“Oh my God” Tina screamed.
“Who are you?” Asked James curiously.
“Alexa, of the tribe Awondel! You come to hunt?” She spoke in a primitive and broken English manner.
“I guess we are.” James nodded. “I am James. This is Tina.”
“Come with me. Be safer.” She led them out into a path in the woods that was apparently untouched by the pack because the trees appeared to be covered in foul smelling plants. The duo clinched their noses as they followed Alexa through the jungle who had obviously already having grown accustomed to the smell, and exhibiting to one another not so fond memories and recollections of the tunnels in the jail they were captive in previously.
“Is our life always going to be on a path of stench?” James joked and Tina smirked not as amused as their trek through the jungle commenced.
James and Tina felt that they were being escorted like lambs to the slaughter. They were grateful that their savior was so helpful but they seemed to doubt their benefactor in some way as if she was hiding something. She said very little during their trek through the forest as if not having much to say or the ability to say it well enough for them so she responded to their inquiries with one word answers, “Yes”, “No”, and “Wait.” When they asked what those wolf monkey creatures were, she merely responded with a word, “Beasts.”
“Are they from here?” James Asked.
“Yes!” Alexa responded and accelerated her walk forcing them to run to catch up.
“Are you familiar with any legends regarding what we saw so far?” Asked James.
“There are only too many. One of the most prominent is an ancient legend telling of the tep zepi or the first time. This is supposedly a time when ‘sky gods’, ‘sky watchers’, or beasts came to man to provide everything from laws to fire and knowledge. They transformed the land to water and flew through the air in flying boats.” Tina spoke quickly as the duo tried to catch up with their new friend.
Alexa walked quickly while speaking slowly. “Hurry. The beast men will return.”
“Unreal… like spirits or invisible aliens?” James uttered.
“They were supposed to be like protectors to guide people to their ultimate fates but little is known about them.” Said Tina. She and James continued into the forest led by their strong ad silent guide, Alexa.
Within moments, they arrived at a series of bushes. Alexa turned to the duo and nodded with a stern look as if cautioning them and then looking around to make sure they were alone. Without a word, she used her hands to part the bushes and a metallic door was revealed. The door seemed like nothing they have ever seen, a metal of strange lucre, showing apparent signs of age like dust and mold growing on it but no rust and no tear. There was a small insert in the center of the door for some type of object. Also, there was a strange gilded like design of a double curved line with a loop in the center and two on the bottom so it looked to James like five orbs hovering before him.
“What could that mean?” James wondered thinking the primordial woman before them couldn’t have made it like that.
Alexa removed a small silver metallic cylindrical object from her exterior garter belt. James saw it had the same gilded like marking of the five orbs etched on it. She inserted the object into the insert on the door and stepped back. Within nanoseconds, the key moved through the door and disappeared to the other side as the door slid open revealing an inner sanctum, an encampment where others were walking and sitting. Alexa led her two new companions into the room and the door slid shut behind them. Alexa pardoned her way back to the door and removed the key she previously inserted that was now resting on a similar insert on the other side of the door.
“Come” Alexa beckoned to James and Tina. She led them through the encampment. James and Tina looked up in awe at what appeared to be a never ending ceiling that seemed to veer up into the heavens, well lit, a dome shape at the very top, and plants of all varieties growing in the dome, animals of various species local and foreign to this land walking about as if in their natural habitat. There were straw huts in no particular formation surrounding the encampment and objects of normal kitchen use, clay pots, plates, and goblets scattered about. The people were thin and frail, brown and tan skinned, unlike Alexa, and some were taller than others and they wore skins like Alexa. They smiled as they saw the strangers in their home but some kept their distance. Seeing fear in their eyes, James kept his eyes forward as he and Tina followed Alexa. She led them to a small hut which seemed bigger than the others at what appeared to be the end of the dome. James and Tina looked back in shock at a great deal more that was uncovered by these simple villagers and they wondered who or what could have created and occupied this place before these people moved in. James and Tina entered the larger hut and walked to the back several yards into it passing benches and artifacts lined up along the sides. James stood in awe at the symbols he never saw before. Tina was amazed.
“Wow, check out the images from history!” Tina exclaimed in pure joy.
“You know this stuff?” Asked James.
“Are you kidding? I studied many symbolical arts in college… the little college I did get.”
“That’s more than what I got.” James shrugged. “But I recognize that one.” James pointed to the five orbs symbol they saw on the door and key to this place.
“It’s the symbol for union.” Tina explained. “I also see Greek, Roman, Far Eastern…” she continued.
“Great,” James interrupted beckoning to their host who appeared to be impatient from their abrupt stop.
“Come,” Alexa said. They followed her without another word and were led to an elderly man sitting down with his legs crossed at the far end of the hut. Light Latin style music played in the distance by wooden string instruments and animal skin drums. The melody was rhythmic in the large dome that appeared to enhance the acoustic vibrations and spread it throughout the tent.
“It sounds like a rhapsody” commented Tina.
The man wore a small headdress made of animal skull and a long well-adorned robe with feathers, jewels, metals, and other artifacts found in nature. He appeared to be the leader, well respected, and reviled. He had a long white beard and long white straggly hair over his dark tan face and deep brown eyes that were shut. Alexa kneeled down before him and then sat cross legged as he did. She beckoned to the duo to do the same and they slowly did. The man’s eyes opened. He spoke in a language that they did not understand. It was darker, colder, and mysterious. Alexa nodded as he spoke looking at James and Tina directly.
“You are here from a great distance.” Alexa spoke slowly translating for the man.
“Yes, how did you know?” Tina asked gently perplexed furrowing her brow.
”You are out of place.” Alexa spoke softly with no trace of any accent of any kind.
“That was obvious.” Said James. “Do you know what he is saying, Tina? You are the educated one.”
“I don’t really know. It sounds like it might be Portuguese or Spanish or a combination and some words I cannot tell. I am fluent in both a little bit, but there are some deviations in what he is saying. I also studied Latin a little bit but forgot most of it. James, I don’t know….”
The man continued to speak his voice and tone charismatic and deep, crinkly and monotone, as if many were speaking through him.
“We meditate to become one with the Gods.” Alexa said continuing to translate.
“What language is that?” Tina asked.
“It is the language of the Gods, from long ago, the Creators.”
“They built this place?” Tina asked.
Alexa nodded slowly with a look of sincerity.
“The Pregivers of our lineage who granted the gifts to man are those we worship.” The man spoke more angrily and began to shout in the language of the Gods as Alexa translated diligently into English for the duo. Then in an agitated moment she beckoned to James and Tina. “We must go.” Alexa warned.
“What
did he say?” Asked Tina.
“There is something I must show you.” They rose and walked out.
“So where are you from?” Tina said making small talk. “It’s just that you don’t seem to be from around here, for the most part.”
“I was born in a distant land. The Awondel found me when I was of age thirteen years.”
“That explains why you are not like the others here.” James added.
“They never treated me like anything other than one of their own. They are my people. They are my family.”
“Who are the Awondel?” Asked Tina.
“They are the lost tribe of the Pregivers, the left behind children of the Gods and guardians of their greatest treasure.” Alexa spoke with reverence and sophistication.
“What is that?” Tina asked.
Alexa remained silent and led them into a crevice that led to the exterior of the dome, which they soon found out was a cave.
“And the old man?” Asked Tina.
“He must be left alone to meditate… come” said Alexa.
James and Tina were surprised to see that this structure was partially submerged in a cave and the tribe could access it. Alexa picked up and lit a torch with a lighter.
“Where did you get that?” Asked James.
“We got from traders in the nearby market village as I represent the tribe in gathering supplies and goods as well as many things.” Alexa replied.
“What’s this?” Tina asked with wonder in her eyes and curiosity in her heart as Alexa’s torch illuminated the cave walls and there were a series of pictorial diagrams, arches, figures, and symbols painted on them.
“The story we tell. It is forbidden for outsiders to know but you are different. Our Chief wants you to know.”
“Why?” Asked James.
“He sees you as one who can help us, as one who … is the one we wait for.”
“James, check this out.” Tina said. “These are cave drawings, ancient cave drawings. I studied cryptography and ancient studies, a little bit, specifically interpretation. This looks like a very old form of writing, maybe something before cuneiform, which people believe is the oldest known form of writing.”
“Wow, you’re amazing, Tina.” Said James. “What does it say?”
“Well, I don’t know exactly as I never finished my studies remember? And also this, like the spoken dialect of the tribe, seems to be deviated so much but I think I can take a crack at and guesstimate at the verbal translation of the writing anyway. Hmm.”
“Well…” asked James.
“No clue” said Tina. She saw the disappointment on James face and laughed. “Just kidding. I couldn’t resist teasing you.”
“That’s cute” he smirked.
“OK, I think it’s a story. It roughly says that ‘There once was a group of beings, sky wanderers, from a distant star who travelled far and brought gifts of great power. They could vanish without a trace, bring fire and matter from nothing, raise the dead, and communicate with spirits.”
“Like aliens, ET or ghost busters type stuff?” Asked James.
“That is a good guestimate.” Replied Alexa. “The ancestors tell of the Pregivers who came from heaven to save us.” Stated Alexa.
“Wow” gasped James.
“Indeed” replied Tina. She pointed to the diagram on the wall. There were detailed drawings and images of figurines descending to a ball of water, bursts coming from them, and lines depicting energy waves in various directions. “They were searching for … something… the key to immortality I think. It says ‘time’s door’.”
“’Time’s door’?” James asked.
“I am trying hard, James.”
“Sorry, go on.”
“Uh, there was an experiment of some kind and then a … war maybe or struggle as a dark … individual tried to take it, the source of the experiment, a dark foe who was once an ally, there is say of a great fall and destruction …” said Tina breaking up in her words.
“What kind of fall?” Asked James.
“I don’t know but there have been many fallen empires and lands of ancient cultures in our history and myth, like the lost continent of Atlantis for one.” Said Tina.
“You are making a very good guesstimate,” added Alexa.
“Thanks.” Said Tina.
“The tribal story has been passed down from generation to generation for countless times and we have always maintained its secrets.” Alexa added. “The relics of the past were in a remote land… a large island of great size and strength.”
“A continent?” Asked Tina.
“Con-tin-ent…” said Alexa. “There was a great ground quake, wind storms, and light flashes and everything crumbled to dust. Only a few survivors left in boat. The relic was vanished …some believe causing its greater empire that preceded the old worlds to vanish. This story was passed down from generation to generation. The legend of the drowning… con-tin-ent.”
“That’s the legend of the lost continent of Atlantis, James.” Said Tina. “No one knows what really happened to it.”
“The relics journeyed across cultures to rest in cave here.” Continued Alexa. “This ancient legend is real and focused on the Pregivers and their treasure they sought to protect and perfect above all costs to ensure the continuance of their great power society. The item is a key for one who has knowledge within of the greatness of their treasure and who can unleash it. We have held it for generations until that day. Our Chief saw you and believes wholeheartedly that you are the one.” Alexa looks at James.
“Why me?” James Asked.
“Yeah, why him? No offense James,” Tina whispered.
“None took buddy.” Said ‘James. “Though that fortune teller Ezelzaba implied I was special and that Native American woman I saw in the street.”
“What woman?” asked Tina.
“I will show you something very important now.” Said Alexa. “Come with me.”
Alexa took them back to the large hut to face the Chief again. James and Tina thought about the story of the tribe written on the walls and wondered how many generations ago were they drawn and how this tribe had sacrificed so much, being here isolated from the rest of the world never progressing. And but for Alexa being the liaison to the local markets they would have no contact to the outside world whatsoever. They wondered what could make a people so devoted to await one who may never come and how the story of the great fall or destruction depicted on the walls was something that really happened.
“Could it be myth, reality, history, destiny, or all of the above?” Tina wondered to herself.
The Chief spoke in his native tongue, as they knelt before him and Alexa translated. “He shows you the relic of the Pregivers, the artifact of great treasure and immense power they kept here for generations upon generations.” She spoke as the Chief uncovered an item in front of him covered in cloth. He removed the cloth revealing a five inches long object, tubular with a small pentagonal shaped item connecting to it and surrounded by clay molded into its shape hardened over a very long time. The article had strings of colorful cloth straggled around it. It was unlike anything Tina or James had ever seen and was the obvious work of some group far more advanced than the tribe, as strange markings seemed to be layered onto the tube or engraved with some machinery. The clay surroundings and straggling cloth, James figured, were done by the tribe to decorate the sacred object but the true core and origins remained mysterious to James, only as Alexa put it, he figured it had to be the work of a higher or supreme intelligence, a God. He noticed the shape and design were similar to that held by the Native American woman he saw on the streets of Chronix Bay and who quickly vanished thereafter.
“May the spirituals be with you… what could that mean.”
And in the middle of the awe inspiring object and glistening in the bright lights of the hut from the dome above, James saw the symbol of five orbs in harmonious unity.
“That is amazing,” James said, “but what does it h
ave to do with me.”
The Chief looked at him and beckoned to him to come closer and as James did slowly, with the Chief’s free hand he lowered James’ shirt collar and revealed a birth mark even James forgot he had, a birth mark of five orbs in circular unity. Tina looked at it and dropped her jaw in shock and that the Chief recognized it when he first saw James and neither of them saw it before.
“That is one hell of a coincidence.” Tina yelled.
“It is not a coincidence,” beckoned Alexa. “We have been waiting for the Holder of Stones, the cornerstone of the Pregivers’ mighty heavenly empire, to arrive for quite some time, all our lives and that of our forefathers and their forefathers for countless generations. Now you are here to claim your treasure and fulfill your destiny which is also the destiny of the entire world.” They all looked at him making him feel like he was caught cheating on a school exam again.
CHAPTER 36
Outside in the clearing by the bushes, James and Tina sat, as James held the device he was given by the Chief. He felt bad taking it but as he was told, they possessed it for generations waiting for his arrival.
“You know what this means, don’t you?” Tina uttered with her arms crossed over her legs.
“What?” Asked James.
“You have powers and you used them during our escape from the wolf creature beast things. Alexa must have saw that and fingered you as the one they call the holder because it jives with their religion. It also means it was no accident or random fluke that made us travel to this part of the world. All our lives and experiences could have been preordained just to get us here or you anyway. I don’t know what I’m doing here.” She sunk down to the ground feeling depressed.
“To watch my back. I wouldn’t have been able to do half the things you did since we reconnected, including read those wall paintings. You got a lot of talent, brains … and beauty.”
“Thanks.” She blushed. “I think you are going to be great, James. I see good things ahead for us. I know we already made a great team so far and will be a great team for a long time.” Tina said and the duo smiled at one another.
The Time Stone Page 11
