ATLANTIS AGE OF RAGNAROK

by C M SHORT

  Jabarrah walked alongside his newfound friend, whinnying, and tossing his head-making her long to understand him!

  Vittles couldn’t resist telling his friend, but did so, with his voice barely above a whisper.

  “That Vilas-sure is pretty! How about those spots”!

  “She sure is”!

  The future rushed to meet them with an inviting touch of wellbeing-upon entering the chamber of hope: a spacious chamber, empty, except for three emerald mermaids reclining in the center-with tail fins raised high-offering gifts from the gods. The center fin held a light blue crystal sphinx, that began to come alive as they approached: a repeating wave of emerald green-rippled-from nose, to tip of tail. A small label by the fin, held the names Rafael, and Vilas, and showed a not yet seen date of two months away.

  “I’ve never seen it do that”!

  “Perhaps, it’s sensing that we’re here!” Vittles suggested. “May I hold it”?

  “Of course.”

  The instant the transfer was complete, silver eyes blazed gold, and there was great wonder about the undefinable link-with the shape of things to come.

  “That, too, I’ve never seen”!

  Back in Salik’s hands, all activity ceased. He placed it back on the fin, and turned his attention to what the others held: identical stars, consisting of three joined stars each. The centers were the size of large apples, and had a gold tone; topping those, were light blue stars the size of apricots, and the bottom stars were white, and also the size of apricots.

  Picking up the triple star by Jean-Leuc's name, Salik began a fascinating explanation of the space shifting powers-that would hopefully-prove to be Earth’s guardian angels!

  “You will be sent to widely separated locations, since they have to be at least 5,000 miles apart. After the crystals have done their job, they'll create doorways, and return here. Normally, the doors are only open for a second and are just two feet square, but we’ve modified things.

  Jean-Leuc, your crystal is the only one that's been changed: the portal will stay open for 30 seconds, and be large enough for you. After you activate it, step inside while thinking about where you want to go, and it will take you there. The places you both are going to will be private, so nothing will distract, or prevent you, from activating the crystals. The locations, have been pre-determined by Sha-ra.

  Angel, you will go to the cave-at the end of the secret beach in Toulon; Jean-Leuc, you will go to a Mayan temple in Belize. So far, those places are not having any disasters or problems. Right now, it's about 5 p.m. in Toulon, and in Belize, it's about 9 a.m. the same day. Remember, you only have 30 seconds to step into the portal, but that should be more than enough time! I'll change a setting on this one, so it won't do anything when I show you how to activate them.”

  The wave of a small emerald crystal, turned the gold star clear, paving the way for a vital demonstration.

  “First, fold all the middle points up toward the blue star. Then, move the blue star seven clicks to the right. Next, move the white star three clicks to the left, and let go. The device will hover in the air, and the stars will separate, and spin. After one crystal has been activated, the sky will turn bright silver; when both have been activated, the silver will change back to the normal blue, and you’ll see the rings of scarlet and gold!”

  After changing the settings back, Salik handed each of them their crystal, and soft pouches to put them in.

  “One more thing.”

  He reached into a pouch, for a wonderful surprise!

  “We don't use coins for money anymore, and now regard them as sentimental history. These are many thousands of years older than the ones you found under the Louvre, and are made from a material-not of Earth. You can keep, sell, or do whatever you want with them.”

  As each of them received their gift, gratitude and excitement sparked a boyish grin, that ignited into a full-blown smile as the potential was realized.

  “These would buy several-New Earth stations”!

  “Probably, all of them”!

  Salik couldn’t help, but smile, at her response.

  “But only if you hurry back and get Earth protected-while there still are New Earths!” Salik warned.

  “Right!” came the agreement, among a continuing full-blown smile!

  She hoped, the answer was going to be-yes!

  “Can we come back”?

  “Both of you are welcome to come back, and Sha-ra told me, you would! We need to hurry, to the tunnel of light! Oh, speaking of the tunnel of light-weapons disintegrate in the tunnel; sorry, Rafael, but yours are gone.”

  “I hadn't even noticed!” he answered, patting where they used to be.

  Amid the silent hoof falls of magical feet, they walked with great purpose-carrying the hope-of all mankind.

  “Look, pretty eyes! You still have your little buddy”!

  “Ah, Jabarrah! What a sweetie you are”!

  Jabarrah stretched his neck, for an adoring rub.

  “He's going to miss you!” observed Salik.

  “I'm going to miss him, too”!

  Another minute, revealed a structure that mirrored the temple under the plateau. Inside, two Merlas watched ever so closely, waiting, for the emerald question.

  “Are you real”?

  “These, are only statues.”

  This time, the tunnel of the gods emerged from the joining of two emeralds: a triangle, and a sphere.

  “We were honored-to meet the three of you! Angel, you get to go first.”

  “Meeting all of you, and being here, has been incredible! Thank you, for your help”!

  Jabarrah whinnied, looking at her-as though he were losing his best friend!

  “It’s ok, Jabarrah! I'll be back soon”!

  Petting his face, she gave him a kiss on the head before walking over to the tunnel, where she turned back, to say goodbye. At that point, Salik offered a priceless gift: words of wisdom.

  “Sha-ra, will be with you! Remember-there’s no such thing as a coincidence! Also, things happen when they do-for a reason”!

  “I'll remember”!

  “Bye, Angel. I'll come back to Earth, in about two months.”

  “Bye, Vittles.”

  “See you soon, pretty eyes”!

  She blew a kiss, and disappeared into the tunnel of light.

  “Ok, now it's your turn. Remember, you will only have 30 seconds to step into the portal. Also, remember to be thinking about where you want to go!”

  “Piece a cake! See you later, and thanks for everything”!

  “Later, my friend. Go save our planet!”

  He answered, with a knowing smile.

  “Have fun, buddy”!

  He vanished among the lights, and entered the forgotten past of a Mayan temple. Torch light circled the chamber, without adding life to the cold remnants of a people long since gone. Eerie jungle noises, echoed off the crumbling stone walls, and blended, with unknown shadows that snaked their dark fingers through high set windows-shape shifting-as though having a life of their own! The horror scene played out further, upon noticing red stains flowing down the steps, of what looked like-an altar!

  Watching over it all and guarding the exit, were two giant Merlas, who waited for the inevitable question.

  “Are you alive”?

  After a long, but patient wait-without any movement-it appeared the answer was no. Beyond the sentries, a long passage lined with Merlas, opened to the jungle. Again, the question, and again-no answer.

  The time of questions ended, on a bad note, with the ominous growl of an earthquake and the temple moving under his feet!

  “No time like the present”!

  Reaching for the crystal, that safely waited in the soft bag hanging from a belt loop, his hand brushed up against the coin pouch-and thoughts returned-to the unique possibility: of buying New Earth stations!

  CHAPTER 10

  TIMES TWO

  Familiar surroundings welcomed her, as she entered th
e cave. A deceiving bit of calm, blue sky, could be seen past the rock at the entrance, contradicting the urgency, that had been stressed.

  “You'd never know, anything was wrong”!

  Instantly, the knowledge of having spoken too soon-crashed home like a tidal wave-as the sky darkened, and thunder roared its ugly head.

  “Uh Oh! I better hurry”!

  Nervous fingers pulled the crystal from its bag, and quickly activated it. The stars became a spinning triangle of bright silver, increasing to a blur that waited silently: for the order of things-to be achieved.

  With a heart full of hope, she hurried to the beach and saw the promise of a silver sky-a promise fulfilled just over two minutes later-when the sky turned blue and a lattice of rings appeared.

  “He did it”!

  Expectation burned bright for the next few seconds-turning to pure bliss-as the portal filled her with reassuring knowledge: her love, would be the next thing she saw! Something did come through: a shiny, quarter sized object, that dropped 10 feet away-becoming an almost hidden mystery-of the sand. For 30 long seconds, she waited, and received only despair.

  A far cry from the joyous expectation of moments before, were the painful words, now spoken.

  “Where is he? What is that”?

  The hot sand yielded its soul piercing truth, along with a haunting echo, of Salik’s last words.

  “Things happen when they do-for a reason”!

  Under the crushing weight of wisdom, the collapse to the beach was inevitable-and the heat of it-not even felt! The only thing noticed-was the terrible secret of the sand: a polished, sphinx topped ring!

  Fighting back the tears, she remembered his desire to buy New Earth stations, and understood: he would rather be buying the stations, than be with her, and couldn’t bring himself to break-up in person, so he sent his ring to do it for him!

  The breakup, was a script that wrote many heart-broken hours on the beach, wondering, how she could’ve been so wrong about him! She’d thought, she really knew him!

  Finally, around midnight, she managed an exhausted walk to the beach house, to rent a room.

  The owner, Pierre, was at the check-in desk. Barely holding back the tears, she rented a top floor room for two weeks, knowing it would take a while to figure out what to do next. Once inside her room, the tears came like a flood until almost three-when sleep took pity-and mercifully, provided a shielding blanket of comfort.

  Puffy eyes, woke to the new and wonderful sight-of scarlet and gold rings covering the sky! As depressed as she was, she couldn’t help but feel awe, and voice her relief at being in a new dimension.

  “Earth is saved”!

  Having not had dinner, an extra big breakfast was on the menu of to do things-which was a very short list: room service all day, and sitting on the balcony.

  The next morning, she decided to visit the restaurant for breakfast, and avoided the other two diners, by sitting at a window table on the opposite side of the room. With a cup of coffee in hand, and deep in thought, she didn't hear the footsteps of a man approaching.

  “Excuse me, may I join you for a minute”?

  Looking up, she saw Pierre holding a cup of coffee, and motioned for him to sit down.

  “I noticed you were sitting alone, and looking sad. You also looked sad-when you checked in. Are you all right?”

  “Yes. I'm ok. My boyfriend was supposed to meet me here, two days ago, and he never showed up!”

  “That's hard to believe! You're much too pretty, for a guy not to show up for”!

  “Thanks, but that's what happened.”

  “I'm sorry! If you decide, you want somebody to talk to-I'm here.”

  “Thanks.”

  She had another uneventful day of staying in her room, followed by a dinner of pizza and wine, in the restaurant. Worn out from all the stress, it didn’t take long to succumb to a night full of tormented sleep.

  The next week was spent, either staying in her room, or walking on the beach and dining at the restaurant. At the end of the week, Pierre noticed her having brunch and took a break from his duties.

  “Hi, pretty lady! Are you feeling better today?”

  “Hi, Pierre. I'm better. There are scientists I’ve got to see, but it's hard to make myself do anything!”

  “That's understandable! I can tell you’re a strong woman-you'll be able to do it! Remember, I'm here for you, if you want to talk.”

  “Ok.”

  After he left, she finished eating and walked on the beach, sadly knowing, the days held nothing special-anymore! The days blurred together, and with no decision in mind, she ended up at the check in desk.

  “Hi, pretty lady”!

  “Hi, Pierre. I'd like to rent the room, for another two weeks.”

  “Sure thing! It'll be nice-to see you around here longer! You know, we should have breakfast together sometime, and talk. By the way, occasionally, room 2C is used for private get together meals for our guests; if you hear extra noise across the hall-that's why.”

  “Thanks for letting me know.”

  Ignoring his comment about having breakfast together, she finished paying for the room, and was about to leave.

  “Have a good day, pretty lady”!

  A wink from Pierre, suddenly made her thoughts-uncomfortable.

  Uh Oh! He likes me in a way I don't want!

  That was a day, the sad emerald beauty chose to stay in her room. A few days later, as she walked on the beach, the sea offered a peace and healing that only it could give. The cries of seagulls among the salty mist, was relaxing, but with the speed of lightning-it all changed! There, at the end of the beach and walking toward her, was a tall, strong looking figure of a man-that looked-familiar!

  “He's here”!

  The voice of relief, was instantly joined by a heartbeat so loud, that nothing else could be heard-as she raced-through the soft, wet sand, toward a tender embrace!

  Excitement, paled to realization-then dismay: it wasn’t him! Depressed beyond measure now, she retreated to her room and stayed there.

  Several mornings later, she noticed a light blue piece of paper-poked under the door. Wondering who would've done that, and why, she picked it up and saw a typed note.

  “It's not good-to spend all of your time in your room! Come over for breakfast. Let's talk! Room 2C.”

  A flare of angry words, threatened a bad start to the day!

  “Why can't he figure out I'm not interested! I'll go set Pierre straight-once and for all”!

  Stepping across the hall, she paused briefly, dreading the confrontation about to begin.

  Three loud knocks, and Pierre was swinging the door wide.

  “Look, I'm sorry, but I'm just not interested…”

  Abruptly, the words stuck in limbo-then new ones formed!

  “Jean-Leuc! You're here”!

  “Hi, beautiful! Long time, no see”!

  “I've missed you so much!” she cried, jumping forward into his welcoming arms.

  “Same here! I'm sorry it took me so long to get here”!

  “That's ok! Where have you been?”

  “Let’s relax on the couch, and I'll explain a peculiar chain of events”!

  As she listened to the tale of a harrowing journey back, she could almost feel what he had endured!

  “I activated the crystal, and let go; right at that moment, an earthquake hit-toppling statues-and one of them broke my left leg! By the time I could use the healing crystal-the portal was closed. The hike out of the jungle took two weeks, and there was a bit of a wait for an airport to resume service. Interestingly, the only room available when I got here-was right across from you! What a nice coincidence-wouldn’t you say, babe?”

  “Salik said-there is no such thing-as a coincidence”!

  “It does feel as though-circumstances have been arranged! Pretty eyes, near the temple, I found a huge crack in the ground; at the bottom was a tunnel of light-much larger than the ones we’ve seen-and it stay
ed activated! There’s a problem, and we’ve got to go back”!

  “I sense you’re right, and if things had not occurred the way they did, then you wouldn’t have found the tunnel of light! So, that explains that, but why did you send your ring through?”

  “When I was reaching for the crystal, my ring got snagged on the pouch of coins. I had to take the ring off, to get it loose, and was still holding it when the earthquake hit. My fall-sent it flying into the tunnel!”

  “I thought…I thought you went to buy New Earth stations”!

  “Without you? Not a chance!” he replied, with magical, boyish grin charm-providing assurance enough-of his eternal love!

  “Sky, we've got to get Earth's top scientists-to Atlantia”!

  “We will, but today belongs to us, my beautiful Emerald Eyes”!

  He pulled his emerald beauty very close, and for a few moments-time stood still-then, she heard those familiar words.

  “Welcome, to Toulon”!