"I feel like doing something evil," Ojash said. He was sitting in my room with Fabrizzio (and myself). "But what?"
"Well," Fabrizzio said, "you could turn Ben's lamp on." Ojash went and did so. I glared at him (and Jenny snickered) as I turned the lamp off. "You could also rearrange his books." Ojash did that too. I told him to stop (coupled with another glare) and put them back. "Oh, you could steal his pencils too. That'd tick him off." Ojash did so as well.

"Ojash," I said, standing up and grabbing his arm, "you are becoming a minor nuisance. Please stop." I took the pencils and put them back.
"Oh, Ojash, you should take his American Flag and scratch your back with it."
"Oh yes, that sounds delightfully evil," he responded. He grabbed my flag as I was sitting down. I glared at him.
"Don't even. Ojash, if you grab that, I swear you will regret it."
"Yeah, I doubt it." He reached back with the flag, and I got up, grabbed my vacuum rod, and hit him in the head. He fell to the floor in pain and dropped the flag, which I promptly caught before it hit the floor. I put it back in its spot and glared at him as he got up.

"Never mess with The Flag." I bopped him on the head again, and he passed out. Fabrizzio and Jenny both broke out into laughter, though Fabrizzio didn't hear Jenny.
* * *
After I awoke on Sunday, I noticed that my room was filled with people. "Good morning sleepy-head," Jenny greeted me. "Have fun reading your book? You have company."
I looked and saw many people in my room. Ojash, Daniel, Tim, Hiro, Tyler, Fabrizzio, Michael, and Derek were all in the room. "So," Derek said, "let's see that book you got."
I didn't feel like hiding it, so I grabbed it and chucked it at him. I rolled out of bed and stood up.
"So," Tyler said, "Hiro said you came back early this morning with this. Did you go back and take it?"
"Nope," I responded. "I found it in my mailbox last night." They stared at me oddly. "What?"

They don't believe you. It's too farfetched for them.
You're telling me.

"Well, let's say you did," Derek said. "What does the book even say?"
I thought for a moment about what to tell them. I was about to start explaining, when the voice began speaking again.

Lie.
What?
Lie. It's that simple. Tell them that you all need to return to the portal. All will be explained there.

I knew what it said was true. The book had only confused me more. It said some things that I couldn't quite figure out, and I knew that the portal was the only solution.
"I'm not quite sure. I didn't understand it for the most part."
"Great," Tim said. "You don't know what its saying so you and yet you read it. How smart."
"I know, right? Anyway, it's not our problem. I'll go and put this book back down there tonight."
"Perfect idea," I heard Jenny say before I heard Tyler say "Oh no you don't. We're going with you to make sure you put it back. All of us." I looked and saw them all nodding, and I knew there was no way to prevent them. Of course, this was exactly what the voice had wanted, but somehow I didn't quite trust it.

You know I can hear you.
I'm not going to lie inside my own head. Besides, it's good for you to know.
Have it your way. Trust me or not, I am here to stay.

"Hey guys, what're you doing?" Murray said, entering from the hall. "I just got back from home a couple minutes ago. So, party in Ben's room I take it?"
About half of the people in my room looked at me, including Derek and Tyler. Apparently, I was heading this adventure now, and I guess that meant it was up to me to decide whether to tell Murray or not. Either that, or there was something on my face. "Well," Jenny said, "I think we both know that they're deferring to you. So, fearless leader, what's it gonna be?"
"Murray, you may want to take a seat. In fact, let's get everyone a chair or something to sit on before we begin this pow-wow."

You don't need to tell any of them. They don't need to know. You all just need to return to the portal.
Hush up, I don't care what you have to say. I'm telling them, and that's final. I feel they need to know.
You may do as you wish, though you may regret it.

Once everyone was seated, I told the entirety of the story, beginning with stumbling upon the book in the archives and ending with looking in depth at the other book that last night/morning. I outlined some of the things it said, like about the pure evil and the portal's defenders (and the fights that supposedly would ensue). I told them about the idea that the portal would give its protectors powers to protect it, but would also do whatever it took for the need of self-preservation. I informed them that the book was very descript about what the portal did, too descript in fact, because I couldn't understand a word of it. I only left out two details - the voices in my head (for obvious reasons) and the specifics of the book about the Ultimate Evil, which got too creepy for me. Not wanting to frighten them, I left that out. When I finished, I looked at the group again. I wasn't sure what they were thinking, so I asked.

"Personally," said Tim, "I'd love to believe that we'll get powers, but I doubt it."
"I don't believe it at all," Derek said. "I find it highly difficult to think that a portal, which we've only seen once, could possibly give us powers in order to protect itself."
"I don't know," Murray said. "It seems kinda odd that the book would just randomly appear in his mailbox, which I do believe as well."
"I'm not quite sure what to think," Tyler said. "It seems too soon to be ruling anything out or embracing anything."
"I'd have to agree with that," said Ojash. "But I do admit, having a power would be cool."
"Yeah, I kinda want one, and I kinda do believe it some too," Daniel said.
"I want to believe it, but I really have trouble in doing so," said Hiro, struggling a bit to get the words out.
"You know guys," Fabrizzio began, "I really do believe it. I think it's completely plausible. Mind you, I'm not so sure it'll be us, but I still agree with Murray."
Michael looked at us all. "Ben, you're crazy." He said. Derek smiled and made a haughty noise. "However, you're totally right." Derek looked at him.
"What do you mean, he's right? There's nothing to even suggest it!"
"Actually," Casey said from outside my door, "I would believe him. It actually does sound plausible." No one had noticed him show up except Jenny, who told me shortly after I began that he had arrived.
"So, the consensus is that it's true, but may not refer to us, I take it?" I said.
"Sounds about right," said Murray.
"Even I would have to agree with that," Tyler noted.
Derek sighed, but nodded. "So, we're all going back tonight to put this book back and see what happens then?" We all nodded, and then people left.

"Hey Ben," Murray said after everyone else had left (including Hiro, who had gone to the library to print something off). "Is it possible that you guys already got powers and just don't know it?" Jenny chuckled when he said that, but I cringed.

Go on, tell him about me. Perhaps I am the superpower.

"Murray, I highly doubt it. I don't know exactly what happened when I touched the portal, but I know I don't have powers. At least, not yet."
"Ok. I hope we get them soon. I want something cool to augment my robotness." He then left to leave me with my thoughts, of which I had a lot. I had to figure out how we were going to all get back, then figure out whether we should put the book back and run or try and actually get powers or...

"You know, you should tell me what you're thinking. I can't read minds." Jenny was obviously annoyed.
"I was just trying to figure out how all eleven of us are going to get back in, since it was an accident. Then I need to decide whether we should try and do a drop and dash or actually attempt to get powers. Then I need to figure out how to get back..."
"Don't worry about it. You'll figure out something. You may be a dork, but you're a smart dork."
"Thanks."
"Not a problem. All I'm saying is that you'll know what to do when the time comes." She then fell silent, probably resting. The other voice then returned.

I can tell you an easier way to get to the Sptoeretlael.
Really? How?
It's simple really. How did you return from it?
We touched a hieroglyphic of it and then shot upward into the Pub.
Exactly. Don't you think that there would be some similar mechanism in the Pub for getting back?
Actually, no, I don't. Considering the Sptoeretlael has been there for centuries and the Pub was just recently built (in a relative sense), I don't believe that the Pub would have a way to get back down there. I think the portal just has a way to get up to ground level, which just so happens to be the Pub.
Nice thinking, but no. The Pub does have a link there, you just have to find it. You could go looking now...
What, are you not going to tell me like you did last time?
No. I had reason to last time, this time I just feel you should know there is a simpler route.
Ok, let me get this straight. You want me to return to the portal, with my friends.
Correct.
But you don't want them to know what they are in for.
Also correct.
But now that they'll be going, you want us to be more efficient about it?
Correct again.
What are you?
You tried that with the girl, and it didn't work because she doesn't know. I, however, know what I am. But I won't tell you. You don't need to know what I am.
I beg to differ, seeing as you live inside of me...
Technicality. Believe me; I don't enjoy it in here.
Do you have a name at least?
I do not have a name, but if you wish, you may call me Sethos.
Okay. Well Sethos, why won't you tell me the shorter way if you wish me to use it?
It shouldn't be hard to find. I've already set the stage for you, all you have to do is act.

There was a knock on my door interrupting our mental debate. I opened the door to find Jordan standing outside. I invited him in and he sat on one of the many leftover chairs. "So," he asked, "did you find the portal?"
"If I said yes, would you believe me?"
"Actually, you'd be surprised. Like I said, I wouldn't have expected it, but that doesn't mean I won't believe it. But did you?"
I paused. "Yes, we did."
"Sweet. I take it you're going back tonight?"
I was about to ask how he knew, but I figured the point was moot. "Yes, it's true, we are. I take it you want to join?"
"Of course. You freshman should have a proper chaperone."
"Thanks..."
"So where are you guys meeting?"
I hadn't thought of that.

The Pub, of course. You can figure it out before they all get there, can't you?

"The Pub. I think there may be an easier way to get there, but if not, it's an easy starting place anyway."
"Alright, I'll be there around 9ish. That cool with you?"
"Yep." He then stood up and left, thanking me for inviting him before he was out the door. I shut it again.

"What was that?" Jenny shouted at me. "I mean, are you just going to let everyone possibly risk their lives by going to this gravely dangerous place for little reason? Seriously, I take back saying you are smart."

Ignore her, she knows not what she says. She knows not what she is.
And you do?

Silence...for once.
* * *
I was in the pub at around 8:15. I wanted to figure out where the link was, and I tried to remember what Sethos had said. "I've set the stage, you have to act..."
"What does that mean," Jenny asked me. I paused, mentally cursing at this mistake.
"I saw it in the book; I think it's a riddle. Supposedly we can get back to the portal from here."
"Well then, why don't you try the stage like place over there?"
I looked where she meant, and saw that, sure enough, it was a stage. "Wow. I can't believe I didn't see that before..."
"I can't believe I called you smart, dork."

I climbed onto the stage and looked around a bit for some kind of device or symbol that looked like it would take me to the portal. I looked around for a few minutes and saw nothing, and then it hit me. I knew exactly where to look. I walked over to the side, went to the back wall, and saw it right there in the corner. "I knew I had seen it before..." It was the same exact symbol for the portal that was in the hieroglyphics. I was actually amazed I didn't recognize it. I was about to test it when I saw Tyler walk in.

"Someone's a tad early."
"You know me," he responded. "I have to be early. Who else will be here to annoy you before we head off?"
"You don't annoy me that much."
"I know. Anyway, what are you doing up there?"
"I'll explain when more people arrive, speaking of which," I said as I noted Derek and Casey entering...with accompaniments. "Hi Derek, hi Casey...um...hi Lori and JoHanna..."

"Ha, even more people are here and it's not your fault," Jenny said to me. "I stand by the idea that your friends aren't the most discrete bunch." I had to agree with her 100%, though I wouldn't tell her that. I was actually kinda annoyed. It was bad enough that I had to coordinate this for twelve people, including myself. Now I had to more to deal with.

"Hey guys...um...not to be rude in saying this, but why are you here?"
"Derek and Casey told us," Lori said. "I think this Spitoritail portal thing would be pretty cool to see."
"Sptoeretlael," I corrected.
"Anyway," JoHanna said, "you don't have a problem with us tagging along, do you? I mean two extra heads can't be that much a problem."
"I guess not. I just wish that some people [I glared at Derek and Casey] would have told me that they were planning on inviting people.
"Oh, we weren't planning on it," Derek said. "It just kinda came up."

Instead of wondering about how a mystical portal with supernatural abilities can just "come up", I thought about what exactly we were all going to do down there. Pretty soon, Daniel, Ojash, Fabrizzio, Hiro and Tim came by to join our group. I was glad to see that they hadn't brought anyone else, but that feeling left as I saw Michael enter with Paul and Eric, our floors resident cyclists. I gave Michael a look and he looked back and said, "Look, I know you're probably angry with me but I don't care. It just came up as we were talking, and so I brought them with."
I was amazed that Sahir wasn't with them also...
I took a mental tally. We were missing two people. It was about 8:45, so I guess it was pretty good. I looked over just in time to see Jordan enter (by himself, thankfully) and sit down by our group. He looked around at the large number of people and it appeared as if he chuckled. I guess he was thinking the same thing about the number of people that I was.

I was still on the stage and I looked over at another door, which was opening. Much to my surprise, I saw Meghan Raebel. She walked over and sat by Casey. I looked at her oddly, and she looked at me oddly in response. I hopped down and approached her. "How did you find out about this?"
"The word got around. Some people aren't exactly discrete, you know."
I sighed. "Yes, I know. Let me guess, it just came up." She nodded and I sighed again and hopped back on the stage. Rachel then came in. She walked up on stage right as I was getting back up and punched me. "That's for leaving me out of this little excursion."
"I didn't even think to tell you," I muttered sarcastically. Rachel shot me a look and then smiled and laughed as she went to sit down. "I'm surprised she didn't bring people..." I said to myself."
"You should be thankful she didn't," Jenny responded.

My sister walked in just as I was doing so. She walked up and sat on the edge of the stage by me. I looked at her. "What?" she said. "You didn't think you were going without me, did you?"
I sighed, again. We now had six extra, though we were will down one robot. Murray walked in just then, waving at me as he sat down. I checked my watch - 9:00 exactly. We had twenty total people for the trip...what a fun number.

I addressed the group. "We are about to enter ancient ruins, a place where long lost power resides. By being here and coming with, you all acknowledge the potential risks of what we are about to do. We may become ravenous creatures, we may be forced to become slaves of the Sptoeretlael, we may even somehow get superpowers. If we enter the portal, there is no telling where we may end up. It could be somewhere safe or somewhere where we'll die instantly. No one can be sure. By entering the chambers, you may be making yourself a target for this ultimate evil that we may encounter.
"Then again, perhaps this is all just legend. Who knows? Well, I guess we will very soon..."

"Are you ready for this, oh fearless leader," Jenny asked me. I chuckled.
"Alright, if everyone would please hop up on the stage, we can procede." I got a lot of confused looks. "I found a quicker way in, but you all need to be up on the stage or you'll be left behind." I actually had no proof of that, seeing as it was pure conjecture, but I figured that was probably correct.

No, you are correct. You are quite perceptive, might I say. Perhaps you won't be such a bad body to live in for all eternity...
What?
Nothing...

Once everyone was on the stage, I made my way to the back corner. I touched the hieroglyphic...and nothing happened. I tried again, still nothing. "Damn you Sptoeretlael," I muttered under my breath (while still touching the hieroglyphic). That seemed to do it.
We shot downward. It all happened insanely fast, but it was as if we were all tethered to the stage. It felt as if the world was moving around the stage, not the other way around. We reached our destination and the stage dissolved into the ground in the ruins. We were facing the portal again. We were back at the Sptoeretlael.
I took the book out of my pocket (the one I had received in my mailbox not even 24 hours before) and it grew to regular size. I skimmed through it one last time, looking for anything about what we should do. I closed it, finding nothing, and looked at my peers. Some of them seemed awestruck by the Sptoeretlael, while others were looking around the room in amazement. Even the ones who had been with yesterday still seemed to be looking around, noticing new things.
I called upon Sethos.

What now?
Why do you ask me? Why don't you approach the Sptoeretlael itself?

I actually thought that was a good idea. Clutching the book, I walked up to the portal. I didn't make the mistake of touching it again. Instead, I just looked at it up close. I saw the dark red and purple colors swirling with the black...it was entrancing. So entrancing that soon everyone was looking into it. It went black for a second or two, and came back with a vibrant amount of color and scenery. A rainforest full of exotic animals I recognized and didn't was what appeared in the Sptoeretlael. There were lush greens and amazing heights, and this forest just seemed to have an otherworldly quality.
It was as if we could see this beautiful landscape so close that we could touch it.
So close, it was as if we were being sucked in.
Which is exactly what happened.

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