“What’s up?” asked Aran.
Understanding how crazy it would sound to Aran, Eiris kept it to himself.
“Nothing. I thought I saw someone I knew.” said Eiris.
“You sure it just wasn’t that weird bird in the tree over there?” joked Aran.
“Probably.” laughed Eiris. “The game starts in a few hours anyway, I gotta get going.” he said.
“Right. See you in the locker room later?” Aran asked.
Eiris nodded in acknowledgement as he sped off. Skating home, he couldn’t forget what he saw at the cove, especially since that bird appeared again. But who was it? Or what?
Once back in his shed room, Eiris couldn’t shake the memory of those glowing blue eyes in the darkness. Suddenly, he remembered something he had read not long ago about that exact topic. He quickly began searching under his bed for a certain conspiracy article in the local paper that caught his attention a few months ago.
Extraterrestrial Legends was the title of the article, penned by a local Seattle marine biologist. It contained conspiracies about some of Earth’s most popular legends being traced to extraterrestrials that he claimed were very active in the Milky Way galaxy. He wrote that one of them saved him from drowning and often referred to the alien’s glowing eyes in the article.
Determined to track this man down, Eiris found his address online and sped over to a small blue house just outside of Alki, in a suburb named Oak Village. As he neared the door, he could see someone peeking through the curtains. Before he could reach for the doorknob, a tired-looking middle aged man opened the door with a baseball bat at the ready.
“I knew you’d come for me!!! You won’t take me alive!!!” he yelled.
“Dr. Atley sir, I’m just here to ask you about your article! I think it’s pretty interesting.” said Eiris trying to calm the man down.
“You’re……...not here to kill me?” asked Dr. Atley.
“No, of course not sir.” Eiris laughed. “My name is Eiris Penatia, I’m a student at Alki High School. I’d like to learn more about your article for um…………. a school project.” he said innocently.
“High School? Oh, well sorry about that. Come on in.” said Dr. Atley.
Eiris went inside the dim living room and sat on a couch covered with scattered articles and books. Dr. Atley brought Eiris a glass of water and sat in the chair facing him.
“Take off your hood please.” asked Dr. Atley.
“Why?” asked Eiris
“I have to make sure you’re not one of the aliens. If you’re human, you have nothing to worry about.” He said.
“Sure.” said Eiris as he flipped his hood off, revealing his long black hair.
“Hmmm. You sure look like one of them. But if you were, I’m sure I’d be dead already.” said Dr. Atley.
“One of who Dr. Atley?” asked Eiris.
“The aliens.” Dr. Atley said in a low and overly dramatic tone.
“Please, tell me more about them.” requested Eiris.
“It was about five months ago. I was out collecting samples at the Duwamish Head on my little boat one night. All of a sudden a strong breeze knocked me overboard. The current pulled me far away from my boat and I eventually fell unconscious, probably from exerting myself trying to swim back to land. When I awoke, I was being carried to the beach by a large man dressed in shining silver armor with a beautiful royal crest emblazoned on his chest. I’ll never forget his appearance. The powerful muscles, the long jet black hair, similar to yours. But most distinctive were those eyes. Blue and glowing. I’ll never forget them. He was the most exotic and quite frankly beautiful man I’d ever seen in my life.” said Dr. Atley.
“You sound like you admire him.” noted Eiris.
“I also admire big cats and dinosaurs, but that doesn’t mean I don’t fear them.” he said in a terse reply.
“What happened next?” asked Eiris.
“After that, things went into a blur and I slipped into unconsciousness again. But……” started Dr. Atley.
“But what?”
“Right before I blacked out I think I saw something emerge from the water.” Dr. Atley replied.
“What’d you see?”
“I’m not sure. It looked like a technologically advanced submarine of some kind.” said Dr. Atley.
“A submarine?” asked Eiris.
“Yes. A submarine.” Dr. Atley confirmed. “Not long after I was discharged from the hospital I began researching alien encounters. Everyone thinks I’m either crazy or obsessed, but I found some interesting things. I found that others have already come into contact with these aliens in the past and many of their descriptions were very similar to what we already know.” he informed.
“How so? asked Eiris.
“Our legends.” said Dr. Atley grimly.
“You think our legends come from these aliens?” asked Eiris in disbelief.
“Of course! Think about it! As a matter of fact, in the spirit of science, I’ll prove it to you.” Dr. Atley said. “Here’s an article written forty years ago about a group of mountain climbers who claimed to have seen the Abominable Snowman again in the Himalayas. They all spoke of him looking like a giant man covered in snow with glowing icy blue eyes. Here’s another one about a hiker supposedly seeing Big Foot in the forest. She said he had glowing green eyes. Here’s another one about a bunch of sailors claiming to have seen a mermaid. They said the locals called her the Breathless Beauty. They often spoke of her glowing blue eyes, like my alien friend. I mean all of them. El Dorado, the Loch Ness monster, the Fountain of Youth, La Isla Perdida, Atlantis! All of them find their origins back to these mysterious beings. And you know what the common denominator is to all of these encounters?”
“Glowing eyes?” Eiris replied.
“Bingo. I think the aliens circulated these legends themselves to make their existence seem unbelievable. In fact, I believe they live right here among us.” said Dr. Atley as he gazed intently at Eiris.
“You think I’m an alien?” laughed Eiris.
“You tell me Mr. Penatia. How else do you explain your exotic purple eyes? Not to mention your similarly beauteous appearance. And don’t say they’re contacts because no one wears contacts and glasses at the same time.” Dr. Atley squinted suspiciously.
Realizing coming here might have been a mistake, Eiris recalled the excuse he always gave for his almost exclusively rare eyes, one that most scientists wouldn’t refute.
“As a scientist I’m sure you’re aware of Alexandria’s Genesis.” said Eiris with a straight face.
“Of course I am. But that doesn’t mean I believe it.” said Dr. Atley.
“I can assure you, I’m no alien Dr. Atley.” replied Eiris.
“So you’re as smart as you look. Very well. I rescind my previous statement. But always remember, the truth will come out eventually. It always does.” smiled Dr. Atley.
“Will do. Thanks for your time Dr. Atley. I hope you find what you’re looking for.” nodded Eiris as he shook his hand.
“Likewise, my young friend. Interesting tattoos by the way.” hinted Dr. Atley as Eiris walked out.
“Thanks.” Eiris nodded.
Eiris then began skating to school and never once dared to look back, fearing Dr. Atley would somehow see it as confirmation of his crazy theories. As he navigated through the crowded parking lot of the Predators arena, he saw Mr. Greavesly and sped to the locker room to avoid him. As he thought about what Dr. Atley had said things began to sort of make sense, even though the doctor had sounded absolutely crazy as he spoke.
All his life Eiris felt… different…than those around him. His curiosity swelled as he considered the doctor’s implications. Is that what I am? An alien? More importantly, are there really others like me here? If so, why? He had so many questions racing through his mind that he accidently put the wrong pair of hockey blades in Spike’s locker.
“Whatcha stupid or sumn’ pretty eyes?! I thought I said CCM’s, not E
aston’s for weekend games!!!” shouted Spike.
“Sorry Spike, I got a little distracted. I’ll fix it.” replied Eiris.
“Oh, it’s a little too late for that. Ain’t that right Brock?” smirked Spike.
“Oh yea.” Brock joined in with an evil laugh.
As Spike and his other jock henchmen crowded Eiris, a familiar voice sounded.
“Leave him alone.” warned Aran.
“Stay out of this!” yelled Spike.
Aran stood his ground and glared at Spike, prompting the others to back away and return to their lockers. Spike glared back at Aran for a few seconds and then pushed Eiris against the locker before departing to his own.
“I’ll see you on the ice.” threatened Spike.
“How unfortunate for you.” Aran responded without even the slightest tinge of fear.
“Thanks man.” said Eiris as he collected himself.
“Don’t mention it. Besides, us nerd/jock hybrids gotta stick together right?” joked Aran.
“Hybrids huh?” Eiris laughed giving Aran a hand slap followed by a fist pound. “While I agree that we’re alike in some ways, bullies aren’t afraid of nerds. It’s usually the other way around. That’s the way things have always been.” he smiled.
“Well maybe that needs to change.” smiled Aran as they walked out.
While the scrimmage got under way, Eiris sat on the bench of the first line taking notes and giving the players water. Hundreds of people were in the bleachers cheering them on. Two in particular stood out. Aran Tanner at center and Spike Bresbin as an opposing defenseman.
By the end of the first period Aran already had an assist and two goals. But Spike was playing much angrier than usual, checking his opposing teammates mercilessly on every play. As Eiris watched on, he got that strange feeling again and this time immediately saw where it was coming from.
Seated on the other side of the arena was a hooded figure with his eyes fixed directly on him. Eiris began to stare back at him when suddenly a flurry of ice hit him directly in the face. Spike pushed off the ice with a mocking laugh when Eiris realized what he just did. Many people in the stands began laughing and jeering at Eiris, prompting Aran to return to the bench early.
“You alright broski?” asked Aran as he gave Eiris a towel.
“I don’t know. I feel like something’s going on with my body. I feel less and less in control every second that passes. I’m kind of afraid something bad might happen.” whispered Eiris.
“Sounds like an emotion called anger. Don’t worry, before this game is over I’ll make sure he pays for that.” laughed Aran.
“It’s cool man…….” started Eiris before Aran hastily jumped back into the game.
Nearing the middle of the second period, Spike continued to punish his teammates with violent checks. After a particularly brutal hit on one guy, a fed up Aran began speeding face to face in Spike’s direction. Seeing the challenge, Spike pushed off the ice towards Aran. Until something horrible happened.
“BANG!!!”
Brock came from Aran’s blindside with a dangerously hard check into the Plexiglas. Aran’s limp body slid off of the Plexiglas and everyone jumped out of their seats in fear. As the medical crew rushed onto the ice to tend to the unconscious Aran, Eiris was overcome with an intense rage he couldn’t control. As he felt his body become filled with heat, the ice in the rink began to sizzle, resulting in scattered, steaming ice particles in the rink.
Eiris then stood up as a few people began to notice what was happening to the ice. Watching Spike and Brock as they looked on without remorse at Aran’s limp figure, Eiris’ eyes began to glow purple. He noticed the hooded figure was now gone as this uncontrollable power flowed through him. Then something terribly frightening happened.
A blast of powerful shadow came from Eiris’ hands and filled the arena, knocking Spike and Brock through the Plexiglas and into the stands! Everyone began running out of the arena and screaming in a fearful panic at the sight of Eiris with his glowing purple eyes. Realizing in shock what he had just done, he looked down at his hands in fearful disbelief.
“Hey! Don’t move!” ordered the local security.
“He’s ova thea, get em!” yelled Mr. Greavesly.
Unsure of what to do, Eiris turned and ran out of the arena into the crowded parking lot full of people panicking and running to their cars. With a much elevated heartbeat, Eiris ran towards the city as sirens sounded off in the distance. He knew he could hide in the alleys of Seattle and evade the police, at least until he could figure out what just happened. His mind was in turmoil-what kind of power was this? Where did it come from?? He had no idea how he had thrown those two bullies through that wall, yet somehow he knew the strange shadow power had emanated from within him. He desperately wanted to stop running, to think about what was happening to him.
As he got closer to the city, two nearby cops spotted him and began to chase him.
“You there! Stop!” yelled one of them.
Afraid of what already happened and what might happen again, Eiris just kept running. He passed by CenturyLink Field and ran into a nearby alley, but then, this bad dream got even worse.
“FREEZE FREAK!” yelled an overzealous cop as he aimed his weapon at Eiris.
“Move one muscle and we’ll shoot!” yelled the other.
Before Eiris could turn around and give up, he heard the officers get eerily quiet. As he turned around, he saw something unbelievable. The hooded figure had both of his palms raised making both cops levitate unconsciously. He brought his palms down, gently lowering the unconscious officers to the ground. He then removed his hood, revealing glowing blue eyes and long, jet black hair.
“Are you okay?” he asked in a gentle tone.
“Um…...yeah. I think so.” said Eiris as he gravely looked down at the unconscious cops.
“They are alive. I simply put them to sleep. But we must go now, you are in…………” he said before trailing off and glaring sharply at a nearby rooftop.
He shed his cloak, revealing what looked to be some sort of form fitting fighter’s uniform although the insignia did not seem to be from any country Eiris could recognize. He then began tensely scanning the area. Sharply looking at a specific area above them, he reached behind him and slowly drew a shiny metal blade that immediately shifted into some type of magnetic sword.
“What is it?” asked Eiris, also beginning to sense the threatening energy nearby.
Just then dozens of glowing red eyes began to emerge from the nearby alleys and rooftops, leaving Eiris stunned. The figure’s clothing then changed from silver to black, as if it were alive.
“RUN!!!” yelled the figure.
Eiris began running further down the alley, but looked back in time to see the figure spike the butt of his sword into the ground, triggering a large electromagnetic pulse in the form of a half-sphere. The power went out in the surrounding area and the creatures with red eyes began screeching. As the figure began running behind Eiris, he started discharging a plasma-based weapon at the creatures as he ran.
“Turn left up ahead!” informed the figure as he skillfully fended off the aggressive creatures.
Eiris then turned onto the street and began running. He noticed a faint light up ahead coming in their direction at a ridiculously fast speed. All of a sudden three of the creatures jumped down from a rooftop directly in front of Eiris. The giant robotic-looking creatures began screeching and charging at Eiris before the heroic stranger dove in front of him and began skillfully firing and slicing them down. More began to appear as he fought and one came up on his blindside. Eiris reflexively waved his palm and shadow swept into the creature, knocking it back several meters. Before Eiris could make another move, a sleek sports car drifted into a half-turn with the doors open right in front of him.
“Hop in!” yelled a beautiful woman with glowing blue eyes and dark blue hair.
Taking the glowing blue eyes as a friendly sign, Eiris hopped in the ba
ck seat as the figure protecting him jumped in the passenger seat. The creatures then began firing red beams at the car as it sped through the city.
“Is this him Captain?” asked the woman.
“It is. And I am no longer captain of the Leviathan. You are.” Marz said calmly.
“Ok, hold on tight!” she said as she pushed the car to unimaginable speeds down a narrow street.
Eiris’ eyes got wider once he realized where she was driving. She then glanced at him through the rearview mirror and smiled as the car sped off of the ledge, headfirst into Elliott Bay. Submerged in the bay, the back of the car began slightly changing as some sort of propulsion system began to power it underwater.
Eiris marveled agape through the window at the many types of fish they passed as the car navigated underwater. He had so many questions for these two strangers who had so suddenly saved his life. He wanted so badly to stand up and shout-Who are you? What were those creatures? Where are we going?? But, the effects of shock and the sudden loss of adrenaline quickly overcame him. Eiris began to slowly drift asleep in the backseat, exhausted from the unexpected battle and the miles of running.
He woke up some time later in a huge bed inside of an amazing room. Sumptuous pillows and a silky soft comforter enveloped him as he stared around the room in awe. Beautiful silk drapes surrounded the bed which was made of rich dark colored wood and embellished with intricate carvings. Curtains of deep royal purple decorated large windows that reached up to a vaulted ceiling high above. He also noted that one entire wall seemed to be made of some sort of advanced holographic technology. It displayed in stark detail a dazzling view of a rainforest canopy with every shade of green imaginable glistening in the light of the morning sun. As he sat up to get a better view, he began to realize that this wasn’t a dream.
“Ah, you are awake your majesty. It’s truly an honor to finally meet you.” said a friendly voice in the doorway.
“What’d you call me?” asked Eiris groggily.
“I called you majesty.” he replied.
Shadows of Atlantis: Emergence of the Engi Page 3
