by Aiden James
“She laughed and led me to the west side of the crystal cone.
“‘This room is the power center for the temple, energized by the sun’s radiation,’ she explained. ‘At times it can be almost uninhabitable in here, like when we first arrived, and especially during clear days when the sun’s at its highest.
“‘The triangular crystal and the golden plate it sits on operate as a passive battery, continually absorbing energy from the atmosphere around us—even at night or during the coldest extremes of winter. The amount of energy stored up here is more than ample to support our temple, village, and even the surrounding groves and meadows. But if ever this power center failed us, we have a far more powerful energy source beneath the temple courtyard.’
“I looked out through the cone’s crystal wall. My head immediately swam from dizziness. At least three to four thousand feet above the ground, everything below looked so minuscule and far away through wispy clouds surrounding the tower’s peak. The entire village could easily have fit inside the edge of my pinky nail. Toward the west, endless forests and lakes stretched into the distance, blending into the deep blue of a majestic mountain range. Confused, I moved to the north side of the cone and saw even more forests, lakes, and rivers, with a much larger body of water further away.
“When I moved over to the east side, I again saw nothing but forests and rivers until my view reached the great ocean beyond. What in the hell’s going on here? I ran over to the south side, said a quick prayer and looked. All I could see for miles were vast green forests penetrated only by rivers and lakes that eventually emptied into another ocean. A sliver of gold light glowed many miles away, along the ocean’s southwestern shoreline. Another tower, perhaps, like the one I presently stood in?
“‘Where’d my home go, Genovene?’ My growing anxiety caused my voice to crack. ‘It’s gone! Where in the hell are we? Everything’s gone!!’
“Gently and affectionately, she put her arm around my waist and pulled me close to her.
“‘Jack, don’t be alarmed or afraid,’ she said, tenderly. ‘What you see before you isn’t the world as it is today, with all of its crime, overpopulation, and blatant disregard for nature. You’re seeing the world as originally intended. The world from many hundreds of years ago before mankind overran this wonderful garden you see all around you. The distant locales you’ve just seen have been brought much closer by the powerful magnification of the crystal.
“‘The present day world is still with us, which I’ll show you soon. To understand my people and our purpose, you must at least have some knowledge of where we started. I can’t show you everything, and we don’t have time to go back all the way to our origins. Nevertheless, I think when we’re through up here you’ll be glad you came.’
“My anxiety lessened and she stepped away, placing her hands on the side of the cone that faced south and closed her eyes. The crystal material began to reshape itself and a short table-like ledge grew out of the cone’s side and into the room. Roughly the size of a small desktop, she motioned for me to come over and take a closer look.
“I moved over to her and looked down into the ledge. At first, it appeared as clear as the crystal cone itself. Once she showed me how to guide and operate it, I found that it worked like an up-close viewing screen. I could see detailed images of various locations in the primitive world far below. The ledge could be moved in any direction and would grow smaller if brought forward, or larger if pulled back. I was puzzled by the fact it remained fully connected to the cone’s wall at all times. Yet, when I moved it around in different directions, not a single seam or crease appeared. The crystal material in the wall and ledge reconfigured themselves in unison from one instant to the next.
“I held it straight ahead and saw the deep green treetops of a lush ancient forest. An aerial view about twenty feet above the trees. Raised ever so slight, the images flew by. When they stopped, I had a bird’s eye view of a large fluorescent blue snake moving through the undergrowth beneath the trees. I nudged the ledge a tad more and saw the close-up details of the snake’s scales as it wreathed its way along the forest floor.
“I decided to try another view and pulled back a little. All at once I was staring into a nest of baby finches that appeared less than a foot away from me, as my view had retreated into the midst of a large fir. A small beetle with bulging green eyes landed on a branch, completely obscuring the images of the finches for about a minute as it walked across the branch. I got a better look at its colorful underbelly than I would’ve liked as it left slimy gray droppings along the branch while it passed by. In disgust, I pulled back further until my view was a few hundred feet above the forest.
“‘This is so cool!’ I whispered, wishing again that Jeremy, Grandpa, or even Lee could see this.
“I turned the ledge around in a variety of directions, and in just a few minutes scanned everything from the Gulf of Mexico to the identical golden tower near the Central American coastline. I even dared to ‘dive’ into the Mississippi River, but apparently its water was just as murky as nowadays—or at least before the oil spill in the Gulf began working up the river. I remember laughing in my excitement and Genovene laughed along with me.
“‘The other views are very similar,’ she advised. ‘We’ve got just enough time for one more and then we must return to the main level. The Celebration Feast is set to begin shortly.
“I started to move toward the west side of the cone, for I’d always wanted to see the Rocky Mountains. But then I hesitated. I thought about Grandpa, and though I knew the thought would disappear in a moment, I wanted to make sure he was okay before the impulse to do so left again.
“‘Genovene...I’d rather see the present-day world instead of the one that’s no longer here,’ I told her. ‘Would you mind if I did that?’
“She pondered my request, her lovely smile fading a little.
“‘I suppose that’ll be fine,’ she said. ‘But, only for a minute. All right?’
“‘Sure.’
“We walked together over to the east side of the crystal cone where she caused the ledge to appear once again, and then she retreated to the center of the room. She squatted down and put one hand on the crystal triangle while she placed her other hand on the smooth golden floor. She closed her eyes, and as she did, I watched the world outside change back to the one I knew.
“I could still see a good distance through the cone’s wall, but the viewing area had diminished quite a bit. Perhaps no more than a hundred miles in any one direction now, the overall view remained impressive even if it wasn’t so amazing as the ancient view.
“Genovene stood up and reminded me that I didn’t have long to check on my grandfather. I positioned the object to where I could see my home, and soon found him working beneath one of the large maple trees in our front yard. Busy clearing out some pesky weeds from around the flowers that grew in the garden encircling the tree, I watched him pause to wipe sweat from his brow. He glanced at the sun before going back to his chore.
“Satisfied he wasn’t worried about my whereabouts just yet, I pulled back, retracing the journey I took that morning to get where I now stood. The images flew by quickly, but I paused long enough to check on Banjo to make sure he was okay. He still played with the other animals in the meadow under the miahluschkas’ watchful eyes, whose faces remained shrouded by their hooded robes.
“I pulled the ledge back to the village, and out of curiosity positioned it on the area directly below us. I pushed forward just a hair, and the temple courtyard zoomed into focus. The servants hurried in their last minute preparations for the feast. I focused the viewer on the long dinner table, filled with bread, assorted pastries, and other entrees. Only a fairly large space remained in the table’s center, which I figured was reserved for the main course. Without lingering longer, I shifted the view screen over to the pyramid.
“I followed the steps from the bottom on up to the very top. A large gold platter sat on the stone table
that earlier laid bare. Steam and smoke poured forth out of a large hole next to the table. I pushed the crystal flap a little more in order to get a better look down inside the hole, and the view screen briefly filled with dark smoke.
“I gasped. A brilliant blue mass appeared—pulsing as if alive. The mass Jell-O-like, it appeared to boil in some places and yet engulfed by flames in other areas. Genovene suddenly grabbed my arm, her fingers digging into my skin. I looked at her in surprise, shocked this person who’d been so kind and gentle would do that.
“‘Sorry, Jack, but we must leave now!’ she announced, sternly.
“She struggled to maintain her smile, but after I allowed her to guide me back over to the chalube’at, without any resistance beyond the silent question of ‘What in the hell’s your problem?’ she regained much of her composure. I couldn’t pretend I hadn’t noticed the drastic change in her demeanor. I must’ve seen something I wasn’t supposed to see.
“‘I’m sorry if I did something to offend you, Genovene....’
“I recall how my voice trailed off, for I couldn’t understand why she was so upset. She studied me for a moment, and then, as if she’d discovered some reassuring information from my thoughts or feelings, she relaxed once more. Vivacity returned to her face and eyes, and she loosened her ironclad grip on my arm, sliding her hand down to mine again. As gently as before, she led me over to the crystal transport tube.
“She paused in front of the chalube’at, going through her bizarre ritual again until the tube’s wall produced another doorway. She reached behind her, gently grasping my crotch. Stunned and startled, I assumed she wanted my hand instead. She glanced over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow while smiling mischievously. But without a word she accepted my hand and led me back inside the chalube’at.
“As soon as the panels closed, we barely had time to take our places opposite each other before the floor disappeared and we were dropped down the tube. The trip to the bottom even quicker than the trip up had been, I thought for sure my stomach would come up into my mouth. I tried to scream, but couldn’t. There was air, but I couldn’t breathe. So I closed my eyes, which only made matters worse. I opened them again and looked across the tube at Genovene. Her hair flying straight up above her head, she clutched her gown just above her knees in a determined effort to keep the garment from rising any higher.
“The mischievous smile returned to her face and her luminous eyes grew more intense. She allowed her gown to creep all the way up to her waist, which in a way reminded me of the famous picture I’d once seen of Marilyn Monroe from ‘The Seven Year Itch’. The main difference? Genovene was completely naked from the waist down.
“I tried to look away, but couldn’t. Fascinated by what I saw, she seemed to enjoy my awkward response and smiled broadly before blowing me a kiss. I forced myself to look beyond her at the blur of the staircase and crystal windows flying by. Right before reaching the temple floor, our descent suddenly slowed and we dropped lightly onto our feet again. For the moment, her gown concealed her nakedness as it stretched to the floor. Relief and disappointment filled me.
“She moved to the center of the tube while motioning for me to join her there. Once I reached the center, she grabbed and pulled me close to her, reaching with both hands between my legs. So nervous…I began to sweat while my heart pounded heavily in my chest. She massaged me, penetrating my nervous eyes with a famished and predatory look in her own.
“Once the panels opened, she removed her hands from my crotch and reached for my hand again to lead me out of the chalube’at. I was under the intense assault of so many feelings. Wonderful and horrible feelings. Ecstasy and guilt in a powerful but confusing mix with primitive emotions I didn’t understand at the time, helpless to resist her ruthless seduction.
“She pulled me close behind her, leading me away from the lighted area of the temple’s base. The entire area before us was cloaked in thick blackness.
“‘We’ve got a little time left before the feast begins,’ she said, her voice a sultry whisper. She pulled me up even with her and leaned into me as we moved deeper into the darkness. ‘No doubt, you’re wondering where we’re going now. I’m going to show you what very few have ever seen. All I ask is that you don’t resist me. Trust in me. Will you do that for me, Jack?’
“I nodded, hesitant, though knowing I couldn’t resist her.
“‘Don’t let the darkness we’re moving into alarm you,’ she said. ‘We’ll arrive at my chamber shortly.’
“I couldn’t see anything at all, not even Genovene, who was right next to me. Despite her closeness, I became aware of other unseen things moving around us as we headed deeper into the tower’s base. Ominous and creepy things that were felt more than heard, though I did hear a deep swishing sound and a barely audible groan from the area just ahead.
“It seemed we’d walked quite a distance before I saw a light again, but since I no longer trusted my eyes, it may have only appeared that way. As we drew nearer to this light, it seemed to divide into two small spheres peering out from the darkness. The spheres lengthened and flickered, until I saw they were a pair of fiery torches.
“The outline of a large doorway appeared between the torches. Slight movements on either side of the door, another pair of huge guards hovered in the darkness just beyond the torches’ light. With her hand maintaining a secure grip on my own, Genovene led me to the door. As before, these servants bowed before her. One of the guards moved to open the medieval-like entrance, while the other motioned for us to walk through. The door closed behind us, a low groan and several creaks from hinges straining to hold the wood’s considerable weight.
“We stood alone in darkness, but only briefly. Genovene stepped away from me, and a dozen torches positioned throughout the spacious room suddenly ignited. A large array of candles covered much of the floor and chamber tables, throwing soft radiance throughout the room.
“Her bedroom seemed fit for a queen, with luxurious gold and lavender bed linens, tapestries, and draperies throughout. Massive and beautiful dark-wooden furniture dominated the room, each piece covered with intricate gold designs. The centerpiece was a massive canopy bed that sat in the middle, a work of art, though a bit ostentatious. All four bedposts were exquisitely hand carved statues of well-endowed naked men and voluptuous women facing inward toward the mattress and positioned so that a male and female faced each other. The mattress appeared soft and inviting with a thick comforter and many pillows. It made it hard not to picture what I wanted to do with her there.
“She sauntered toward the bed with her back turned to me, while the reflection of the flickering candles on her satin gown enhanced her allure. My eyes followed her lovely form all the way down to her feet patting quietly along the smooth white marble floor. She stopped once she reached the bed. Without turning around, she unfastened her gown, allowing it to fall to her ankles. She then carefully stepped out of the crumpled garment, leaving it on the floor as she turned around to face me.
“Completely naked…. My heart raced harder as my manhood pulsed to full strength in my shorts. She was astonishingly beautiful, more so than any pin-up I’d ever seen in my brother’s magazines. From the striking features in her face, to the full perfection of her breasts, to the soft loveliness of her sex, and even her long slender legs and nymph-like feet, she was my fantasy. Not that I consciously understood it before that moment, but I’ve never forgotten since.
“A knowing smirk tugged at the corners of her full lips as she moved stealthily toward me, like a cunning jaguar stalking a young deer. Her eyes flashed in the firelight from candles and torches, her breasts bouncing slightly as she closed in on me. Almost too perfect, this voluptuous and sexually aggressive young woman. The excitement overwhelming my body along with the powerful euphoria I’d already been dealing with kept me frozen in place, just inside the doorway.
“‘Am I making you nervous, Jack?’ she asked once she closed to within a foot of me, the sultriness and immedi
ate proximity of her voice sending chills up and down my spine.
“‘Ah, no. I mean...yes. A little, I guess.’ I swallowed hard, feeling strangely exposed and vulnerable.
“She glanced down at the hard-on in my shorts and snickered before looking back into my face, studying my enraptured, nervous eyes. ‘Good!’ she said, and before I could say or think anything else, she leaned over and kissed me. Her kisses soft and gentle at first, she caressed my mouth. But once I finally opened up to her guidance and more aggressive prodding, she kissed me fervently, pressing her body against mine while bringing my trembling hands up to touch and fondle the pointed nipples of her breasts.
“Genovene rubbed her pelvis against me, stroking to the point I thought I might erupt. Passion finally had conquered the last of my reservations, and I gave into my desire. Returning her kisses with my own nubile urgency, I began touching her everywhere. She removed her mouth from mine and pushed my face directly into her bosom, smiling broadly as she did.
“‘Do you want me?’ she asked, huskily.
“I looked up and nodded eagerly that I did. Without another word she kissed me again, but not for long. Heading downward, she lifted up my T-shirt and kissed me on my chest and stomach. With one quick swipe, she pulled my shorts and underwear down below my knees.
“I looked down at myself, naked and ready, and less than an inch from her face. She gave me a moment to anticipate her next move, winking playful. She then launched an assault on my manhood, caressing me far beyond my previous fantasies.
“The pleasure I experienced was more intense than anything I’d ever known up to that point in my life. I gave into it, unable to stop moaning as I rode this wave of physical ecstasy. That’s the first time I ever came.
“She stood and pressed her mouth to mine again, forcing me to share a taste of myself with her. She then massaged my crotch again, and to my amazement I grew hard again. Her grasp firm, she raised herself up and placed me inside her, but not all the way…teasing me.