Legend of the Book Keeper

by Daniel Blackaby

  Before the walls of Atlantis, the power of the Orb was used as a horrifying instrument of bloodshed. The war lasted only three days. Many lives were lost in the bloodbath and Atlantis was left in scorched rubble. In the end, it was Ishmael who emerged victorious over his brother. Yet, the powerful love for his brother drove Ishmael to ignore the urges of his counselors and spare his brother’s life. Instead he had his brother sign a covenant.

  In the aftermath of the dreadful war, Ishmael realized the danger of the Orb. As such, the covenant proposed to limit the Orb’s access to only a select, trusted few. In order to restrict and keep the knowledge secret, the ancient words of power were copied down into two different Books and the seven stone tablets were destroyed. The first Book contained only the ancient words; it is known as The Code. The second Book contained only the translations and instructions on how to read The Code. It is called The Key. To appease the Golden King’s demands, the Books also served a second purpose—to funnel power. By using the Orb’s power, the brothers infused the Books with the ability to channel the Orb to the individual keeper of the Book. In a way, he who held one of the two Books also held the Orb. They then contrived a fail safe to prevent anyone other than that single owner from ever using the Book’s power; a terrible evil that was never to be spoken of, and only released in dire circumstances.

  The Books were divided between the two kingdoms, allowing each city to possess only one half of the whole. The Golden King and his ravenous lust for power designated himself as the Book Keeper of The Key. However, Ishmael, who had been devastated beyond healing by the loss of his wife, as well as over two thirds of the city’s population, never wanted to be tempted to use the Orb’s power for violence ever again. He therefore refused to become the keeper of The Code. Instead, he entrusted the Book to his more trusted member of The Twelve, a noble and reliable man.

  Both men knew that the soul of the Golden King had been corrupted beyond repair, and that even as the supernaturally binding covenant was being made, he was secretly scheming to steal The Code. He dreamed of gaining the full knowledge of the Orb for his own purposes. Desperate to prevent the Golden King from uniting the two Books and obtaining endless power, Ishmael ordered his trusted ally to flee above ground with The Code and keep it forever hidden. The power of the Book ensured the longevity of the man’s life. The name of that man was Wesley. For a thousand years the Book remained hidden and in his care, that is, until now, when it has been brought back to the one place that Ishmael never wanted it to be: Atlantis.

  Cody shook his head disbelievingly as Cia finished her tale. He did not want to believe it, but he knew in his heart that it was true. He recalled the bizarre picture he had found framed in Wesley’s bedroom and suddenly the pieces all began to fit. His eyes focused on the Book lying in the middle of the restricted room. The Code. For most of the last week Cody had hauled the Book around in his backpack, completely oblivious that he possessed the gateway to accessing the power of the universe; the power to become a god. Cody looked up at the four royal siblings staring intensely at him. Jade laughed.

  “So, this water well just magically appeared out of thin air? And just so happened to lead to the center of the earth?” she challenged suspiciously, raising her eyebrow slightly. “And this power . . . this orb. Where is it now? If it’s even real, then it’s obviously some sort of high-energy concentration of friction caused by heavy gravity in the earth’s core. Energy pockets in the earth are not uncommon. This is fifth grade-level science. Besides, what else could it be?”

  The siblings stared back at her knowingly. “What else, indeed?”

  Jade cast a skeptic look to Cody and back to Kantan. “Are you seriously suggesting that you think this orb is some sort of . . . tool used to create the earth? Left here by the creator of the universe? There is absolutely no logical proof, not to mention there is no creator. Who would ever believe such a ridiculous explanation?”

  “I would,” answered Cody softly. Jade’s face flushed. Kantan held up his hand. Getting up, he retrieved several books from the corner of the room and returned to his seat. “Before you accuse us Underlings of being so senseless, perhaps you’d like to hear something that hits . . . a little closer to home.”

  He held up the first book and opened it. “This here, is the Koran, the holy book of the Muslims. Allow me to read it for you,” he cleared his throat. “‘Then turned He to the heavens when it was smoke, and said unto it the earth: come both of you, willingly or loth. They said: we come, obedient.’”

  He set the book down and lifted another. “This scroll is The Hymn to Atum, one of the Egyptian gods. It reads: ‘At the moment of creation, Atum spoke.’ Later it reads: ‘When the almighty speaks, all else comes to life.’”

  The prince picked up a third book from the pile. “This here is the Holy Bible, the sacred book of Christianity. Perhaps one you’re more familiar with.” Jade groaned and rolled her eyes. Kantan continued, “It reads: ‘by the word of the Lord were the heavens made, all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. For he spake, and it was done.’” He flipped through several pages, “or simply put: in the beginning was the word.” The Prince motioned toward the table of books. “I could go on, but I hope you are beginning to understand.”

  Jade shook her head. “I’m not following you. What is your point?” she demanded.

  Cia smoothed out the folds in her dress before answering, “Words. Religions tend to disagree with one another, but no matter what you believe about the formation of this world, one of the underlying themes in almost all belief systems, above ground, or below it, is the power to create by words. What Ishmael and the Golden King found on those seven stone tablets were those words; words which unlocked the chest containing the pious power to create!”

  “At least in your belief,” added Jade unenthusiastically.

  Cody’s eyes gleamed. “The large oval structure in the center of the city, the one made from smooth metal, is that . . . the Orb?” he asked eagerly.

  “Yes,” answered Kantan. “Well, literally, it is the shelling protecting the Orb. The Sanctuary of the Orb. Are either of you two familiar with the concept of ex nihilo?” Cody scrunched his forehead tight giving it the look of ocean waves. He wasn’t even sure he could spell the word, let alone understand it. Luckily, his best friend happened to be a world-class science nerd.

  “Ex nihilo?” replied Jade unimpressed, “It literally means out of nothing. A ridiculous belief that many religious nuts apply to the creation of the universe. I can’t even count the number of scientific theories that discredit such an outlandish idea.”

  Instead of frowning, Kantan grinned. “Let’s suppose you’re right. Suppose creation ex nihilo is entirely impossible. What if the universe wasn’t created out of nothing. What if the creator had a box, so to speak, to unpack it and organize it as he pleased. What if he had . . .”

  “An Orb,” finishing Cody, his eyes bulging from their sockets.

  “Precisely. An Orb that we can still access by using the words of creation, the High Language, as we call it. What if, as Jade mentioned, the Orb isn’t caused by gravity . . . but rather it’s causing gravity. No, Jade, we don’t have the proof you desire. We can’t prove what I say is true . . . but what if it is? Are you beginning to grasp just how crucial this Book is? The Orb is sacred. Only the Brotherhood of Light and the King himself are allowed access into the Sanctuary of the Orb.”

  “Brotherhood of Light?” Cody questioned, raising his right eyebrow slightly.

  “Worshippers of the Orb. Men dedicated to respecting its power, and only using it for good and life. They have preserved the High Language,” explained Foz in his steady voice.

  “And,” Kantan added, “they will oversee your training. You will report to the Monastery of the Brotherhood tomorrow evening where the high priest, Reverend Lamgorious Stalkton, will begin your instruction. Our servant, Poe Dapperhio will be assigned to you and will meet any of your needs. The Code will be sent . . .
”

  “Hold on,” Jade cut in firmly, “What training? Instruction for what exactly?”

  “Training on how to harness the power of the Book, of course. On how to use the High Language. To learn how to become a Creator,” answered Cia patiently. Jade stuck her finger in the princesses’ face, “Or to become a puppet in your war campaign. Don’t assume we’re stupid just because of our youth. I can see what’s going on here. You are going to exploit Cody for your own gain. To become a vessel for a king that hasn’t even shown his face since we arrived.”

  “Jade, stop.” Cody pleaded, “I want to learn. I want to be trained.”

  Jade stood up from her chair, her voice shaky with disbelief and frustration. “Cody, what are you doing? We don’t even know these people. You can’t seriously believe all this garbage about orbs, gods, and creation power, can you?” She turned to the royal family, “I mean, how is it that you could possibly know all this? Give me one good reason to believe you.”

  For the first time that night the answer came from the soft, meek voice of Eva, “We know this . . . because Ishmael is our father.” The revelation hit Cody like a bolt of lightning. He squinted his eyes shut tight before opening them again. He felt dazed by the overload of information.

  “Then, the Golden King is your uncle?” Jade asked in a surprised tone. Cia nodded slowly.

  “Is he . . . still out there?” Jade said in an unusually timid voice.

  Kantan’s focus fell to the floor. “Oh, yes, he is still very much out there. Not only is he out there, but his forces have been amassing on the Atlantis border. The forces of El Dorado are strong. The Golden King has grown impatient in his search for The Code. Something appears to have finally woken him from his dormant slumber. When he learns that The Code has returned to Atlantis, he will bring his armies crashing against the walls of our city like a flood. He will stop at nothing to gain the united strength of the two Books and the unending power of the Orb. A second Great War will take place, and this time, we don’t know if Atlantis will be strong enough to win.”

  Cody jumped up, grabbed the Book off the table, and shoved it out toward Kantan. “Then take it! I don’t want it. Give it to the King. Take it! Please!” Kantan swatted Cody’s hands away, “As much as I want to take it, I can’t. Our father will be devastated to learn of its return. Don’t you understand, Cody? The deal our father made with our uncle a thousand years ago was that only one person would be the keeper of the Book. After Wesley’s murder, somehow, by ways unknown to us, all of Wesley’s powers and responsibilities transferred to you. Cody, like it or not, you are the Book Keeper.”

  The Area

  The Book Keeper. It had a nice ring to it. Cody’s initial horror at the revelation of his unique connection with the Book had transformed into gleeful pride. The power was his. Even the mighty royal family seemed nervous around him now. He was special. He and Jade had been escorted to two rooms in the palace that were to be their lodgings in Atlantis. The rooms were spacious with fluffy, oversized beds. Cody belly-flopped onto his mattress and was engulfed in a sea of pillows. The warm comforter felt refreshing after the last couple nights of slumber on cold dirt ground and train seats. He reached to the side table and lifted the ruby pocket watch from it. The short hand continued to rotate franticly. He watched as the gold and purple hands inched slightly before resuming their petrified state. Where did they lead? If the taller red hand led toward his Book, The Code, was it a logical guess to presume that the golden hand would lead him toward the second Book, The Key? Perhaps. But then, where would the purple hand lead? He set the pocket watch back on the nightstand; his mind was too preoccupied for any more problem solving.

  At the request of Cia, The Code had been taken to the Monastery to be watched over by the Brotherhood of Light until Cody could begin his training the following evening. Cody happily obliged; he knew they wouldn’t be able to use it anyways. It was his.

  There was a soft knock on his door. When Cody opened it Jade was standing in the doorway. She was wearing a long white tunic and a thin, matching white headband. The paleness of the outfit illuminated her darker features giving her an almost exotic appearance. Cody suddenly realized he was staring at her. Jade smiled. “It’s the clothes they left us in our rooms. Guess they think we stand out too much with all our surface dweller clothes.” She laughed; it was the first time Cody remembered hearing her laugh in days. He was glad. “Anyways, Poe, the servant Prince Kantan assigned to us, has offered to show us around the city. He’s waiting downstairs. I’m anxious to get out and see if the rest of Atlantis is as wacko as its royal family!”

  “Yeah, it will be good to get out and walk around a bit. Give me a second.” On the side table by his bed was a similar stack of new clothes that had been left for him. He quickly removed his shirt. The moment he did so he felt the beams of Jade’s eyes slicing into his uncovered body. He felt embarrassed and vulnerable. He hastily changed into the rest of the clothes. They were surprisingly plain; just a baggy, brown tunic with a cloth belt. He felt slightly disappointed. He had hoped for something a little more majestic; a little more befitting of a Book Keeper. Perhaps even a gold B and K embroidered onto it. He made a mental note to ask Cia about it next time he saw her.

  By the time Cody reached the lobby Jade was already waiting. With her was one of the oddest-looking people Cody had ever seen in his life. Even Sean Schneil would have looked shockingly handsome next to this strange specimen. His body was shaped in the distinct formation of an overripe pear. His chubby head perfectly mirrored the shape of his body, only in miniature, as though the pair were part of a Russian Matryoshka doll set. A lonely regiment of scattered hair hung like string from his otherwise balding head. The sparse hair was tucked behind his oversized ears, which stuck out like kites. His face, like all the other inhabitants of Atlantis, was mousey. The man turned to Cody as he approached and gave a nervous smile. “Gg-greetings, most noble Master Cody,” he stuttered, “Poe Dapperhio at your humble service . . .”

  “Oh, Poe,” said Jade, “I’ve already told you, there is no need to be calling us master or noble or anything of the like. A simple Cody or Jade will do.” Cody sighed with disappointment. Most noble Master Cody—he had liked the sound of that.

  “You are most kind, Master Jade. If it pleases you, I will show you around Atlantis, our lovely, perfect city.” With an overly deep bow, the peculiar man waddled to the door. Cody and Jade followed close behind.

  The city took on new life in Cody’s eyes now that he understood some of its history. As he gazed over the people and buildings he tried to imagine what it must have been like when the twelve hunters had first come to the spot, back when it was just them and the Orb. Cody cranked his head around to see the crown-jewel structure behind him.

  “B-b-behind you,” stuttered Poe, “is the heart of Atlantis. The Sanctuary of the Orb.”

  Directly on cue, a loud gong sent sound waves streaming across the city. Instinctively every visible citizen knelt down to their knees and began chanting, “Hail the Orb of holy light, humbled we by its eternal might. Hail the Orb, let it shine forever bright.” As the crowd began chanting the phrase for the seventh time, Cody risked a glance up. Several men with dark red sashes across their chest and matching red headbands had remained standing. They were walking through the kneeling citizens as though inspecting them. The chant ended with a loud, “Amen.”

  As Cody stood he tugged on Poe’s sleeve. “Who are those men? The ones with the red sashes.” Poe’s face lit up and he gave a slight bow in direction of the men.

  “Those are the Enforcers. They work for the AREA, which of course stands for . . .”

  “The Atlantis Rule Enforcement Association,” finished Cody.

  Poe’s face gleamed with delight. “Y-y-yes! Well done! Splendid folk!”

  Cody eyed Jade curiously. “So you are in favor of the AREA? We’ve been given the impression that the Association is not well loved by the citizens . . .” Cody’s voice trai
led off.

  Poe’s face looked as though he had just witnessed his favorite pet fall victim to the plague. His eyes watered under his eyelids. “Not well loved? Rubbish! The AREA is Atlantis! Without them our city would fall to chaos! Nobody would know how to worship the Orb! Let us not speak of such horrors. . . .” Poe’s disproportioned body shook like a wet dog before waddling forward. As their tour of the Inner-City continued, Cody grew increasingly irritated by Poe’s stutter. He had the annoying tendency of stuttering only on the first word of his sentences, as though his tongue was incapable of smoothly pushing off from the starting line.

  They were shown all the workings of the Inner-City. Poe explained that because the majority of the actual industry took place in the Mid-City, the Inner-City acted as the metaphorical brain of Atlantis. All the most important citizens lived in spacious houses and all the headquarter buildings were in close proximity to the Royal Palace.

  Poe stopped abruptly to show them the Atlantis Food Processing Center. “Y-y-you can probably guess that here in Under-Earth we are not accustomed to the same vast food options that you Surface-Dwellers are.” Poe continued, “Although several nutritional elements have been imported from Upper-Earth, our main source of food consists of insects and deep-earth animals. But, for those with money, there is also the practice of de-fossilization.”

  “What’s that?” asked Jade curiously.

  Poe took in a deep breath; he seemed exceedingly pleased with himself to be the know-it-all-expert on the city. “W-w-well, de-fossilization is a practice which recycles what Upper-Earth is finished with. The ground of the Earth is not static; rather it is fluid, constantly in motion. Every time one age of life ends, another one is quick to take its place, reestablishing itself on top of the previous. As a result, the earth is like what you Surface-Dwellers call a tomato . . . or is that an onion? I always forget. Upper-Earth history was never my strongest subject; never really saw the point. Anyways, like your tomatoes, the earth is made of many layers. De-fossilization is the delicate art of going into these layers as they reach us and removing the fossilized objects, such as animals, nuts, fruits and so on. At our Food Processing Centers, such as this one, these fossils are rehydrated and the nutrients are regained. As they say, one Surface-Dweller’s three thousand year-old trash is an Underling’s dinner!” Cody shivered. The thought of threethousand year old, rehydrated woolly mammoth meat had suddenly caused him to lose his appetite.