Antonia Fox's Work

The Mark of Dejaren.

The order of Zadok gathered swiftly around the great ruins of the temple of Dejaren as the hot Peruvian sun rose silently above the canopy of the surrounding jungle. It was the 21st of June, the Summer Solstice. The order had till midday to stop the devoted but misguided followers of Dejaren from performing the ghastly ceremony to restore the most evil of warlords to human form. They had already preformed half the incantation and resurrected his soul, using his death mask as a binding conduit so he could use hypnotic, subliminal influence on a helpless, unsuspecting host. All they need was the Cabiri Amulet to bind the soul to the host for all eternity.

Rekem, a high-ranking member of the order and the leader of this mission glanced about nervously at the young and old faces that flanked him on both sides. As he looked from face to face he beheld the visages of old mentors and parental figures to young apprentices and the children he’ll never gaze on many of those faces again. But as the ever-rising sun bathed each face in a warm, red glow he could see the determination and dedication etched on each and every face as he felt his chest swell with pride.

Suddenly, a soul-shaking scream shattered the quiet stillness of the jungle and sent flocks of bird’s skywards from their hidden nests high amongst the trees screaming as if they shared the same pain. Rekem steadied himself and slowly raised his scimitar. The time had come, as already the sun began shining through the Eye of Meroz at the highest peak of the temple. Soon it would shine onto the great statue of Dejaren and slowly move down the body till it reached the outstretched hands which held the Cabiri Amulet. Below the statue was an altar, on which Rekem knew the already tortured body of Nicole Vander-housen lay almost drained of her life’s blood. It would be this blood that the host body would be bathed in whilst the rays of the sun reflected through the Amulet entwined his soul with Dejaren till the end of time.

“Focus on the mission and not the memories Rekem”, urged Ichabod softy

but firmly.

“I know old man”, replied Rekem, trying to keep his voice steady. “I know. We will all mourn this day for a long time from now.

Today is for mankind, eternity belongs to Nicole”.

Ichabod was only 3 years older than Rekem, but he always referred to him as old man as everyone agreed Ichabod had an old soul in a young body. “We’re ready

is there anything you would like passed on to the rest of the group?”

Asked Ichabod. “Yes”, replied Rekem, “Nicole will not have died in vain today and neither will anyone else. In 5 minutes we will face our worst

fears. Focus on the mission and not the body of our fallen member, the time to honor her will come”.

Ichabod momentarily placed his hand on Rekem’s shoulder and moved off to relay the message. Rekem began to go over the mission strategy for the umpteenth time that morning. It was all perfectly timed. The Solar Eclipse was bang on schedule and once it began they only had 5 minutes to stop the ceremony before the moon slowly moved away and the first ray of the sun blazes through the eye and engulf the Amulet. He watched Ichabod slowly return to his side and realized it was now or never. He gave Ichabod the nod and the silent signal to move in was raised and acknowledged.

The group swiftly and silently advanced up the steps to the wide gaping entrance to the temple. Already they could hear the chanting and drumming of the sect inside. Rekem could hear a couple of younger members of his group reciting prayers but their extermination and focus never wavered. One of the newer members of the order rushed towards the doors and was almost cut down by a barrage of bullets. Ichabod called for the shields and a small group moved quickly to the front of the advancing horde equipped with shields. They poured through the doors to find a division of armed sect members in attack positions brandishing swords and daggers. Instantly the order drew their weapons and rushed headlong at the enemy. All except Ichabod and Rekem had cut a path through the group and headed for the main chamber. Inside they saw Nicole lying on the altar gasping her last breaths whilst the blood drained away into a vat in which the naked body of the host sat. Scantily clad women bathed his body while the High Priest wearing the markings of Balak, High Priest to Dejaren, placed the mask reverently on his head. The Chamber was suddenly plunged into darkness as the Eclipse became total. The women ran hectically about lighting torches, but Rekem and Ichabod had already taken advantage of the blackout to move into action.

Rekem headed towards the Amulet whilst Ichabod moved in on the host and High Priest. He began to climb up the statue but was more labor some than expected. Ichabod held back the others while Rekem finally reached the Amulet but couldn’t pry it from the statues hands. In desperation he began to smash open the hands with his weapon. The suns rays began to filter in through the opening and just before the rays reached the hands the Amulet dropped to the ground, breaking in two on impact. Suddenly the host’s body rose from the vat as a black glow emanated from his body. He began twisting and convulsing and he screamed as Dejarens soul returned too the mask dragging his sol along for the ride. Suddenly to everyone’s surprise and horror the body began to melt as the mask drained the last of his life essence. The dried up body fell away from the mask and everyone rushed to catch the falling mask but they were too late for the High Priest had reached it first and had slipped out through a trapdoor during the confusion. Rekem and Ichabod moved quickly to retrieve the pieces of the Amulet before they too were lost. During the commotion the rest of the order had entered the chamber. The Sect members had either been killed or escaped and none of the order had been lost that is apart from Nicole. The group surrounded the altar as Rekem gently lifted Nicole up and cradled her in his arms. She slowly opened her eyes and managed to ask between gasps “Did we win?” “Yes”, replied Rekem, with a sad smile. “Good coz I’m a little tired”, replied Nicole. With Tears in his eyes and a sob held in his heart threatening to emerge and expose his pain, Rekem gently said, “sleep now and we will talk again soon”. And with the closing of her eyes Rekem watched his only child fade from the world like candlelight burning itself out.

As the shrouded body of Nicole was removed from the temple Rekem and Ichabod were in deep conversation regarding what to do with the Amulet.

They agreed that they each keep half and they each bury their halves at opposite ends of the world and never divulge the location, not even to

each other. They took one last look at the temple before turning to follow the group and the body of an honored member.