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I try thinking of a way to outwit the Old Creature While I ht not be able to open aback to Earth, I&039;m sure I can open one to the demon universe and return home from there But Art reads my mind and chuckles

"I will not permit it"

"You can&039;t stop me," I retort

"Actually I can I have the power to tear apart anythat you create, and I can do it before theopens If necessary, we can stay here for decades and duel with each other, but I would not reco on a , to test hi the truth Cursing, I begin to question hiain, but he only turns and walks back to the stone cha for us

"What is it to be?" Art asks

Since I&039;ve no real choice, I snarl and step forith him

Just before I reach the , Art&039;s body unravels and he becoain "I have to travel like this," he tellsinside ain But I will resume the shape of Art e come to our next stop"

"Whatever" I sniff unhappily, bitter at being manipulated

The light sweeps over and surrounds ives the coress

Over the next few hours we pass through several chambers similar to the one on Atlantis Some are made of stone but others are carved out of wood, hts, a dome of panels and patches We don&039;t leave any of these chah for Art to open a ne, then ain

I&039;m still amazed by Atlantis, stunned by the proof of other life-forms in our universe I always assus on other worlds But to see an actual alien was an incredible experience Even if it did just look like a big slug!

Art&039;s a quiet guide He concentrates on steering us from one chamber to the next I don&039;t think it&039;s easy These patches of lights aren&039;t as easily mastered as the ones I&039;m accustomed to It seems to be hard work

I&039;m still worried about Dervish and the others, and in shock about the loss of Beranabus But there&039;s nothing I can do, so I lie back and bidemore powerful than ht or escape Yet

We pass through anotherand I find ed chamber I&039;m not sure what the walls are h, parts of the walls glow It&039;s not reenish blocks They&039;re like underwater gloor theclose behind us The lights surroundinght transforms into a boy

"What?" Art frowns

"The shield"

"It is nothing special"

"Are you tired?" I ask, detecting weariness in his tone

"Yes" He sighs "Travel of this nature is draining We don&039;t norainst us, so I must push myself"

"How far have we come?"