ATLANTIS AGE OF RAGNAROK

by C M SHORT

  “You're lucky you weren't, love! Did you get bit?”

  “No, I don't think so, and that doesn’t make any sense”!

  Guiding insight, emerged from years of protective experience, offering a possibility.

  “Perhaps, they were trying to help you”!

  “Now that is interesting! It would explain-why-I didn’t get bit”!

  “It would, pretty one! I bet that’s exactly what they were doing! Talk about a rescue! Are you cold?”

  “No, the water is warm here, too. I'm all right-just a bit unsettled still!”

  “That's understandable, and babe, no more leaning over the side of the boat”!

  “I won’t! You know-this happened before”!

  “Love”?

  “I remember being here, falling in, and being attacked! This is our first time here, I know, but I experienced it”!

  He knew! Vittles just knew!

  “A twist in time”!

  The boat was moving into a narrow tunnel, and slowing down. Only a minute later, a grand entrance was made into another endless cavern, and, a secret!

  “There’s your proof, Vittles!” Spots proclaimed, eagerly pointing to the dazzling white city.

  “That’s…so…incredible!” Vittles replied.

  “Buddy, anything like this-in archeological history”?

  “The outside of the city does not look familiar, but maybe something inside, will”!

  The royal ferry nosed right up to a stair-stepped beach, and the side pulled in close-like it had a mind of its own!

  “End of boat ride, love.”

  Hand in hand, the step onto the pristine sands created an odd, yet strangely familiar feeling: of coming home.

  It was an Archeologist’s dream: to be standing on the edge of a great discovery, and Rafael marveled at what lay stretched before them-somehow knowing-it was woven among the threads of tomorrow!

  CHAPTER 8

  CAT'S PAW

  They came from behind, their sneak attack ending with blood curdling cries that sent chills racing down Angel’s back, and words of fear, racing from her lips.

  “That's the sound of those fish things”!

  Instantly on the defensive, she whipped around to face her fears, and realized, several of them were floating on the surface-dangerously close!

  One of the creatures tossed its head and flicked an object through the air-to land at her feet. Staring with unbridled passion, at the elegance that stood out among the sands of many colors, she dared to hope-it was-what it looked like.

  “An emerald?” she questioned, eagerly accepting the gift.

  “It’s like holding-unwrapped desire”!

  “Someone knew you wanted an emerald, my beauty, and decided to give you one! That was nice”!

  She agreed, and thanked the creatures, who answered in a language of head tossing squeals before quietly slipping away, beneath the surface.

  “So, those things are tame after all!” Vittles observed.

  “Yes, and wanted to save me both times I fell in”!

  “I think so, babe. Now, let’s have a look at your present!”

  Questioning eyes, gazed upon the unearthly beauty that lay nestled in her hands: a polished oval of emerald hues, and light green ribbons.

  “It’s getting warm”!

  Overwhelming curiosity, exposed the warmth below their fingertips-with admiration turning into excited confusion as a chain of events unfolded: the ribbons began to move-becoming a small oval-into which a dark green spot appeared in the middle.

  “They gave me-an eye”!

  “It does look like one!” Vittles agreed.

  “I suspect, your present has an incredible purpose, babe”!

  “I hope we discover that purpose, and I can’t wait to see what else we find!” she answered, and carefully tied the mysterious eye into the bottom of her shirt.

  Now that the eye was ready to travel, they anxiously headed for the continuing path of the Sphinx, hoping the city of mystery-was also-a city of answers.

  The two sentinels guarding the path of royalty, had a different look than those already seen: a surprising pose.

  “What do you think, bud”?

  “Most likely, the heads resting on extended front legs-is a sign of welcome; in many societies, a head down-is one of welcome”!

  The special welcome was deeply felt as their steps became part of a city stretching into forever, and flowing, with a strong undercurrent of simmering mystique.

  “My friend, you've studied many civilizations. What can you tell us?”

  “This life was centered on cat worship and the people were close-knit, judging from the many walkways joining the rooftops, and the countless cat statues. These buildings lining the path look like houses, and the gold cats with wing tips of silver-on each side of the doorways-have special meanings! Notice how one has head and wings up, while the other one’s head is down against front legs. The poses are symbolic of things highly valued: humbleness, and strength. Why the domed buildings all spiral up to a point-is a mystery. I wish, we could know what life was like here; maybe, this house will offer some clues!”

  A cloak of invisibility covered the clues, and this time, the powers of the trident could not provide the answers or prevent the disappointment of its keeper.

  “There's nothing here! If only-the walls could talk”!

  She leaned against a wall, and quickly jumped back-startled.

  “Baby”?

  “The wall! It's warm”!

  The technology was a magnet of touchable intrigue, that sent them on their way-with hopeful talk of finding the builders.

  Walking through the glowing city, was a walk, through Christmas morning: a soft breeze drifted magical promise-of things to come! A few minutes later, anticipation turned to sheer delight, after rounding a bend and finding themselves face to face with a most skillfully adorned gift-just waiting to be opened!

  “A temple! That’s got to be-a temple!” Guns confidently announced, with saucer eyes reverently glued to the ancient wonder.

  Almost blinding-was the vision: a silver dome, hugged by a circle of golden wings that joined an emerald entrance, in hinting, of the power and glory inside! Rising toward divine enlightenment, were seven elaborately inscribed stairs, boasting ends, crowned with creatures of royalty that resonated a silent call to worship: with wings and heads high, they displayed a dramatic invitation to pass between the pillars, and through the arch!

  “It’s obvious, what the people worshipped! What does archeology say about this, bud?”

  “My research into the past, has proven that cats were considered divine entities in many cultures”!

  “Like I said before-you watch a cat, and you can swear they remember this: when you talk to them, they're apt to walk away with their tail up-as if to say-’Talk to the butt’”!

  A stream of laughter flowed to the temple steps-an inviting place-for weary travelers to relax.

  “I don't know about you two, but my spots are hungry for a nice, cold, diet Pepsi, and a black olive pizza”!

  “I could use some lasagna, and beer!” her other half drooled.

  “And I wouldn't mind a big bowl of seafood pasta, and a frosty beer”!

  Looking out at the stunning city, the emerald mind could almost imagine the bustle of life there once had been; somehow, it felt as though that life was still there-and watching her! She decided to be logical and shrug it off as her vivid imagination, and focus, on their once-in-a-lifetime surroundings.

  “I never would've thought, I'd be miles underground and sitting on the stairs of a temple-inside a sparkling city”!

  “It's a hard to believe sight, my spotted one”!

  “You boys have any idea-why it looks and feels like the sun is shining over the city”?

  “It could be, that giant lights and heat lamps are built into the ceiling!” her love suggested.

  “Or, my friends, perhaps it really IS the sun! The builders of this plac
e, might’ve had the technology to allow heat and light to travel through ground”!

  “Now that's a gripping thought, buddy! And, it could explain the warm light in the old city beneath the Louvre”!

  “Another gripping thought-is what might be in this temple! You boys ready to explore?”

  “Right behind you, my brave explorer”!

  Anxious to learn the secrets of the temple, a rush through the arch led her to a most amusingly accurate comment.

  “It’s a hall of eyes”!

  The short, narrow hall, was lined with winged cats watching their every move to the other end, and a unique exit: seven emerald paw prints ascending to another arch.

  “Appropriate steps!” Guns pointed out.

  Filled with growing excitement, they stepped through the portal and into a place-where the crosshairs of time-had zeroed in on sacred rituals in progress. An undeniable godlike presence filled the chamber, originating, from five golden cat deities that sat in a row on four-foot-high emerald pedestals. With heads down against extended front legs-they waited patiently for worship-their ageless perfection revealed in the glow of soft torch light.

  “Did we just go back in time?” the beauty pondered, halfway expecting to see a priest come walking in.

  “Possibly, my girl, but depending on the fuel source, these torches could've been burning now-for thousands of years”!

  “I was on a dig once, that uncovered similar torches. I’m at a loss to explain it, and the statues, also, need some explaining: the big one is the same size as the one on the roof, but these two little ones on each side-are all different sizes! That must have some kind of religious significance, but for now, it’s a confusing piece of the puzzle!”

  “But what a beautiful piece”!

  “That it is, love-it took some real skill-to make those”!

  “And, I see a puzzle piece by that wall, my friends! The two light blue pillars of crystal don't reach the ceiling, so their purpose could not have been for support! Another puzzle, is why the distance separating them is about 10 feet. I wonder what got these people so intensely dedicated to their cat worship, and why the choice of colors-for the big cat’s collar: gold, blue, purple, and scarlet.”

  “Lots of mysteries, bud”!

  “This must be-where they prayed to the gods!” the spotted beauty guessed.

  It called to her with crystal clear instructions: to journey forward, she had to journey up! In obedience, she stepped onto the raised emerald triangle, and their attention was arrowed to the largest of the gods.

  “I almost feel like I'm in the past, worshipping with the ancient people”!

  Once again, the holy place saw bended knee, and it was then-another mystery surfaced.

  Curious designs of silver and gold, formed a message of hidden importance on the triangle. Five silver lines pointed to the gods from a large circle-each line preceded by gold symbols. Adding to the mystifying message, was a silver trident at the center-its prongs ending at hexagon shaped holes. Below the trident were more gold symbols, waiting, for eyes of knowledge.

  “Hieroglyphs?” she questioned, looking for an expert reply.

  “Down here, is ancient Egyptian: ‘New life begins, unlimited treasure’. These other symbols before each line, are of a language I don’t recognize.”

  “Perhaps names-that were given to the gods”!

  “Sky! Good guess”!

  The nickname resulted in a smile and warm thoughts, but then-with the onset of a rumble-all trains of thought were lost.

  Bracing for the earthquake did not help: it was over, almost immediately! The startling event, was a cause for uneasy words from Guns.

  “We haven’t had any earthquakes since we came underground, and I think the rumble was something else! Stay sharp”!

  Already nervous from the unknown danger-a movement seen from the corners of green eyes-took a toll!

  “What? I could swear-the little cat on the far right-moved its head!”

  “You're jumpy from the strange noise, pretty one.”

  “Perhaps.”

  Turning back to the mystery beneath her, a search began, for anything more that could be a clue.

  “From what these markings say-we're about to find a treasure beyond belief! These holes…”

  She touched the crystal of her necklace, and a wild hope. A perfect fit was followed by another rumble, and the front of the big cat’s perch disappeared into the floor, revealing, a secret chamber!

  “That must be where the treasure is, boys”!

  “And it's all mine”!

  Good feelings turned to disgust, as familiar trouble stepped out from behind the center platform.

  “You again!” Jean-Leuc snarled.

  “Nice to see you, too! I gotta thank you guys, for finding the treasure for me! I’ve been here lookin-for three whole days! The map led me here, but it doesn’t exactly say where the treasure is”!

  “You've been here for days-and couldn't find it? You're not too smart, Patch!” Angel sneered.

  The remark was barely spoken, when a rumbling triggered the floor shaking and a grumbling comment, as Patch moved in front of the big god.

  “Fine time for an earthquake”!

  Already irritated at her foolish attitude, the timing of the earthquake made him even more angry; he aimed the pistol with deadly accuracy, and tried to give her a bit of wisdom.

  “You think it's smart-to say that to a man holding a gun on you”?

  “I hate to say it, but he’s got a point!” Rafael admitted, not at all happy to be agreeing with the enemy.

  She was totally fed up, by now.

  “If you think I'm going to talk nice because you've got a gun, then you're losing your marbles”!

  “Well, maybe I'm just crazy enough-to shoot you”!

  She gasped, and pointed behind Patch.

  “The statue is moving”!

  Three sets of bug eyes stared in horror at the deadly force behind Patch, but he saw through the deception!

  “Yah, like I’m going to fall-for that one”!

  In the face of approaching danger, they cautiously backed away-knowing-that only mercy would save them!

  “Stay where you are”!

  The retreat-continued.

  “I won’t tell you again”!

  He was ignored, one more time, and his anger flashed out of control!

  An ear-piercing crack split the air, and smoke drifted above an unholy scene of sadness: the beautiful woman of spots-flat on her back-with blood dripping rapidly to the floor!

  A fearful check, exposed a minor left shoulder wound. Loving hands applied pressure, and relief swelled like a flood as they watched what happened next: the giant cat raised its right paw-and smacked the evil one to the floor!

  The pain couldn’t stop her, from reveling in the opportunity for some payback.

  “Hah! Cat food”!

  Twisting to see what had him, Patch couldn't believe his eyes!

  “Come on guys, help me! I'll give back the coins, and map”!

  Now the tables were turned, and Rafael offered a bit of sarcastic advice.

  “Talk to the paw”!

  “We'd rather see you be cat food!” Jean-Leuc added with contempt.

  The big cat laughed, and spoke words of comfort.

  “Angel, Jean-Leuc, Rafael-do not be afraid”!

  Thunder suddenly shook the temple-as divine evidence-of a mew that could strike fear into the heart of anyone!

  A smothering panic started to overwhelm Patch, and more than just the noise-was to blame: he was paralyzed-the only thing he could do-was think!

  What’s going on? Oh my God! I can’t move!

  “Come. Take back what he took from you, and also, take his gun.”

  Upon saying that, the creature lifted its paw.

  Grimacing through the pain, she asked the first of a million questions.

  “Are you a cat”?

  “As you understand it-yes! Cats were fashio
ned after me-minus the wings, of course”!

  “Do you have a name?” Sky questioned.

  “I am called-Merlin.”

  Stretching his mighty wings for a powerful display, Merlin waited.

  A flurry of questions came from Guns, questions, that surely would have remarkable answers!

  “Where are you from, and why are you here? And, how did you know our names”?

  “I am from the land of Sha-ra, and have existed since before your world was made. I'm here, to guard the tunnel of light. Your names are well known-in the annals of time!”

  “Tunnel of light?” Guns replied.

  “You'll see! Angel, I'm sorry you were shot”!

  “That's ok. It's not serious. Thank you for helping us!”

  “Take back your items, and get his gun; don’t worry-he’s paralyzed and can’t hurt you”!

  Stepping up to the task, Guns provided his helpful services again.

  “Now back away some, and I'll put a protective shield around you. Then, I’ll let him go.”

  Reigning supreme, was the power of a soft mew that spoke into existence-miraculous ribbons of dazzling light. Gold, blue, purple, and scarlet-streamed from Merlin’s mouth-to become a swirling dome of godly protection!

  Another mew sounded, and Patch was able to move. He jumped up and instinctively went for his gun, having to settle for a warning, instead.

  “The treasure is mine, and don't try to follow me”!

  Patch bolted inside, with his heart full of greed, and the entrance closed rapidly behind him.

  “He won't trouble you, anymore”!

  Destiny brought a sound of rushing wind-then a brief scream-followed by silence.

  Merlin was happy to answer-the unspoken questions he saw on their startled faces.

  “That has been the final resting place of ancient pharaohs, and others. Inside, is a device that basically does what you call cremation. The chamber holds-no treasure.”

  “An Egyptian man, sold us a map and said we'd find a treasure-greater than any other!” Spots replied.

  “And you will, but it's not here; I will show you how to get to it, but first, I'd like you to meet my kids! It’s ok, little wings. Come say, hello!”

  The little gods began to move and immediately created a game of chase, returning a minute later, with noses engaged in every new smell.