Resurrection

Nothing but darkness existed, swirling around him like a whirlpool. Coldness and despair filled his senses. The passage of time was unmeasured. Had he been here for a moment or an eternity? What was he waiting for? Release from the dark void that surrounded him, which was him.

* * *

After the main battle with the Empress's forces, minor skirmishes between the Freemen and soldiers still loyal to the now-deceased royal family continued. Word spread quickly across the continent that the Empire was defeated, and communities everywhere were ridding themselves of Imperial representatives in favor of local leadership. The larger cities where the Imperial families had resided, three in particular, were targeted by the Freemen and Arctic leadership as areas to set up a new democratic government patterned after the ancient government of the United States of America.

The underground city of Ayers served as the military base for the battle between Freemen forces and those of the Empress. Now that the battle was over, the military base was no longer needed. The bases were organized above ground near communities, so the soldiers' families could be close to them. The main headquarters and training base was set up at Mount Curie, which left the city of Ayers free for people to live their lives normally again without military protocols. The Arctics were aliens who colonized Antarctica centuries ago. They have never been part of Earth's mainstream population and were always referred to as "Arctics." Their King, Jerrick Minotai, requested that the city of Ayers be the place for his people to reside. They were unaccustomed to the hot temperatures and exposure to the sun that life on the surface provided. The Freemen agreed to the request on the condition that those who did not want to return to residence above ground were allowed to stay. Most families wanted to move back to lands once occupied by their ancestors; only a few of the shopkeepers and business men stayed.

Life in the Land of Xanthus was changing. People began calling the continent Australia again and Freemen was now the name of the army that overthrew the ruling families. The people now referred to themselves as Australians, and they were proud of the name. Songwriters everywhere were composing national anthems, trying to write the one that people would like best. Finally, a computer technician in Ayers found the original anthem for Australia in the historical files the Arctics brought with them. "Waltzing Matilda" was soon heard every morning along with a flag raising; the flag's design was also found in the ancient files.

O'lahn Aratune, advisor to King Minotai, resigned as military advisor to work full time on reconstructing a government for Australia. O'lahn was pouring over descriptions of ancient governments for what seemed the hundredth time when he was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Come in," he said absently. O'lahn hit a button on his desktop to shut off the vid-screen and turned to see who was interrupting him.

King Minotai walked through the door, closing it behind him. "I hope I am not disturbing you O'lahn, but I would like a word."

"By all means Sir. I am always available for you." O'lahn stood until his King sat in a chair opposite him, and then he sat again. He had a comfortable relationship with his uncle, but at work, he showed nothing but respect for the King.

Jerrick smiled as he sat down and waited for his nephew to be seated before speaking. "The Freemen are sending a group out to the Empress's castle on Rottnest Island to see what can be done with the structure government wise. I am impressed with their desire to remove the mark of the Empire from Australia, but they do not seem to want to look beyond the shores of this continent. A defeated Empire and freedom for Australia is only a small victory in the overall battle against the evil that threatens Earth. If we don't find and defeat Izamore, Australia will not remain free for long."

O'lahn took advantage of the King's pause to add his own thoughts. "I agree with you Sir. Now that Arra is recovering, the Seven will be able to continue their work." His cousin was seriously injured in the final battle with the Empire. They were not sure she would survive, and the joy on the King's face over his granddaughter's recovery was unmistakable.

"Yes, Arra is recovering, but it will be at least another month before she can travel. At Arra's insistence, the others are slowly coming back together as a group under the leadership of Moose. But until she is ready, I need you to do some investigative groundwork for me. I want you to go to Rottnest Island with the Freemen group as my representative. They have already agreed, and will allow you to check out any areas of the island I wish." Jerrick stood and took an envelope from his pocket, handing it to O'lahn. "These are the areas I want you to pay special attention to. We must find out more information about the Stygian Order and Izamore."

Opening the envelope, O'lahn said, "I will do as you ask Sir. When do I leave?"

"This afternoon. The transport shuttle is ready to launch. You will have one week on the island. I will expect a full report the minute you get back." King Minotai headed for the door without another word. Even when they were alone, O'lahn insisted on formality at work. The King respected that about his nephew.

He let the King leave in silence. Grinning inside, O'lahn knew what information King Minotai was looking for and was excited to go. He quickly read the contents of the envelope again before putting it into his briefcase. There wasn't much time to pack, so he quickly locked up his office and headed for his living quarters. He wanted to share the news with his mother before he left .

For years, O'lahn was Special Advisor to King Jerrick Minotai and teacher to the King's granddaughter Arra, who is also his cousin. He watched her leave the Antarctic colony to find six others that would fulfill the ancient Prophecy of Hope:

From Seven lands will come seven, Strong, united, without fear. After many years of darkness, They will bring forth the light of freedom.

O'lahn had sat in offices and command centers, organizing and directing the evacuation of the Antarctic colony to Australia, and then the battle for freedom from Imperial rule while Arra traveled the world. She was gathering the group that is now referred to as "Force Seven." O'lahn always wished he could travel and be part of the adventures with his cousin and help defeat the evil that was still growing on Earth. Now was his chance. The King was sending him to search through the rooms that belonged to the most powerful wizard in Australia. Galien was of course dead, but who knew what booby traps or magical things he may have left behind.

O'lahn thought about everything the members of the Seven had told him about the Empress' castle and the wizard's rooms while the shuttle flew toward Rottnest Island. He was examining the floor plan when the shuttle landed in the castle's front courtyard.

The delegation of Australians disembarked ahead of O'lahn. They were met by a boy who, although tall, couldn't have been more than 13 years old. His dark-blonde hair was flying in different directions and matched his patched dirty pants and shirt. He wore his clothes neatly with his shirt tucked in and his light-brown eyes hinted at intelligence.

The boy was well spoken and formal. "My name is Elio. Welcome...