Nibiru Returns

by Tod Eten

  ‘So what exactly is this visitor of yours’ Aya said impatiently still not happy about what Toth had requested from Aiden.

  ‘It will be here soon just watch’ Toth said pointing at the oasis.

  They waited in silence watching the valley for any signs of movement when finally Toth raised his hand and pointed to the mouth of the valley. Aiden looked where he pointed but could see nothing but the tops of the Palm trees.

  ‘He comes to drink water’ Toth whispered as a shape slowly began emerging out of the palm trees that surrounded the oasis. Once out in the open and lit by the the moonlight Aiden could see that the creature looked like an Iguana, but it was the size of a bus. From the creatures head a tongue flicked out tasting the air around it as it. The creature on reaching the water’s edge lowered its head and took a long drink. Its thirst sated it then turned and left the way it had came its long tail disappearing back into the shadows under the trees.

  Toth led them back inside.

  ‘What is that thing’ Aiden asked.

  ‘Well it has many names but I think you would know it as a Basilisk’ Toth replied.

  ‘It seems to me that all it wants is a drink of water why not leave the creature alone’ Aya asked.

  ‘It will not be long before it makes its home here and then we will be trapped no it must be driven off or killed,’ Toth said firmly.

  They entered the room where the rest of the group were waiting.

  ‘So what creature is it Aiden’ Gagan asked.

  ‘It’s a Basilisk’ Aiden answered still not certain what that meant.

  ‘So they actually exist as well’ Gagan exclaimed, ‘the myths say that one look from a Basilisk will turn you to stone, how can you defeat a creature like that?’

  Aiden looked at Gagan open mouthed and then turned to Toth for an answer.

  ‘That is a myth’ Toth reassured Aiden ‘It can only spit fire’

  ‘Fire!’ Aiden exclaimed.

  ‘OK Toth that’s enough of all this Aiden is not going to do this thing you want or anyone else for that matter, we will be on our way.’ Aya said angrily.

  ‘Wait Aya Aiden will be in very little danger I promise and he needs to do this for his own good’ Toth said looking at Aya meaningfully.

  ‘How will you keep him from danger?’ Aya demanded.

  ‘I will show you tomorrow and if you are still not happy then Aiden does not have to do this thing’ Toth said holding his hands up.

  ‘Well I suppose’ Aya said still uncertain.

  ‘Fire!’ Aiden said again, ‘It spits fire!’

  The next day Toth led them all back out into the valley and walked over to the spot where the Basilisk had emerged from the trees its tracks in the sand still clearly visible.

  ‘So what is this great plan of yours?’ Aya asked.

  ‘My plan yes’ Toth said looking at the oasis. ‘Well the thing about Basilisks is that they hate water you see, so my thought is that Aiden stays on the other side of the oasis and shoots the creature’

  ‘That’s your plan’ Aya said incredulous ‘you want Aiden to just stand on the other side of this’ she pointed at the oasis ‘and fire arrows?’

  Toth looked at the oasis and back at Aya ‘yes you are right he will be too far away over there I think he will need to be over there more’ Toth pointed to a spot that was nearer.

  ‘I have heard enough we are going’ Charmiene said turning to go.

  ‘Wait Aya all it will take is one arrow to kill the beast I promise‘ Toth said stopping her.

  ‘Wait you said the Basilisk does not like water right’ Gagan interrupted them.

  ‘Yes it cannot swim so it stays away from water’ Toth replied.

  ‘And how deep is the oasis’ Gagan continued

  ‘It is about three of my lengths in the middle why?’ Toth said intrigued.

  ‘Well if this creature can’t swim and if the oasis is deep enough why can’t Aiden shoot it from the middle of the oasis? All we need to do is build him a raft on which he can stand on.’

  ‘Excellent ‘ Toth clapped his hands with pleasure, ‘yes we can build a raft, I have a design that will be perfect.’

  Aya looked at them in bewilderment ‘You are forgetting that this thing spits fire Aiden will be out there in the open!’

  ‘I will be OK’ Aiden said ‘Toth said that it would only take one arrow remember.’

  ‘Toth says many things Aiden believe me I know!’ Aya said dubiously.

  ‘Aya you hurt my feelings’ Toth said hand on his heart.

  ‘I am sure one of your muses will rub them better’ Aya replied coldly.

  ‘I will be OK Aya, remember you said that it was up to us to decide if we should follow you or not, well surely it’s up to me to decide whether to do this or not!’ Aiden said.

  Aya paused and considered his words, ‘Well Aiden if you are set on this I will not stop you then’ Aya said coming to a decision.

  Soon they all then set about constructing a raft that Aiden would stand on. Toth showed them how to build the raft using instructions from a scroll he had taken from his library. With the construction of the raft well underway Toth then took Aiden together with his bow and arrows to the mouth of the valley in order to teach Aiden how to use the weapon.

  ‘So please Aiden aim for that tree’ Toth said pointing. Aiden did as he was told drawing the bow back as far as he was able, just past half way now. Then he fired the arrow which thudded into the tree trunk.

  ‘Good’ Toth said ‘now please do it again and this time say Adar Alal’

  Aiden did as he was told, he drew the bow as far back as he could and said the words that Toth had told him and fired the arrow which also struck the tree trunk in much the same way as the first.

  ‘Try it again’ Toth encouraged and so Aiden tried again saying the words Toth had told him and firing an arrow but each time with the same result.

  ‘It doesn’t seem to be working’ Aiden said as they went to retrieve his arrows.

  ‘Yes’ Toth agreed ‘I don’t think it is just a case of saying the words there must be more’ Toth remained silent as they walked back with arrows they had collected.

  ‘That is it!’ Toth said ‘just saying the words are not enough you must understand and believe in the words as well.’

  ‘So what does Adar Alal mean?’ Aiden asked.

  ‘Well the closest meaning is, well Adar would be the star of life and Alal is the destroyer, now try thinking that when you say the words’ Toth instructed, ‘and remember that Alal is the word of power’

  Aiden did as he was told not only saying the words but thinking about their meaning as well but still he had the same results as before and Toth scratched his head in bewilderment.

  Aiden looked at the bow that he held in his hand and thought about the words Toth had told him Adar meant ‘star of life’, what does that mean Aiden thought turning the phrase over in his head. He had life he thought maybe ‘star of life’ referred to him and his life force so ‘Star of life’ was him, and Alal was ‘Destroyer’ that Aiden thought must refer to what the fired arrow would do. So ‘Adar Alal’ could mean that through his life force he can destroy. As Aiden thought this he felt the bow tingle in his hand.

  ‘What was that?’ Toth said suddenly, ‘What did you just do’

  Aiden explained what he had been thinking and even as he did he felt the bow tingle in his hand once more.

  ‘’Yes yes yes’ Toth said delighted ‘please try to fire another arrow’

  Aiden notched another arrow and as he said the words ‘Adar Alal’ he thought about using his life force to destroy. The bow this time shimmered in his hand and drawing the bow nearly fully back launched an arrow at his target. The arrow flew like a bullet and buried itself deep into the tree trunk.

  ‘Yes yes’ Toth clapped ‘that’s it, that’s it’

  Aiden fired a few more arrows and found the more he tried to channel his life force into the bow the better the results and found
that he did not need to say the words out loud all he needed to do was think them. Aiden spent the rest of the afternoon practicing. Aya came over to watch to make sure he could use the bow properly. Aya again asked Aiden if he was sure that he wanted to go through with this and Aiden assured her he was.

  That evening with the raft made ready in the centre of the oasis and with Aiden positioned on it bow in hand he waited as night fell. Looking back at the cliff wall Aiden could just about make out Aya and Toth who watched quietly from the same place they had been last night when he had first seen the creature. Aiden suddenly wished that he was up there with them, what would happen if he did not kill the creature with his first shot he wondered doubts beginning to creep into his mind. Aiden tried to calm himself going over what Toth had told him to do. The Basilisk could spit fire but Toth had told him that it had to open its mouth out wide in order to do this that, Aiden was told this would be when it was at its most vulnerable. If Aiden could fire an arrow into its open mouth it would in all certainty kill the monster according to Toth. Which was all well and good Aiden thought, but if the Basilisk was opening its mouth to spit fire it would be because it was attacking him. So how was he meant to stand and fire an arrow! Looking up Aiden could see the stars now shining in the night sky and realised that it would not be long now and felt his chest tighten. Again the doubts surfaced in his mind, why had he been so keen to do this, he should have listened to Aya she was right he was no warrior.

  Aiden heard the hoot of an owl the pre arranged signal that the Basilisk was coming and his heart started to race. Gripping his bow tightly he notched an arrow with a trembling hand. Aiden tried once more to calm himself down. One shot he thought that is all I need, one shot!’ Aiden steadied himself on the raft getting down on one knee his bow and arrow at the ready.

  Aiden watched the trees for any sign of movement and then there at the edge of the trees Aiden saw a shadow and a moment later that vast maw of a prehistoric lizard poked its head out from the trees. Aiden felt his heart in his throat, how would he be able to kill a thing like this he thought.

  The Basilisk slowly left the shelter of the trees and made its way down to the water’s edge its armoured scales glinting in the moonlight. The creature was even larger than he had thought a good seventy feet in length. Even though Toth had assured Aiden that the creature had poor eyesight he felt certain that the creature must see him clearly as it slowly ambled towards the water’s edge on its four sturdy. Now Aiden could now smell the Basilisk, it stank like the remains of a million rotting eggs. The creature looked around once more oblivious to Aiden out on the water. So Toth had been right about its eye sight at least Aiden thought. Satisfied it was safe the lizard now bent its head to take a drink. Aiden prepared to shoot thinking about the words Toth had taught him. But Aidens mind was also concentrating on trying to stop his hands from shaking from the fear now coursing through his veins. Try as he might he could not get the words to work, which only increased his sense of panic even more. Aiden tried to concentrate on the words again and this time he felt the bow tingle and without hesitation Aiden fired.

  Aiden watched as the arrow sped towards the creature just missing its head and striking the Basilisk just behind its right shoulder and glancing harmlessly off. The Basilisk bellowed a hollow sounding roar that echoed around the valley looking for its attacker. It saw Aiden standing on the raft and the creature reared up on its hind legs its mouth wide open. As it landed back down on all fours it spat a ball of fire at him. Aiden only just managed to throw himself flat on the raft as the fireball passed by over head its heat scolding him. Somehow Aiden got himself back on his feet and fired another arrow but in his panic he was unable to use the words that he had learnt and his arrow simply bounced off the monster just making it angrier. The Basilisk fired another ball of fire at Aiden which Aiden once again ducked under. The creature now advanced into the water and Aiden realised with horror that the thing might be able to swim despite what Toth had said. The creature spat another fire ball that Aiden only just managed to avoid and in desperation he blindly shot a third arrow which like the others harmlessly bounced off the lizard’s armoured hide. The Basilisk was half way in the water now and was slowly advancing towards Aiden who realised that he would soon be the beast’s next meal when suddenly two more arrows bouncing off the Basilisks side. The creature whirled in fury to face its new attacker and Aiden turned just in time to see Seth and Demitri hurl themselves out of the way of the fire ball that the Basilisk spat at them. The Basilisk was then struck on its other side by more arrows and in a rage the Basilisk spat another fire ball this time at Long and Elden who also dove quickly out of the way. Aiden seeing his friends fighting the creature felt his courage flooding back and this time he recalled the words of power the bow coming alive in his hand Aiden fired yet another arrow. This arrow struck the Basilisk in its side. The arrow penetrated through the creature thick scales and the beast gave a roar of pain and fury and immediately fired a fire ball at Aiden who this time was unable to dodge the missile. The fireball caught him on his shoulder throwing him back on the raft. Aiden felt the pain of the fire searing through the top of his arm. Then as had happened when he had encountered the ogre he felt a force taking him over and once more he became detached from his own body. All his fear vanished, he saw himself as if from a distance as the Basilisk who now ignoring the futile efforts of his friends concentrated on Aiden solely. Aiden watched as he stood up once more on the raft, easily dodging another fireball launched by the creature. He watched as he almost casually notched an arrow on his bow Adar Alal which now shone as bright as a star and he effortlessly drew the bow back to its to its full length taking aim at the Basilisk as it opened its mouth to fire yet another fireball. Aiden watched as he fired. His arrow glowing bright flew like a bolt of lightening straight and true into the creatures gaping maw. The Basilisk’s head was snapped back by the impact of the arrow and the great lizard crashed into the oasis stone dead. Aiden watched himself with some amazement as he now heard the cheering coming from Toth which was soon joined by the others.

  By the time Aiden had it made back to the shore of the Oasis everyone had come out from Toth's home all wanting to congratulate Aiden and see the monster first hand. Aiden in a daze looked at the body of the Basilisk and saw that its mouth could easily have swallowed him whole. Aiden felt someone gently taking hold of his hand and looking up he saw Aya who led him away from the Basilisk. Aiden passed by Demitri and Toth who were discussing what the creature might taste like, which would be pretty awful if you went by its smell Aiden thought. Aya led Aiden back inside and sitting Aiden down took a look at his injured shoulder.

  ‘Aren’t you going to congratulate me?’ Aiden asked.

  ‘Just you! I seem to remember that you had some help out there as well’ Aya countered ‘now take your shirt off I will need to clean that shoulder of yours’

  Aya left the room returning some minutes later with a small bowel of water and a towel together with some ointments. Aya carefully washed Aiden’s burnt shoulder making Aiden wince.

  ‘Keep still’ Aya ordered and began applying the ointments. Almost immediately Aiden felt his shoulder cool down and the pain lift and he sighed in relief.

  ‘There’ Aya said ‘you will have a scar you can show off to prove that you are now a warrior. Now go and get washed and dressed you are to be Toth's guest of honour at tonight’s meal.

  As Aya had said Aiden was indeed Toths guest of honour. Toth seated Aiden at the head of the room and a number of Toths muses sat beside him making a great fuss of him stroking his head and body and feeding him grapes and fruit as well as wine. Toth sat to one side of Aiden retelling the events of the night and how the Basilisk was slain. Aiden hardly heard him fully taken by the attentions of the beautiful muses. Aiden only started to pay attention to Toth when he told how Seth, Demitri, Long and Elden had distracted the beast.

  ‘Whose idea was that?’ Aiden asked.

  ‘It was Gagan�
��s he thought it would be a good idea to have a backup plan if you got into trouble’ Toth replied.

  ‘I would have been out there with them’ Gagan said miserably ‘but they would not let me’

  ‘Gagan you could not hit a barn door with that bow of yours! There was more chance that you would have hit Aiden and the same goes for Aaron he also wanted to be out there but he is worse than Gagan with a bow and arrow!’ Seth said giving Gagan a friendly nudge.

  ‘Well I got to thank all of you, I think that thing would have had me if it wasn’t for what you did’ Aiden said. ‘Now Toth I have kept my part of the deal, you said you would tell us about who we are?’

  ‘Yes and tell you I shall’ Toth agreed. ‘So I have told you all some of the history of the Neteru. How when they first arrived on Earth they found humankind and how some of the Neteru taught humans and in turn were worshiped by them. Remember when I said that the Neteru looked at humans and were in awe of the way you were in harmony with the world. Instead of killing each other and the creatures around you, you lived in peace. But that was not all that the Neteru saw in humans. For humans and Neteru were not so different from each other in appearance and so it was that some Neteru became attracted to human’s taking them as mates. These pairings had offspring who the Neteru called the Sanzeru, who would inherit to a lesser degree some of the powers of their Neteru parent and these Sanzeru in turn did live amongst humans taking them as partners and so the seed of the Neteru was slowly spread amongst humans.’

  ‘Demi gods you mean like Achillies and Heracles from the greek myths’ Gagan guessed.

  ‘Yes exactly so Gagan!’ Toth nodded.

  ‘So are you saying that we have Neteru blood in us?’ Gagan aked.

  ‘Yes that is precisely what I am saying!’ Toth confirmed.

  ‘So we all part Neteru?’ Faith said bewildered.

  ‘By my calculations all of you to some degree or other have some Neteru inheritance yes but it will be much diluted’