Chapter 67
The Fire Temple... two days later
Derek heard his friends' return. Smiling as another of Ginge's profanities drifted through the air, he carefully folded his papers and tucked them into his pack, then reached over to stir his pot of stew. He was pleased to have Nick and Ginge back. It had been a lonely night and day with only the creatures of the flames for company.
He had dispatched the two soldiers back to the narrow, crooked tunnel where he had been trapped. That tunnel was the one spot where it would be easiest to seal this section off from the rest of the cavern system... and however the coming struggle went, that tunnel would ultimately have to come down.
Nick had been suspicious of his precept's motives in sending them away to plant explosives, while he had stayed behind, but Derek had finally convinced him with a "Trust me.... I promise.... I'll be here... safe and sound, when you get back.... Perhaps I'll have some answers... and we'll be all set to deal with our 'fiery friends'."
After the two soldiers had gone, Derek had searched for the other exit that the map had seemed to indicate. Then he had probed and prayed and, without opening his mind to their call, had tried to touch the entities in the flames. He had returned to Marina and Vasily and had given them his promise... and, in return, they had shown him what they had done... and why they had failed.
"Hey," Nick called, as he rounded the corner into the alcove. He tried not to show too much relief when he saw that Derek had been as good as his word.... There he sat, waiting for them... no "tricks" in evidence.
The precept looked up. "Everything go OK?" he asked.
"Easy peasy," Ginge announced, following on Nick's heels. "That tunnel has a fault line running along its roof for the whole length.... It'll collapse down... and seal that shitty, little crack up real good."
"Goot... I've warmed up some stew," Derek informed the others. "Let's eat... and talk."
Leaning against the hard rock, the three comrades sat well back into the recesses of the alcove... as far away from the frenzied flames as they could manage. While they ate, Derek listened to the account of their mission.
* * *
"We refilled all the water bottles," Nick said after Ginge had explained about the explosives. "So we're in good shape there.... Did you find any water around here?"
Derek nodded as he finished his last bite and set his plate down beside him. "I found the other tunnel," he said. "Its exit into the temple is opposite where we found Marina and her husband. From what I saw of it, it was probably a much broader, easier route... perhaps for it's whole length. It was a pilgrimage route. I suspect that the tunnel where I had my trouble functioned as a sort of 'trial'. One would pass through that to be reborn in that small cavern with the pool, which might have been a step in a purification ritual.
"About a half-mile in from this end of the big tunnel, I found another, much larger pool... also with wall paintings... various decorations. About an hour's easy hike beyond that was why Marina took the other way. The roof had collapsed. It was totally blocked. There's no way of knowing how deep that collapse is.
"Ginge," he asked, turning to the Brit, "do you still have any vodka to spice up our tea?"
"Sure do," the soldier responded. He pulled out the bottle and looked into its depths. "Shall we finish it?"
"Why not?" Derek affably agreed.
"What about the other exit to the surface?" Nick asked. "Did you find that?"
Derek sighed. "I couldn't find the other way out. The map must be wrong. There are no more nooks... nor even any cracks leading from this chamber... and the 'pilgrimage' route has no branches... unless it was buried as well... but the map seems to indicate that the alternate exit to the surface was to be found in our main temple."
"What about higher up in the walls?" Nick suggested. "Maybe a crack up there that we can't see from the ground?... Like Marina's alternate route."
"Because of the brightness of the chamber," Derek explained, "I can't see how we'd miss even the smallest recess or narrowest crack."
"Shit!" Ginge studied the precept's face. "So... what's the plan?... Go out the way we came in?... Blow the tunnel behind us and leave our fuckin' monsters to roast?"
"We can't risk that," the older man said decisively. "We can't risk leaving them intact.... They have to be destroyed."
"How we gonna do that?" Nick asked. "You 'seen' something?"
The precept tilted his head sideways. His gaze became distant. Nick noticed that the thumb began to rub against the index finger. A moment later, Derek's focus returned to them. "There's only one way to destroy the virus," he said, as he reached for the well-spiked cup of tea that Ginge offered. He took a sip and let it slide down his throat, then continued. "You saw how they reached for Ginge... when he got too close to the flames.... I've felt their call as well. They need a carrier... human preferably.... Well," he sighed, "we'll give them what they want."
"Bloody 'ell, Dutch!... What fuckin' good does that do?... One of us infected!... Great!"
"Not one of us...." Nick studied the bland expression on his friend's face. "You.... Right?"
Derek nodded. "I'll lure them into me.... Then destroy them."
"How!" Nick asked, uneasily... certain he'd hate the answer.
"The altar.... The flames on the altar are different.... They're holy.... This is the original Zoroastrian fire temple.... Ahura Mazda's sacred flame is out there... straight from God.... It will kill the virus."
"But...." Ginge frowned in puzzlement. "How... Dutch?... If the virus is inside you... how do you get it to the altar.... There's a lotta regular fire between here and there?"
"I'll walk there...," Derek replied, quietly. "There's no other way.... Trust me."
"No way!" Ginge protested. "We don't need you as a fuckin' sacrificial lamb.... These fuckers've been here years.... We seal 'em in for good.... No one'll ever find 'em."
"We can't risk that," Derek repeated. "These mountains are unstable. There are water sources nearby. It might not survive in water, but we have no way of knowing. These caverns seem to be a secret now, but the Russians knew about them." He held up the map. "Someone drew this. We found it in the files down there in the pumping station.... Locals certainly knew about the cave's upper levels. Who else might know or find out?.... Al-Quaida, perhaps?... No... the consequences if this got loose... are too terrible to contemplate."
Ginge continued to press his case. "You'll be burned to a bloody crisp.... Or you'll be infected... and give it to us.... We'll catch it... and the bleeders still win."
"What about trying to put the flames out?" Nick quietly suggested. "Maybe... when we seal this place up... ultimately, the air will run out... the flames will die... and if the 'things' have nowhere to go... maybe they'll just die.
Derek smiled at the logic. It was excellent reasoning, but a voice spoke within his mind. "It's possible that it might work.... But we have to be sure... here and now."
"How will you know if all those buggers come into you?" the Brit asked. "Some might hang back in the fire... so they can have their cake and eat it too."
"They'll come," said Derek, as he managed a weak smile. "They're hungry and they want out.... The fire is a holding pattern for them.... They want to be free... and they'll think that they can win.... I'll have to time it right," he admitted. "Out of the frying pan... into the fire... without them guessing.... Just like we had to time it right at the portal."
His gut churning, Nick had looked away. He remained quiet and let Ginge argue with Derek, while his memories turned to what his precept had told him of that "other-world"... of the probable death of the "other" Derek Rayne. How he and his "twin-self" had tricked the "other" Nick... the "other" team... and had sprung the trap on the entity that had called itself Winston Rayne... sucking him into an eternal time loop.... How they had brought the House down upon themselves, upon the sepulchres, and had sealed the portal.
"Jesus," Ginge murmured, shaking his head. "Can you do it?... Willingly walk into that inferno?... Even if you do that, can you make it to the altar?... That's no short hop, skip, and jump. The pain... it'll be unbearable.... You'll be burning up... as you walk."
"I'll bear it." The precept's tone was certain. "I have to believe this 'fire-starting' that's plagued me came for a reason.... Perhaps, it will offer some protection... from the outer rings of flame.... Perhaps, it's the weapon that God's given me this time.... Perhaps, this is what it's all been leading up to... the coma, West, everything...." With a deep sigh, he looked over at Nick. "As I said the other night.... My 'other-self'... towards the end... wondered if God was a comedian. There was a part of him that was growing bitter in his exhaustion and despair. At the end, we did what we had to do. He might not have been able to succeed without me.... I hadn't been worn down in the same way... but...." Derek seemed to take a gulp of air.
Ginge cast a questioning glance at Nick. "Other-self?" he silently mouthed. Nick shook his head and placed a finger to his lips.
"If God's a jokester," the precept continued, "he must have a sense of humor. Surely, this fire-starting business demonstrates that... but sometimes...." His voice grew hushed and throaty. "...Sometimes... if he's so omnipotent and omniscient... like a child, one wonders why can't God make it all better... why is the world filled with such evil and misery. Then the adult mind whispers two words... 'free will'. Mankind has free will... to use for good or evil.... 'Free Will' is.... What is the phrase?" He paused, thinking. "Free will is the 'punch line'.... Man must chose to surrender or to fight.... They always say that death is the price for living.... They're wrong.... That 'choice' is the price... and death is the prize."
Save for the murmur of the flames beyond the alcove, the chamber lay silent. Finally Ginge spoke, "What if you just use your fire to zap them? Would that work?"
"No... I don't have the control," Derek explained. "My 'fiery ailment' is far from holy. It's reactionary, but it's there for a reason. I'm sure of it.... I have to believe it's there to help me get to that altar," he repeated, as if trying to convince himself.
At last, Nick spoke once more... in a whisper. "And if your plan fails... we've left you here... alone.... The virus takes control of you.... You'll be sealed in... maybe horribly burned.... You'll suffocate or starve.... What if you invite them in and just put a bullet in your brain, like they did?" he asked, pointing to where Marina and Vasily lay.
"They'll just lay in wait in the flames again.... Back to square one," Derek replied. "That's part of why they failed.... No...." The precept gently smiled once more. "You have to stay... at least until the virus makes contact.... I'll make it to the altar, but if that fails... if the altar flame doesn't work... then you shoot me where I stand... and get the hell out of here. Seal it off.... Still at square one, but we tried."
"Why not just stay at square one?" Ginge asked bitterly. "This is a shit of a plan!... None of what you're saying makes any fuckin' sense!"
"What the hell do you expect?" Derek retorted. "I'm making it up as I go along."
The SEAL looked into his friend's hazel eyes. "What if this is all just the Darkside... having another go at you?... What if it's all just a trap... like West?... Like Horton in that 'other-world'?... What if you're their target?... Yusuf said it used to let the priests 'travel'... somehow.... Sounds familiar to me... a time-slip... alternate dimensions... worm holes... a portal.... Even if Yusuf's right and it once was good, how do we know Marina's creations didn't infect it.... What if that flame on the altar isn't of heaven, but of hell?... You could end up like before... like with West... or worse... for all eternity... and it would be real... no hope of rescue... forever...."
"I still have to try," Derek responded.
"OK... then why's it gotta be you?" Nick struggled to keep his voice even. "I'm fitter... stronger... even with my leg.... I could do it.... Besides... you tricked that 'other' Nick. You sent him off on a wild goose chase to get your way... so that you and that 'other' Derek could be the sacrifice. I swore I'd never let you be the sacrifice.... I swore...."
"No...." The precept placed a hand on Nick's shoulder, stopping him. He looked the younger man directly in the eye and held his gaze. "You and I both know it's got to be me... and, deep down, we both know why... don't we?... Don't forget that I've had lots of experience with bodily pain... and inner demons." He smiled at his own pun, and was pleased to see Nick manage a weak, matching smile. "I suspect that Derek Rayne... in whatever world he may exist... is destined...."
"You mean 'doomed'," the SEAL interrupted.
"Is destined," Derek repeated, "for such a fate as this.... I can't allow myself to think of anything beyond getting to that flame.... Besides," he chuckled, "remember... in this world, I have that parlor trick of my own."
"Fighting fire with fire," Nick murmured, looking down, unable to meet his friend's gaze any longer.
"Quite so," said Derek. "You know... life's funny.... I think I could put it all behind me now... West... that 'other world'... everything... and just begin again... almost fresh... but God has an ironic sense of humor." He searched Nick's face... forced Nick to meet his eyes once more. He had to be sure that he understood. "Nick...." He hesitated for a moment, fought down a huskiness in his voice. "After.... Whatever you do with your life.... Whatever way you now choose.... I'm so proud of you.... You're a fine man.... You always were... and always will be.... Make your own choices.... Don't let anyone else... or your sense of loyalty to me weigh too heavily.... Don't fear you'll become your father. In all the good ways, you are so like him... and I see none of his less than admirable qualities in you. Choose what you want.... Whatever battles you choose to fight, fight them because you want to fight them... if not, you'll lose... before you even begin."
Nick nodded, understanding all too well that his friend was saying his last good-bye... and that Derek was right.... Wrapped somewhere in this mystery... buried amongst a hundred reasons not to do this thing... there was a single, overwhelming reason of why it had to be done in this way. Derek felt it... and he had to trust Derek.... There was no other way. He had to watch his best friend... his father... walk willingly to his death... an agonizing death... and know that it was "the right thing".
Derek's duty... as a precept... as a man... lay before him... and, as much as the SEAL wanted to argue, to harangue, to try to change the other man's mind, he knew this was what Derek had to do. If positions were reversed, it's what he'd do... but if he was precept... and Derek... with his "abilities"... was his right hand... then the task would still fall to Derek, who had the experience... and the talents... that might mean success or failure.
Nick's throat tightened and his eyes burned, as he finally met his friend's gaze. "I understand," he said clearly.
Later...
Derek handed his pack to the SEAL. "I've written notes to you all... once again. Paper was in short supply...." The precept managed a smile. "...so you'll be pleased to know they're brief.... The other capsule is in there too.... Just break it... and it'll 'phone home'."
No longer able to trust his voice, Nick nodded, then put the pack down. He quickly pulled the taller man into a bear hug. This was their final parting. He had to let go... for Derek... for himself.
Derek felt the strong shoulders tremble. He weakly returned the hug, then pulled away, afraid to maintain the contact... afraid that he... or Nick... might weaken. He removed the watch from his wrist. "Here," he said, handing it to Nick, "you'll need this... and don't forget to give Kincaid back his knife.... It's in the pack.... And give Yusuf the other knife... with the ivory handle.... He admired it once."
Ginge stood by and watched, heavy hearted. He understood the older man's decision.... He was the officer, the leader.... One life for the sake of others.... All the same... it wasn't easy to bear.... He'd grown fond of the stiff-necked bastard... and he owed his life to the man.
Derek stepped back from his two companions. "Take care," he instructed. "Ginge... tell Yusuf.... Well... say good-bye for me."
"I will, Dutch," the soldier quietly promised, as he shook the extended hand. "You give them demon bastards 'ell."
"Too fuckin' right," Derek replied with a chuckle. He then turned away.
They watched the precept square his shoulders, stretch himself up to his full height, and walk with determination towards the ring of flames.
"Indy... I'll do it.... You know... if he doesn't make it," Ginge whispered. "I'm a fu... a good shot."
Nick met the blue eyes. "I'll do it," he said firmly as he reached for his rifle. "He's not gonna suffer a second more than necessary." The SEAL held out his hand. "See... steady as a rock."
Nick watched as Derek reached the point of no return. Seeming to sense his presence, the searing waves of heat changed colors and stretched out for him. The soldiers saw him turn, face them for a fleeting second, nod, and give a small, crooked smile. He then turned back, ramrod straight, and stepped quickly forward.
Immediately, red and blue plasma threads, like lace made of lightning, cocooned the precept's body. Even as the deep scarlet flames of the moat now surged higher than Derek's head, they ballooned outward. Fire was indeed fighting fire. A black smoke billowed up, enveloping his tall frame. As he continued to walk, it gathered round him. Nick saw him pause to inhale deeply. The blackness entered his friend's body through his mouth, through his nose.
"He's not burning," Ginge said. Squinting against the brightness, he strained his eyes. "That stinking smoke.... They're in that smoke!"
The flames in the outer rings changed as he passed.... No longer scarlet and orange, blue tints appeared and grew stronger. The precept staggered the last few yards into the space between the last two fiery rings. He seemed to stumble, but caught himself and momentarily hesitated. Nick raised his rifle, centered the cross-hair of the scope on the back of Derek's head . "Please... God...," he whispered, as he gently lay his finger on the trigger, prepared to squeeze.
Suddenly, the precept stepped onto the iridescent altar. Another step, upward, carried him into the shallow, golden cauldron... into the pure, white flame that sprang from nothingness. Shimmering heat wrapped him in a brilliance that pained their eyes. The hypnotic movement of the white flames changed. It slowly began to twist and spiral. Countless fiery wheels spun, round and round, overlapping at all angles, with the precept as their hub... like a fiery astrolabe gone mad. A screech of agony and frustration filled the rotunda.
With his rifle still sighted, Nick watched the barely visible figure within the light. The echoing of the scream faded away to be replaced by a peaceful silence. Then there was nothing, no movement, no voices, only the constant shimmer of the light and the melodic whisper of living flames.
"He's dead." Lowering his weapon, Nick choked on the words. "Jesus!... He must be."
"But I can still see him." The awe in Ginge's voice was evident. "At least, his shape... in the white light.... He's still standing there.... Maybe we should...," he said, reaching for Nick's rifle.
"He rests in the radiance of God's love."
The soft, trilling voice from behind startled the pair. They spun around to see a creature, like those of the cave paintings, whom Derek had called Fravashi. He stood watching the flames. "God has him," he said, as he spread wide his wings and lifted off the ground. He hovered over the outer rings of flame, now entirely blue. "He has cleansed the holy fire. The temple is once more pure... and sanctified."
"Where the hell've you been hiding?" Nick cried out in rage, scarcely noticing that he spoke to a creature of myth. "Derek said you're some kinda angel.... You coulda done that...." The SEAL waved an arm towards the altar. "You let him die... for your goddamned holy fire... or are you an angel at all?... Maybe you're a Darkside trick, sent to trap Derek and destroy him." The SEAL raised his rifle, shifted it from single shot to automatic fire, and placed his finger on the trigger. "You've tried before."
Compassion was written on the strange being's face. "Peace... young son.... If I could have done this... I... or my brothers and sisters... would have.... This evil was created by man.... Only a man could put that right.... Only a man... but such a fine one.... Worthy to be numbered amongst the Magi."
The creature once more settled to the ground beside them. In silence, he
stared at the white heat, then finally spoke again. "The light within Derek's
soul has joined with the cleansing flame. You can do no more for him... nor can
I. Do you not feel his peace?... Be joyous for him.... He rests in bliss...
without pain... without grief.... He is in the hands of the Almighty now... who
will decide his fate.... You should go.... Do what you must.... Seal this place
off... then rejoin your friends... and continue with your life, as he told you
to do... and be thankful that you were blessed with having known such a one as
he."
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