Olympus: It's Not Just a Game

Chapter 47

If a cybersuit could simulate low pressure, both Karl and Jacob would have had nosebleeds. The dragon's mighty wings beat in time, rising up and up until the air above them was navy blue and the stars glared down upon them. Still the mountains rose higher, but now they could see a gleaming city at the top. Golden domes and minarets adorned the mountain, surrounded by a stone wall so thick and high that no army could ever hope to penetrate it. But the dragon had no need to breach the walls. It sailed over them, and wheeled down, toward the glorious temple at the crowning point of the city of the gods. The dragon folded up its wings, left the sunlight behind, and squeezed its way between the pillars to stand in the vast open space before the altar of Olympus.

Enormous statues surrounded the altar, giant figures that were both beautiful and terrible. The moving firelight played tricks with the eyes – Jacob almost thought he saw one of the heads turn as the boys followed the dragon to the center of the temple. But the dragon had little interest in sightseeing. It coiled its neck, opened its huge metallic jaws, and called out, "Nancy!"

"Lord Peter!" her voice called out. From somewhere deep in the forest of columns, they heard a sharp slap, and then the sound of running feet.

"Nancy! We're over here!" Jacob cried out. In a moment, Nancy raced out to meet them, with Wheeler and the wizard right behind her in hot pursuit. ReMora hesitated when he saw the dragon.

Nancy raced right up to it, threw her arms around one green and scaly leg. "Lord Peter," she cried, "Am I happy to see you!" Then she turned around fiercely on the wizard and his apprentice. "As for those two," she continued fiercely, "would you please fry them?"

"With pleasure, my dear," the dragon rumbled, and limbered up its neck for a bolt of flame. ReMora's staff whirled in midair, and a blast of blue light shot across the open expanse of the temple. The dragon disappeared, leaving only a slightly surprised and very human Lord Peter, crouched on all fours on the marble floor.

Peter stood up, without conceding his dignity for moment, and adjusted the folds of his toga. "Thank you, ReMora," he said haughtily. "Being a dragon was a novel experience, but it can be somewhat limiting." He reached out and took Nancy by the wrist. "Now, I think we are all back where we belong. I have Nancy, as agreed. Karl has his freedom, as he chose. ReMora, you have your son, I believe, and I wish both of you the best. It's a pity that Noah can't be with us, but all in all, not a bad day's work."

Karl looked sullen. "You've got Nancy—so far."

Lord Peter looked at Karl. "I've won the game, Karl. We've reached the top. You had your chance, but you failed. It's time to take off that helmet, go home, and apologize your father."

"The game isn't over yet!" Karl protested.

"It is for me," Lord Peter replied. "I've got other things to do," he said, looking significantly at ReMora. "Take off your helmet, Karl," he commanded. "It's time to get on with your life. Go home to your father, and start over."

"My father," Karl muttered, darkly.

"Yes, your father," Jacob interjected. "Our father. He loves you, Karl."

"Loves me?" Karl scoffed.

"Karl, he's in jail right now, for your sake," Jacob said.

"In jail?" Karl asked, startled. "What for?"

"He went to CyberCamp to find you," Nancy cried, "and then they had him arrested!" "They locked him up for child abuse, Karl—for abusing you! You have to come back with us to tell them the truth!"