Rev's Odyssey by R. R. Kaufman (the reading list .txt) 📕

does this movie called Crazy Crossover mean?

 

Wolfie

Faze played a part in that movie where savages are chasing her and a giant bird whisks her away to safety.

 

Rev

I think I see where this is going.

 

Wolfie

Are you ready to take a leap of faith?

 

Rev

Ahh, I think so. Does this have something to do with Kleng.

 

Wolfie

You’re not backing out are you?

 

Rev

Never. But I think I’m too big to ride Kleng.

 

Wolfie

I agree. You won’t be riding on Kleng. Instead she will be holding on to you.

 

Rev

Okay. I hope Kleng knows what she’s doing. Otherwise I’m all in.

 

As they walked towards the high cliff overlooking Lux Crag, they talked some more about the preparations necessary for her journey.

 

Rev

Faze told me about Tailbone Island. Crystal Falls and Eagle Bluff are safe havens. Okay bay is not okay

 

Wolfie

Exactly. If you land on Eagle Bluff find someone called Erik. At Crystal Falls there is a woman by the name of Monique. At either place you will find shelter. And do me one small favor if all goes well.

 

Rev

Of course. Anything.

 

Wolfie

If you see Stango give him a big hug from me.

 

Rev

How will I know I’ve got the right tiger? I mean I don’t want to be some tiger’s lunch.

 

Wolfie

Good point. I believe there is only one tiger on Tailbone Island. But just in case, Stango has a white mark on his nose in the shape of a diamond. One other thing, which you should know. Razor has given the locals the idea that Stango is a man-eater. She has trained him to act ferocious but he is quite harmless.

 

Rev

I’d love to meet Stango. I’ll definitely give him a big hug from you. And please send a message to my father about where I’m going.

 

They remained silent as they approached the take off point overlooking the canyon. When they reached the edge of the cliff Wolfie strapped Rev’s hands to a thick round stick. There was enough room at each end for Kleng to grasp with its claws.

 

Wolfie

Hold your arms and hands up high.

 

Then he whistled loudly. Kleng appeared out of nowhere and nosedived full speed towards Rev. She could hardly keep her hands from shaking as she stretched out her arms towards the sky.

 

Wolfie

No goodbyes this time, Rev. Only hellos when you return.

 

Before Rev could reply she was thrust off her feet and lifted high in the sky.

 

Chapter 33

 

 

Rev’s heart beat rapidly. She never felt this excited in her life. The wind rushed against her whole body. Kleng’s huge wings moved gracefully up and down. Sailing high above the canyon Rev experienced a higher perception of everything she saw. Her whole being enjoyed a wondrous feeling of heightened awareness. All her senses became magnified. She was more alive than she had ever been. She never wanted it to end.

Kleng turned slightly, positioning its right wing higher and lowering its left wing. It started to descend gradually. Rev could see everything that was small below her getting bigger.

She held on firmly to the wooden pole as Kleng spotted an open field and drifted in close to the ground. It held its wings back and released its grip on the pole.

Rev was barely off the ground and timed Kleng’s release just as she came in contact with the ground and began running. Out of breath, she collapsed and lay stretched out on her back looking up at the sky.

She shielded her eyes from the sun as Kleng disappeared into the blue.

Rev jumped to her feet and slid her hands to the ends of the pole to free herself from the ropes. She looked over to Wolfie’s spot on his cliff. She caught the bright reflection of his telescope and waved to him. She knew he was watching out for her from afar.

Rev set about her climb to the top of Lux Crag. She moved through the long grassy field until she came across a plane of flat rocks. She scaled up the rocks placing her feet carefully. She noticed a thin path in the distance. Continuing on the path led her to the base of the high tower. The path wound around the tall pillar of stone.

Out of breath Rev reached the top of the crag. At the center of a massive plateau she was overcome by the enormous golden orb. Rapidly spinning it was suspended in the air, high above Rev. Multiple revolving bands of light oscillated around it constantly.

It reminded Rev of the gyroscope in professor Mars’ workshop only this was solid light and soared higher than any tree.

Rev stared and wondered how to enter the Lux? She tried to move forward but an opposing energy field stopped her.

Then a large stone ball suddenly appeared below the floating orb.

Rev hesitated and then slowly approached it. Rev stretched her hand out and touched the perfectly round stone. It was smooth as glass and pitch black. Like a giant marble at least five times higher than her, she could see her reflection in it.

As she moved around it Rev was surprised to see some indentations on the giant black stone. What are these doing here? They looked like a pair of handprints. She stretched her hands out and placed them in the impressions of the giant black marble.

Instantly a square slab of stone slid out of the black sphere towards Rev. On it were three rows, each with three holes equally spaced out. On its ledge lay nine stones. Each stone had a separate number from one to nine chiseled on it.

The words below the rock slab read: < Place the stones in the correct holes. All diagonal, vertical and horizontal rows must always add up to the sum of fifteen. You have one hundred and twenty seconds. You have no second chance. >

A round timer cut out of the stone started the countdown.

Rev wasn’t prepared for this but at least she understood the instructions.

She remained calm and resigned not to be beat by this obstacle. She must solve it and enter the Lux.

Okay, nine holes and nine numbers, one to nine. She immediately placed the middle number, five, into the exact center of the puzzle.

Her father always emphasized that Rev must attain balance in her life. This seemed like a logical choice for the puzzle. On the top row, she then placed the number four above the number five. Then on the bottom row she placed the number six under the number five. They all added up to fifteen. But when she placed the other numbers around it, nothing added up to fifteen.

Becoming frustrated, Rev screamed at the big rock. Don’t panic. Just think, Rev told herself. You can do this. You’ve come this far.

She kept moving and changing the numbered stones around but nothing worked. Forty five seconds remained on the timer.

Sweat rolled down her forehead and blocked her vision. She wiped it off with her sleeve.

Rev tried a new approach. She put the four, five and six in a diagonal formation on the square. She moved the number eight around to different positions. Finally she put it in one of the corners and then placed the number two in the opposite diagonal corner. It worked. They added up to fifteen.

Then a flash shot through her head. The even numbers go on the corners and the odd numbers in between. She quickly juggled the odd numbers around the vacant holes. She stared at the puzzle and added up each row. It worked. It must be right.

 

4 3 8

9 5 1

2 7 6

 

The timer stopped at twelve seconds and the puzzle stone slab retreated backwards. A large door appeared.

Rev didn’t hesitate. She stepped forward into the darkness.

 

 

 

 

Chapter 34

 

 

Rev entered the huge black marble. The door behind her closed seamlessly. Complete darkness engulfed her. From the uppermost dome of the interior a laser light pierced the darkness. It created a circular motion on the floor below. An arrow on the floor illuminated and pointed towards the direction of the circular spinning light in the center of the floor.

Rev proceeded warily. As she came closer to the spinning light it changed to a variety of colors. A roaring sound echoed off the round walls. It sounded like a windstorm over the sea. She stood just outside the circle of light, took a deep breath and took the final step.

Covered in a golden light, Rev floated up midway between the ceiling and the floor of the golden orb above the stone rock. Total tranquility gently moved like a wave through her whole being. No fear or anxiety was able to penetrate her existence. She felt safe and protected as if in a womb. Rev was flipped upside down and lifted to the top of the dome. Barely touching the wall with her feet, she travelled along the spherical interior walls as if she were a ball on a string of light being tossed around perpetually.

Faster and faster she orbited the interior of the Lux until she reached that surreal state between being awake and asleep. And then … nothing.

 

In a dream state, Rev kept falling in slow motion. She couldn’t stop. Nothing to grasp or hold onto. Where was she? Helpless, her old enemies of fear and panic returned to her body. Then her body smacked into something. Cold water. Deeper and deeper she fell in the cold darkness. She flung her arms wildly.

Rev coughed up water and gasped for air as she reached the surface. Huge waves propelled her to shore. She crawled on her hands and knees and came to rest in a safe area. Her vision was blurred as she noticed some older girls approaching her. One of them stuck her face up close to Rev. She reached for Rev’s tiger amulet but when she took hold of it the strange girl was hurled backwards as if she received an electric shock.

Somehow it energized Rev back to life as she sat up.

 

Rev

What are you doing?

 

One of the three island girls, named Allie, with thick wavy hair on top but cut short at the back, replied.

 

Allie

Never mind who we are. Who are you and how did you get here? And why did you try to electrocute me with that locket of yours?

 

Rev

I can’t remember how I got here. As far as the locket, I have no idea why it doesn’t like you.

 

The other two island girls laughed. They introduced each other. The one called Chloe, had colorful drawings all over her arms and neck. Her hair was done up at the top. She had a nice smile and wore big sunglasses. The last one called herself Zhen. She acted calm and reserved. She was probably the leader, thought Rev. She also figured they were about twenty years of age, about five years older than her. Rev introduced herself.

 

Chloe

Don’t mind Allie. Let’s get you more comfortable Rev.

 

Zhen reached out her hand and helped Rev to her feet. Chloe led the way back to their camp. It didn’t take long to reach their sheltered cove. Some huge rocks protected their tents on three sides of the base camp. The other side overlooked the ocean that blew Rev to