As the night fell on the sixth day of the boys’ journey, they slept away their worries and exhaustion. But the Evil One did not sleep. He roamed to and fro upon the face of the world seeking those whom he might destroy.
That night the Evil One felt a tug at his core, his intuition was telling him something of great importance was about to happen. So he followed his wicked instinct and flew like the wind across the breadth of the land. When he saw the tower in its resplendence he was almost too scared of the light to come any nearer.
But then he saw the two helpless boys sleeping outside the safety of the tower. “How foolish and how very fortuitous for me” said the Evil One to himself.
With sadistic glee he flung himself down upon the ground beside the humble encampment. A brilliant flash of light and burst of heat awoke Michael and Lucas from a troubled sleep. Groggily they wiped their eyes ridding the sleep and tried to comprehend what they were seeing.
Laid out before them was a banquet table near to bursting full of the most delicious dainties one could hope to come across. A giant coconut roasted hog gleamed, apple in mouth, meat so tender and inviting. There was garlic mashed potatoes, buttered corn on the cob and what looked like moist cornbread. Sweets of every kind and make filled the white clothed table. Cherry tarts, blueberry cobbler and double cream filled pastries were just some of the bounty presented to them.
It took a moment for the boys to notice the figure standing beside the table so motionless and regal. Other than the mana the boys had recently lost, the pair had not seen food like this in years – Lucas could not even remember a meal so grand.
The Evil One appeared like a kindly old man and smiled at the lads. “Sorry to awaken you from a slumber so dear. It just so happens I have what your dreams desire. Come take part with me I do entreat.”
Lucas almost launched himself at the glorious food table and was a little put off when he saw Michael had him held back by the wrist. “Michael … I’m starving let go!” But his prattling fell on deaf ears. Michael was instantly suspicious of such kindness so close to their goal. They had endured too much to take any chances now.
“Take, eat boys, there is plenty and to spare!” announced the Evil One. “No thank you” Michael quietly announced giving his brother a “bear with me” look.
Rather put off the Evil One snapped his fingers and the table vanished. Of a sudden the boys were at the top of the steps of the Temple in Lullaby Falls. The sun was shining bright, a cool breeze caressed them. The entire crowd was chanting their praises and they were clad in rich white cotton robes with gold trim.
The Evil One put his arms around the boys shoulders as they faced the merry throng. “You have come so far, all you have to do is kneel here at my side and this will be made reality”. The Evil One had full mastery over the world, this was no lie it was within his power to give (after a manner that is).
“We will not” declared Michael, his brother Lucas shot him a incredulous look.
Starting to not look nearly so kind to the boys the Evil One snapped his fingers and they were back at the Tower’s entrance.
The Evil One considered the boys very closely then announced “I know your hearts true desire, just bow your head to me and here is your reward” of a sudden Hermelgora appeared asleep on the ground beside the boys. Lucas fell upon her weeping and Michael’s eyes welled with tears when he saw her chest breathing in her slumber.
Girding up his loins Michael gathered all of his strength “We have come this far and to give up our quest now would taint her sacrifice, no we will not bow our heads to you”. Lucas ran and clutched Michael’s leg and pounded his thigh in frustration. Michael gently patted his brother on his head.
Utterly defeated the Evil One snapped his fingers and a fire consumed the sleeping Hermelgora whose vanishing scream would stay with the lads all their days. “You boys are fools, I offered you everything you quested for and asked a pittance in return. This is fine, enter the tower boys your true test has not yet been realized!” and with that dark remark the Evil One vanished in a puff of black smoke off to seek after easier prey.
The sun broke the tree tops, morning was upon the two boys. Michael took Lucas’s hand and they entered the tower at journeys end.
