Chapter 9: Visible Ghost

Travelling further along the jungle path, ‘epIk and Samuel, now Kopesh-Ra, enter a clearing in the vegetation. From here they can see that they are on a hilltop, overlooking a long valley that lay between two colorful mountain ranges. At the far end of the valley, a City glowing golden and green can be glimpsed standing on a tall hill. Samuel – Kopesh-Ra – is awed with wonder and joy, breathing deeply and expanding his chest tightly into his new skin. He cannot believe such a world could exist, and has been kept from him his whole life, except in the form of fairy tales. ‘epIk advises that the valley is where they need to go if they are to further their knowledge of the Secret Number with which they can be prepared to face The Beast.

Heading back into the jungle they descend toward the valley. In the distance, smoke rises from a small village. They hear numerous sounds of life calling, howling, tweeting, screeching in the jungle around them. Kopesh-Ra is stunned at the seeming volume of the life around him; never has he seen such natural vibrance. He breathes in the air as if it was his first breath of life. But when he exhales he notices that all has gone quiet. ‘epIk stops in front of him and waits.

Suddenly, a ghastly and impermanent white figure appears out of thin air before them on the trail and quickly approaches. The ghost, visible and material at will, stretches its hands out and passes each hand through ‘epIk and Kopesh-Ra. A cold sensation passes through them both and they feel numbed from the inside out, as if their spines had been severed, yet they were intact. Falling to the ground, the ghost hovers above them menacingly. But Kopesh-Ra feels quickly regenerated by the bio-memetic suit and rises to his feet. The ghost, now like a naked pale human male, steps back, astonished, and kneels before Kopesh-Ra. In a halting, wispy whisper, the visible ghost says, “None other has felt my grip and risen, but you, you are the One, the Ra. I grant you my servitude and my power.”

Kopesh-Ra glances beside him and sees ‘epIk lying there, as if in a coma. “Ressurect my friend from this ill fate.” The visible ghost casts a long glance at ‘epIk and slowly, he too rises from the jungle path. He starts at the sight of the ghost, but Kopesh-Ra reassures him that they have a new ally, loyal to the end. ‘epIk looks down the path and says, “That way, through the Valley of the Strange Birds, will lead us to the Dream City.” As the three figures advance down the path, the visible ghost whispers, “Yes, but do not forget that there is a toll to be paid for any who approaches. The Beast awaits.”