by L. M. Brown
“I hope he’s safe in the ocean. If anyone is in the palace or other buildings, they aren’t going to be able to get back to the water without the whole world watching.”
Finn sat beside Jake and took hold of his hand. “If one of the tunnels still exists, he might be able to get out of the main city that way. The tunnels all lead to various points on the island, and quite a lot of them end near what appears to be the edges of the new island.”
“Do you think any of them could have survived the rise?”
“I don’t know. I hope so.”
The adverts on the television ended and Jake chewed on his lip as he watched.
“Welcome back to News Twenty-Four Seven, where we’re coming to you live from above the island that has mysteriously appeared in the Atlantic Ocean overnight. We’ll be bringing you live pictures as well as updates about the tidal waves that have hit the various coasts bordering the Atlantic. But first, we have an interview with world-renowned geologist, June Moffett. June, you must be as surprised as the rest of the world at the appearance of this island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. What’s the official word in the scientific community?”
“Officially, we have no comment to make at the present time.”
“And unofficially?”
“Unofficially, I can’t wait to get down there and explore.”
The presenter laughed. “I have no doubt that will be quite an experience. Unfortunately, that may have to wait a while. In an official statement issued this morning, the island has been declared off limits to civilians by the United States military, whose vessel passed by the island in the early hours of the morning and noted the new land mass. We are receiving reports, however, that other governments may declare the territory to be theirs and that the US has no jurisdiction over the island. We’ll have the latest on these reports later.”
Jake wondered who would end up claiming the island. Technically, the Atlanteans were no longer a people. They had been scattered throughout the world centuries ago when their gods had banished them. It wasn’t as if they could claim their land back.
The report continued, showing some distance shots of the island while the presenter lamented the fact that the military restrictions meant they could not fly any closer.
It was close enough that Jake could make out the buildings, and in particular, the spacious palace in the center of the city. Unfortunately, the helicopter was too far away to tell if anyone might be in the buildings.
Jake hoped all the unevacuated mer were safely in the ocean and that the divers in the area had been safely swept away by the rising of the city.
“Could it be that the island has simply remained undiscovered all this time?” the presenter asked.
Jake rolled his eyes as the geologist did likewise on the screen. “Yeah, right, all the satellites up there and you think they somehow missed it?”
“Not seeing it might sound more believable than the truth,” Finn pointed out. “Most modern-day people don’t even believe Atlantis existed. Now it has risen from the waves again. It doesn’t exactly sound likely. And they haven’t even found the merpeople yet.”
“We hope,” Jake muttered. “Once the military gets involved, it’s merely a matter of time before the mer are at their mercy. We have to hope any on the island can make it to the sea before they’re found.”
“We won’t let them be discovered,” King Nereus said. “I have a duty to protect my people, and I will do whatever is necessary to ensure the survival of each and every one of them.”
“There’s not much we can do from here,” Justin said as he entered the room. Jake saw he had taken a few moments to borrow some clothes and dress. Unlike the rest of the merpeople, Justin had been raised on land and wasn’t accustomed to walking around naked.
“I need to return to Atlantis,” King Nereus replied. “I won’t leave my people to face the humans alone.”
“I’m coming with you,” Justin said.
“Me, too,” added Finn.
King Nereus shook his head. “One of you should stay in this England place to help those who have sought shelter here. This land is strange, and many will find the transition difficult.”
Justin and Finn stuck out their chins, both equally stubborn.
“I want to see if I can find Kyle,” Finn said. “He was searching for his sister and hasn’t made it back.”
“Very well,” King Nereus said. “Finn, you come and search for your mate. Justin, I’ll leave you in charge of rounding up anyone who is in the palace. I’ll speak with these humans on their arrival on the island.”
Jake coughed pointedly. “You might have difficulty with that. You don’t speak English, do you?”
King Nereus frowned. “But you speak mer?”
“Yes, I do,” Jake agreed, “thanks to Caspian giving me that knowledge. But I think it’s highly unlikely that anyone who lands on the island will. You’ll need either Finn or Justin—or someone else with the ability to translate for you.”
“Who else speaks mer and English?”
Jake struggled to think who might be able to do so. “Kai and Dax can, thanks to Medina. Lucas and Fabian were given the gift by Caspian, too. Kyle, as well, though Finn would need to track him down first.”
“I think Lucas should stay here and help with the refugees,” Justin said. “The people love him and respect him. Since the city is now above water, I’ll be able to keep my sight, so I don’t need him to guide me.”
“I’ll help Lucas,” Jake agreed.
“We’re interrupting our coverage of the discovery of this new island to bring you this exciting footage from the island itself from video posted on the Internet earlier today. We can now take a closer look at the island that might be the mythical Atlantis.”
Jake and the others turned their attention back to the television. The screen showed what appeared to be mobile phone footage of two young men, who alternated between talking into the camera and showing their surroundings.
“We’re here in Atlantis,” the younger of the two men said. His accent was American, but neither of them wore military uniforms. “I’m Richard and this is Pete, and we’re on the west coast of the island. The navy vessel is on the east coast, and while the governments of the world argue about who owns this land, we’ve decided to come and say hello to the locals.”
The second man poked his head into shot. “Yes, you heard Rich correctly. This island is already inhabited and we’re going to find out by who.”
“How the hell are they getting a signal for their phones out there?” Finn asked. “I can’t even get mine to work in the supermarket.”
Jake chuckled. “That’s because you’re technologically challenged.”
“They’re close to the barracks,” King Nereus said. Even without understanding the language, he could follow what was happening on the screen.
The two men entered the building a few moments later.
“Check out these weapons,” Pete said as he picked up a trident. “Wow, this is heavy. No match for guns, of course, but still, it must have taken some strength to fight with one of these.”
Rich picked up a spear and there followed a few shaky shots of the two of them sparring together for fun.
They didn’t stay in the barracks for long, quickly leaving and moving toward the palace.
“When we arrived last night, we saw lights in the building ahead,” Pete said. “They didn’t last long, but it was enough for us to spot there was someone here.”
“Someone or something,” Rich said in a spooky voice. “Other than a few birds, there’s not a single animal on this island. There isn’t any vegetation, either. The ground is soaking wet, even though there’s been no rain. I don’t care what the scientists say, this island has every sign of spending hundreds of years under the ocean.”
“Look there!” Pete interrupted, and the camera angle changed again.
“What is it? What did you see?”
“Someone ran into that building.” Pete pointed
at the palace.
“Was it a man or a woman?”
“A woman and she was completely naked.”
“And you didn’t get it on camera?” Rich glared at Pete and they hurried up what used to be the main street.
“I’m going back immediately,” King Nereus said as he stalked out of the door.
Finn jumped up. “I’m coming with you.”
“Me, too,” said Justin.
Jake hugged Finn. “Be careful. Whatever you do, don’t get caught by the government.”
The footage on the screen came to an end and the reporter reappeared. “There you have it, the first pictures taken from this new island. We understand that the two men who took the footage are now wanted for questioning. Please call the number on the bottom of the screen if you can help identify them.”
Jake had no idea who they were. He hoped they were decent-enough men who hadn’t harmed the merpeople. For their mobile phone footage to have found its way on to the Internet, they must have made it on and off the island without being spotted by the military, who would no doubt be striving to secure the island as soon as possible, making it much more difficult for the merpeople to return to the water.
Chapter Thirteen
When they arrived in Medina’s temple on the Isle of the Gods, the goddess was absent.
Even more worrying, the crystal that would take them to her temple in the palace was broken, as was the one to her temple on the main street, though if they’d had used that one, they would have been risking being seen by the watching humans, anyway. From what Medina had said before, it seemed both her temples had been destroyed.
Isander stood in the doorway, looking outside. He didn’t appear to have noticed their arrival.
“What’s happening out there?” Finn asked.
“The immortals are all congregated in the large meeting place at the top of the hill. It’s quiet at the moment, but there have been quite a few bolts fired. There are a lot of very pissed off gods up there.”
“Are they all awake now,” King Nereus asked.
“I think so,” Isander confirmed. “Somehow, the raising of the island has generated enough belief in the immortals to bring the rest of them out of stasis.”
“That’s probably because the whole world is watching,” Justin explained. “A few reporters speculate it might be Atlantis, even if they don’t know for sure.”
“The whole world knows?” Isander asked. “How is that possible?”
“Modern technology,” Justin replied. “It’s hard to explain, and we don’t have time. We need to get back to the city.”
Finn pointed at the crystals. “We need to access a temple in the palace. Can you help us?”
Isander shook his head. “Medina’s temple must have been buried in rumble from the collapsing walls when the island rose. The other temples were all under the palace, too. I suspect most are in a similar state, and even if the temple itself survived, it would be impossible to get out.”
“Then how can we get to Atlantis while avoiding the cameras?”
“I don’t know what a camera is,” Isander said.
“They’re what the world is using to watch the island,” Finn explained. “We don’t want to be seen.”
King Nereus stepped forward. “I don’t care if I’m seen or not. I intend to speak with these humans who seek to claim my city for their own. There must be a way to get back there. If the temples in the palace are inaccessible, what of the ones of our allies on the main street?”
“Father, do you think that’s wise?” Justin asked. “The soldiers might shoot you on sight.”
King Nereus held his head high. “They can attempt to do so, but they will not succeed.”
“Father, your trident is no match for bullets. Sea-fire can’t stop them.”
“The trident can protect as well as fight,” King Nereus said. “It hasn’t been required since my great-grandfather’s time, but each king is taught how to produce the shield of the gods when he takes the throne. One day, you will learn how to do that, too.”
“Are you sure it’s safe?” Justin asked. He sounded doubtful, and Finn had to admit he felt equally skeptical about King Nereus’ shield.
Bullets were fast and powerful. Did the trident have the ability to shield him from them? It had never been tested before and Finn didn’t like the idea of his father relying on this now.
“Cari’s temple is probably the nearest one to the palace,” Isander suggested as he led them to her home on the island.
Finn breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the crystal Isander approached remained intact.
“You need to make an offering to return from the city,” Isander warned them as King Nereus stepped toward the crystal and activated the portal.
Justin walked through first, Finn following behind him, with their father at the rear.
The temple appeared strange from the ground. Finn had swum through it several times in the past and hadn’t appreciated how high the ceiling was or how tall the columns were.
The building appeared to be in a poorer condition compared to the last time Finn had seen it. “Are you sure this is Cari’s temple?” he asked.
“Yes,” Justin replied. “It’s been undergoing repairs after part of the building collapsed during one of the quakes. The reinforcements are probably why it has survived the rising at all.”
Finn guessed that explained it. There was no time for sightseeing and King Nereus walked out of the temple into the morning sun.
“Maybe we should have made him wear clothes,” Justin suggested.
Finn wore a pair of baggy shorts and flip-flops. Looking at the state of the ground, he had a feeling he should have chosen more sensible footwear. He gazed longingly at Justin’s sensible trainers.
Justin could pass for another civilian sneaking onto the island, with his jeans and T-shirt combination.
King Nereus, on the other hand, had declined the offer of clothes and Finn had no intention of raising the subject again.
“Where are we going?” Finn asked as he hurried to catch up with his father.
“The pictures on the talking box showed the human vessel was anchored off the east coast, so that is where I intend to go. Which of you wishes to translate for me?”
Finn wanted to search for Kyle, but he knew Justin needed to do his duties as the heir to Atlantis and calm the people who remained. “I’ll come with you.”
Justin nodded. “I’ll try to find out who is here, how many there are and what the interior of the palace is like.”
They went their separate ways, Justin racing up the street to the palace, perhaps hoping that if he ran fast enough, he could escape detection.
Finn followed his father in the opposite direction. He had not realized quite how large the environs of the city of Atlantis were. Even though the city itself was only a small part of the original island, they had a long walk to the coast.
The sea was still nowhere in sight when one of the immortals finally decided to appear. Cari stood directly in their path, along with an unfamiliar man.
“King Nereus, I must advise against your current course of action,” Cari said.
“What do you know of my intentions?”
“You hope to negotiate with the humans,” Cari said. “You believe you can convince them to allow you and your people to leave the island.”
“Yes.”
“They will not agree to this.”
“We haven’t even spoken to them yet.”
Cari sighed. “I’m the Goddess of Prophecy. I have seen what is to come. You must turn back from this road.”
“You aren’t always correct in your predictions of the future,” King Nereus pointed out.
“Because the future is not a set path,” Cari replied. “You’ll recall that my Oracles foretold that if Prince Finn were to leave the city, the Atlanteans would return. Your son has left the city and Atlanteans are heading this way. The call of the city is too strong to be denied. Two of them hav
e already walked this land today in their quest for the truth about what happened to the land of their ancestors.”
“So we saw.”
“Then believe me and listen now,” Cari begged. “You must leave the city at once.”
“I am Nereus, King of Atlantis -”
“You were king of the sunken city,” Cari corrected. “The city is no longer at the bottom of the ocean. It is no longer a suitable location for the mer to live.”
“I can see that,” King Nereus snapped. “Unfortunately, what I can’t see is somewhere else we can go, instead. If I speak to the humans in charge, I can try to negotiate the resettlement of my people.”
Cari raised her hand to stop their progression. “I can see you are going to need more convincing. Here… Let me show you what the future holds if you continue with your plans.”
Finn gasped as the world around him changed. The island vanished and he found himself standing in a strange room with lots of odd instruments.
“This is what humans call a science laboratory,” Cari explained.
Finn had guessed as much.
“Take a look around, King Nereus, and after you’ve seen the type of people you’ll be dealing with, you can decide whether it is worth the risk of speaking with the humans.”
Finn took a step after his father, but Cari raised her hand to stop him. “You don’t need to see through there, Finn.”
“Why? What is it?”
“Nothing you should ever have to see.”
Finn had to see for himself what was so bad. Even though he knew he should follow Cari’s advice, curiosity got the better of him.
When he rounded the corner, he bumped straight into his father, who quickly tried to send him back the way he had come. He wasn’t fast enough to stop Finn from seeing what Cari wanted him to avoid.
Finn’s own body lay on the lab’s table. He was in mer form and his stomach and the top of his tail had been sliced open. Several scientists were cutting him open, studying him and making notes on what they found.
He had no idea how he had died, but from the look of his body, Finn guessed his death was imminent.
His father dragged him, stumbling, back to Cari.