetrated this far." By some hidden means, the speaker lowered his luminous form until he almost touched the ground. "We weren’t quite sure of your intentions. So many of your kind seem to be like children playing with a new toy, but I am glad to see that there are those like you who seek answers and not simply pleasure. This is why I have been sent to assist you in your quest."

"I am seeking answers," Bracken agreed hesitantly, "but too often I’ve run into dead ends and confusion." He looked about the blackened room despairingly and then back to Hiffornak. Bracken felt comforted now by the Naacanite. He listened more closely to the representative’s words.

"These levels hold the answers to many mysteries, some more elusive than others. But you must be careful here, for there are other forces which seek to destroy and enslave your kind."

Bracken looked down momentarily, restraining a sense of sorrow. The frozen substance beneath him stared bleakly back. He returned his gaze to Hiffornak. "Perhaps this is what happened to Silas?" offered Bracken. "He said something to me about evil just before he died."

"A fearful possibility in this region," the light being responded. "Such depths or discovery are not without their tragedies."

"It seems like I’ve had my share of those lately," Bracken murmured reflectively as he recalled not only Silas’ death, but the loss of Lisha. It was only a short time since they had parted, and his heart longed for her again in spite of his efforts to quell it. Then there had been the Pirax and their brutal assault on the Community. He had come here freely, but he knew that once he returned to Oak Forest he would be running to escape them.

"We are aware of your Community and the bond you feel one for another," the glowing one’s reply interrupted his thoughts. "It certainly is regrettable that you have suffered such setbacks. But remember, life is a cycle." Hiffomak’s voice took on a philosophic inflection as he encouraged Bracken. "If one dies, he will come again. Noble ventures will repeat themselves, finding success eventually. We are all like the passing rays of the sun, vanishing only to beckon the coming of another day, and that day is beginning here with you."

"How can that be?" Bracken retorted cynically. "You must know the attitude of the Community, and of the Pirax assaults. Hope is gone! The Fathers have forbidden us to..." Bracken thought of the leaders of his land. They seemed so narrow and selfish. He hated them.

"Yes, I know," responded the glowing one, breaking in on Bracken’s dialogue. "This is why I have been sent, not only to answer your questions, but to encourage you." The creature’s voice took on a hypnotic tone that seemed to reach out gently toward the despondent youth. "You are weary, but soon you will be refreshed." An effulgent aurora emanated from the cloud of light surrounding the creature. As it flowed over him, Bracken felt himself being relaxed and renewed. Peace spun a cocoon around him. Time ceased. As his discouragement dissipated, he seemed to awake from a dream. "Now that you have been strengthened, it is time you returned to your friends. Bring them back here to meet with me." Confidence grew in Bracken’s heart as he listened. "Then I will be able to instruct you further." A momentary stillness filled the dim chamber as the being paused. He began again softly, his voice beginning to fade. "Bring them soon..." His voice faded more. "Follow the surge from the Mingus Effect. It will lead you to me ..."

Slowly the glow vanished and Bracken found himself alone again. A chill dampened his bones as he stared into the air where Hiffornak had previously floated. Suddenly aware of his surroundings, he realized the Mingus pulse was dissipating. The stone’s power was fading. A semi-glow of purple orange appeared and surrounded him. He turned and walked back, retracing his steps. Ahead of him stood a vortex of murky fog. In its center, an opening appeared. His heart seemed to tell him not to enter it. Something seemed to be lurking there, waiting for him. Ignoring his apprehensions, he thrust himself through it. Emerging from the other side, he found himself in a darkened chamber, gloomy tunnels running off in various directions. It had always been less brilliant returning from the Mingus Realm than entering it, but never this obscure. Nevertheless he stepped forward, taking the first Path to his right, letting the Mingus sensations guide him. The feelings were growing faint but still he could follow them. He hoped they’d remain until he left the passage. He sensed the gentle tugging inside, pulling him back to his own dimension. Returning to where he had entered this higher realm was a priority now. If the effect completely vanished before he returned, he might find himself trapped and ejected into a less comfortable spot than Oak Forest. His pace quickened with these thoughts.

Staring into the darkness, he walked cautiously ahead, to make out the way in front of him. His ears pricked as he heard a familiar sound. The haunting laugh had returned. Unexpectedly, he saw motion farther down the corridor. A dark form retreated into an intercepting passage to his left. A sense of fear began to trap his heart and enclose his thoughts. He wanted to run. Then abruptly he heard footsteps padding on the ground behind him. When he turned to look, an even louder series of footsteps sounded in front of him. Startled, he whirled back, his eyes focusing on two serpentine skinned creatures. Their heads were hideously contoured. A low rasp filled his ears as one of them opened its jaws exposing a vicious set of fangs.

The creatures stared at him with an evil glint. Like flames of a smoldering fire, the fanged one’s yellow eyes seemed to consume the dry flax of Bracken’s courage.

Transfixed by this sight, fear came crushing him with terror. A hideous strength held him, pulling him down, tugging at his hope, shattering his dreams. He struggled with it, managing finally to pull himself free. "I won’t let them take me," he promised himself as he fled. Dark forms moved to stop him. He ran anyway, momentarily evading his pursuers. He sprinted down a passage to his right. Glancing back, he could see several more were chasing him. Gasping for air, he pressed on down the corridor, blindly racing through the semi-darkness in hope of escape. Without warning, the tunnel dead ended. He slammed into it, bruising his head and an arm. In desperation, he thought of using one of the energy eggs in his pouch, but by now the range was too close. It’s explosive force would destroy him as well as his pursuers.

Stunned and confused, he turned around in diffident frustration, charging back into those who followed him. Hands grabbed him, tripping him and gouging into his flesh. He fell, his body smothered by his hunters. Overwhelmed with fear and tormenting pain, he began to Pass out. Then from deep within it came...a name, a flicker of hope, that which he had hated before...that name. He screamed it just as he was losing consciousness.

Hours later he awakened. The creatures were gone. He was falling. His body writhed. Every cell in his mind felt as if it was burning. He was alone, his surroundings a blur of color, his eyes held tightly shut. He reached out for a comforting memory. There was none, only two haunting questions. "Where am I what strange power rescued me?" Gradually the pain subsided and Bracken opened his eyes.

Nev Broc stood over him, shaking him. "You all right, Bracken?" He sounded worried. He shook Bracken again, staring intensely into his face. "You there, Bracken?" Faintly in the distance Bracken could make out the forms of others around him and he realized he was back in Roon’s house in Oak Forest. The soft fur of the bed beneath him beckoned him back into unconsciousness. The gentle light from the molded brass shades above him gave off a relaxing glow. Nev put his hand under Bracken’s head and lifted him up. "We weren’t sure if you’d ever come back. We’re just about to leave." Bracken had to force his eyes open. The lids felt heavy. Through the haze that clouded his vision he could make out Nev’s bushy hair and beak-like nose. Inside he felt sleep tugging at him, pulling him back into the shadows. Sleep. Rest. He wanted to shut everything out.

Nev’s voice stirred him again. "We’ve got to leave. The Pirax are closing in."

Bracken began to slip away again. Struggling, he fought back his lethargy. "Where are we going?"

"To Raka. We can hide there. Os and the others have the trans loaded."

Bracken forced himself to mumble a few more words in reply. "Good. Help me to the rig." In the background he could hear equipment being loaded as Nev helped him walk to the large transmax. Shapes moved back and forth through the fog that still veiled his sight. When they reached the rig its door opened with a woosh. Someone helped Nev lift him onto a bunk in the vehicle. Soon he heard the drive unit lumber to life.

The trans moved off through the night, heading up the long road that led toward the distant desert. Periodically Bracken awoke during the long night of travel. He stared bleakly about him, mumbling and then falling unconscious again. Finally he gave up struggling and slept a deep, long sleep.