DESCENT INTO DARKNESS
PART 6
By:
Stacy L.
AUTHOR’S NOTE 5: Asva is a goddess from Hindu mythology often referred to as “the Dawn” and “the Mare”. She is another form of the goddess Ushas.
* * * *
They had walked for several days before finally coming across a clearing that was bathed in bright light. As Mehtar announced, “This is it.” Jack couldn’t contain his enthusiasm, smiling as he stumbled up the small embankment Mehtar had indicated. He was certain the brightness around them was from the mystical stone they desperately sought. He slowly approached the lake trying to keep his hope from escalating just in case the healing rock wasn’t there.
As he approached the edge he noticed how the water reflected in the moonlight like a mirror. He then raised his head above cocking it slightly as he noted the moon was full and bright. The moon looked eerie. He contemplated it for several moments before a painful wince drew his attention. As he gazed at his best friend his heart seized up. He watched as Teal’c wrapped a blanket snuggly around him. Damn it, he must be shivering again! Damn, he had to find that rock or Daniel would be… He shook his head unable to accept what his mind was trying to tell him. He had to find the stone and retrieve it, for that was his main mission. He only hoped that Daniel had the strength to hold on for the few more hours or days it would take to get to the altar Mehtar insisted he needed to be taken to. He lowered his gaze casting it once again towards the lake and jumping in surprise when he saw a young woman standing before him. He wondered who she was opening his mouth to question her when she suddenly spoke up in a musical voice, “You wish to retrieve the moon gem?”
Did he wish to retrieve the…? How did she know? He was prepared to ask her but instead found himself answering, “Yes.”
“Why? Why do you seek the sacred Chandrakanta stone?”
Jack continued to stare at the woman. She looked angelic and ethereal. She looked like a spirit. He was certain that she was shimmering but then he blinked again and she appeared to be perfectly…normal. Who was she, and why was she here? He swallowed hard feeling suddenly apprehensive, but he was determined to save Daniel so he answered her inquiry, “For a friend…”
“And what is wrong with your friend?”
“He’s ill. He needs the stone to recover.”
“Ah you seek the stone for its healing power?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me. How much is the sacred stone worth to you?”
Jack cocked his head to the side feeling irritation starting to surface but decided to answer the woman’s questions in hopes that by doing so he would draw one step closer to recovering the stone that would save Daniel’s life, “How much? Look lady, I don’t know who you are or what you’re doing here, but I don’t have time for this. I need that stone to save my friend and I intend to retrieve it, so I would suggest that you just…step aside.”
The woman remained barring his path and continuing to ask her questions, “What is it worth to you?”
Jack grew angrier knowing that Daniel didn’t have time for this. His friend was fading and the woman still refused to move. He didn’t want to have to physically move her but if it came down to it then he’d have no other choice. As he heard a sharp gasp from behind he whipped his head around quickly seeing Daniel curling up tighter in a ball at the base of a tree.
The woman watched the man before her and followed his gaze to the one he was determined to save. She could feel the young man’s suffering, could see the internal battle his soul was waging and could sense the toll it was taking on him. He needed help or he would soon disappear. She could see that he was a being of the light, one who was desperately needed in the world. She returned her focus to the older man asking softly, “Would you sacrifice him for the stone you seek?”
Jack gasped feeling his anger nearly boiling as he repeated, “Would I sacrifice…? NO! NO!”
“Why?”
“WHY? Lady, I don’t have time for this!”
She wasn’t dissuaded by his pleas or his demands she only continued to inquire further, “Why would you not? Answer truthfully or all will be lost.”
“What? I… Because he’s…”
He fell silent finding it very difficult to put into words the way he felt about Daniel. He contemplated before softly sighing and answering quietly, “Because he’s the other half of my heart, of my soul. He’s the other half of me, and I…I love him.”
The woman smiled and extended her hand as she said, “Then come. We shall retrieve the Chandrakanta stone, for your words are true and your love is strong.”
“We… You mean?”
“Come. Take my hand.”
Jack gazed at her only a moment longer before grasping her hand in his allowing her to lead him towards the water’s edge. He hesitated as she entered the water and urged him to follow. She, sensing his fear and puzzlement, asked a simple question, “Do you desire to help your friend?”
“Yes but…”
“Then come with me.”
“Into the water?”
“Yes. The sacred moon gem resides on the bottom of the lake. We must enter the lake together to retrieve it.”
“But I’ll…we’ll…”
“You must have faith or your friend will be destroyed. You must trust, and you must follow.”
“But…”
“Your hesitation steals the life from your friend. If you cannot proceed then he will be destroyed. I will ask you again what are you willing to sacrifice to save him?”
“I have to enter…”
“We waste valuable time.”
Jack gazed at Daniel noting that he was moaning and wincing in pain. He focused on the woman feeling his determination sparking as he said, “Then let’s not waste any more time. Daniel needs me.”
“Very well then. Follow me.”
Jack nodded and together they entered the water. Once they were waist deep in water she pointed ahead to a brilliant light telling him that is what he sought. They continued towards the stone until the water was up to their necks she then said, “We must swim to the bottom of the lake. You mustn’t release my hand for any reason. No matter what happens beneath the surface you must not release my hand. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“Then let us go. Your friend is fading rapidly. You must get him to Chandra and Ushas before it is too late.”
At that moment the woman proceeded to make a surface dive pulling him under the water with her. Jack was so distracted that he failed to hear her last statement. He gazed at her and together they descended deeper into the water. As they drew nearer the sacred gem Jack nearly turned away but the depths of the lake were so beautiful that he found himself looking at everything. As they drew nearer the sacred gem he trained his gaze on the stone refusing to release her hand and refusing to look back. He would retrieve the stone for Daniel and then he would be healed.
* *
Mehtar smiled as he watched Asva appear before Colonel O’Neill. The Colonel seemed both disturbed and upset by her appearance but unbeknowest to him Asva was his only link to the sacred moon gem. She was one of the few able to retrieve such a jewel from the deep dark depths of the purest, clearest lakes of Aquilla. She would ask him a question and if he spoke truth she would lead him to what he sought, but if he told falsehoods the young man currently fighting valiantly to save his own soul would be doomed and cast into utter darkness. He only hoped that O’Neill was wise enough to answer her question correctly.
He gazed at the other two members of O’Neill’s team. Both were watching anxiously but neither seemed to take notice that O’Neill was no longer alone. The only other who seemed aware of Asva’s presence was the young man huddled tightly into a ball at the base of a nearby tree. The young one now focused intently on him and Mehtar could see the questions burning in his eyes. He also noticed uneasiness in that gaze and quickly reassured, “She will help your friend find what he seeks.”
“And if he fails…”
Mehtar said nothing only turning to watch as Asva and O’Neill entered the water. As their heads disappeared beneath the calm surface he turned back answering, “He will not.”
Nodding Daniel watched as his friend disappeared noticing that not a ripple appeared upon the water to indicate anyone had even passed through it. It was as if he had simply faded before them. He swallowed hard praying Jack would make it safely to the bottom and not give up, for if he failed not only would he lose his life but so would Jack.
Daniel continued to stare intently at the surface watching, waiting, hoping that Jack would make it safely back to them, and so focused was he on the surface of the lake that he had failed to hear the warnings that signified the vampires were returning…
* *
As Jack resurfaced he smiled turning to thank the woman but as he did so she quickly pulled him to her softly warning, “You must hide.”
“What?”
“The Dakinis have found him. You must hide, for if you are found then the stone will be destroyed.”
“What are you…?”
“Durga does not wish to yield her chosen ones. She will destroy him before she will allow him to be set free. You must remain hidden or their fight will be for ‘nought.”
“Fight? They’re under attack? Daniel…”
Jack began to rise tensing when he heard a loud bone-chilling scream pierce the night air. He knew that scream, had often heard it in the night when his nightmares breathed life into his fears. The scream belonged to Daniel. He started towards his friend but was stopped by the woman who had helped him retrieve the stone. He gazed at her, fear and worry creasing his now pale drawn face. She shook her head warning, “He will live, but you must get him to Chandra and Ushas quickly now.”
“I have to…”
“If you go to him now the Dakinis will take the Chandrakanta stone from you, and they will destroy it. You will not find another if they realize what it is you have come here seeking. You must remain hidden. Please, it is the only way you will be able to save him.”
Gritting his teeth Jack nodded stiffly, fighting his every instinct that ordered him to go to Daniel’s aid. He listened to the sounds of battle feeling anger and rage enter him, fearing that Daniel was in terrible pain. He listened as the sounds abruptly ceased and gazed at the woman questioningly. She smiled warmly before assuring, “They have gone now, driven away by your friends. You may go to them, but first there is one more gift I have for you.”
“A gift? What…?”
She opened his hand and placed hers over it before saying, “Your journey is almost at its end. You must go now before time turns against you. Take this and give this to the one you seek.”
“We don’t seek anyone.”
Her smile broadened as she softly whispered, “He will be waiting…” before she vanished before him like the mist surrounding the lakeside. Shaking his head he gazed at his hand and opened it. In the palm was another stone, this one a clear yellow-red color. He knew the stone for it was a common crystal used on Earth, a stone often sought after…it was the mineral amber.
* * * *
AUTHOR’S NOTE 6: Dakinis are referred to in Hindu mythology as “blood drinkers”. They are air spirits who attend to the goddess Kali.
AUTHOR’S NOTE 7: Durga is the Hindu goddess of death. She is another from of Kali. Kali is a fierce warrior goddess who is sometimes shown with vampire teeth and four arms. She is a slayer of demons and sometimes referred to as the invincible destroyer.
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