ATLANTIS AGE OF RAGNAROK

by C M SHORT

  “That would be an incredible dig, my friend”!

  “One thing appears to be a fact: your coins are related to Egyptian history. Most likely, the answers are buried in Egypt.”

  “The jewel box and my trident have Egyptian writing on them, and considering the coins have images of a pyramid and sphinx, I think we should begin our search in Cairo, and the Giza plateau.”

  “Good idea, pretty girl! And what do you think of selling that coin, to Sola?”

  “He was a very helpful, and nice man! I'd like to sell it to him”!

  “So would I! We'll go see him tomorrow, and tell him the good news”!

  A startling noise pulled the protector out to the balcony, to investigate; momentarily, he returned with a brief explanation.

  “I think we heard an animal: a lot of animals come out at night, in Paris”!

  “Night! No wonder my spots are hungry! Where'd the time go?”

  “Guess we were having so much fun talking, we lost track of time, Emerald Eyes”!

  “Emerald Eyes-that's a cute nickname”!

  “Thanks! You’re invited to stay, and have dinner with us.”

  Mouth-watering steak and shrimp dinners, candlelight, and a favorite wine, made for a joyful feast. Spicing up the meal, was exhilarating talk of ancient civilizations, and a trip to Egypt.

  “You know, boys, it's still hard to believe what we found under the Louvre”!

  “It is pretty amazing-that you guys happened upon all that! What a coincidence! The odds are astronomical”!

  No sooner had he finished talking, than a quake prompted a desperate grab for wine glasses.

  “Hold on, boys! This one's getting stronger”!

  Feeling it subside a minute later, brought relief, but the hired gun was still concerned.

  “Jean-Leuc, did you see that”?

  “I did! How incredible”!

  “What was”?

  “Love-during the quake-your trident was glowing”!

  “Really! I wonder what caused it”!

  A few more hours of talk, and they drifted to the news.

  “Breaking news for you tonight! As you are surely aware of by now, there have been abnormal numbers of earthquakes, hurricanes, and other disasters recently. Earth's leading scientists are trying to agree on the cause, and are tossing around ideas that range from Global Warming, to a Global Crust Shift, and, at this point-are willing to consider all theories!

  In light of the planet wide problems, leaders of the world have made a decision: until things settle down-air flight should be discontinued! In four days, all air traffic will be suspended around the world, for an indefinite period of time! We'll keep you posted, as new information comes in. Please stay tuned to this…hold on…something’s happening! We're having another quake! Can you feel that?”

  A snowy screen, abruptly cut off the news.

  “I saw my trident glowing this time! Did you see that?”

  “Sorry, babe, this time I didn't; I was focused, on what the newscaster was saying.”

  “I saw it, and I wish we had a way to know if it’s causing the disasters-or picking up on them”!

  Her reply, was undeniable logic.

  “For the crystal to do either of those things-it must be of a technology far beyond anything Earth has right now”!

  “Surely, you're right, pretty face, but is that civilization friendly”?

  “Well,” she replied, “my gut feeling, is that a highly-advanced civilization will have learned peaceful ways, and desire to help others-not hurt them”!

  “Spoken with great wisdom, love, and I agree”!

  “I agree, too, and perhaps we can find that civilization and get help for Earth! Looking in Cairo is a good bet, and we should leave as soon as possible”!

  “First thing in the morning, I’ll arrange a flight. Come by about nine, my new friend, and I’ll fix us a mouth-watering breakfast.”

  “Sounds good! See you then”!

  Alone again, wine glasses were refilled, and the night was polished off with dreamy talk of Egypt.

  Early morning found them busy on the phone, arranging a private flight to Cairo. Once that was taken care of, they relaxed with Cappuccino and waited for their new friend to show up-which didn’t take long.

  Soon, three sets of hungry taste buds were enjoying the mouth-watering breakfast of fluffy buttermilk pancakes, scrambled eggs with ham, and cinnamon Cappuccino-all made by Chef Jean-Leuc, who also made an important announcement.

  “We booked a private jet to Cairo.”

  “When do we leave”?

  “Tomorrow afternoon, at four. Here's the information.”

  He briefly eyed the paper and laid it on the breakfast bar, for a return to Cappuccino.

  “Good news! Also, this is a tasty breakfast! Thanks”!

  “You’re welcome, Guns”!

  “I like that, and it’s one I’ve been called before-along with digger, the watcher, and many others”!

  “Appropriate nicknames-as mine are-like Spots, and Emerald Eyes”!

  After the tasty breakfast, the first thing to do was visit Sola and his most enthusiastic greeting.

  “Welcome! My friends, welcome! Did you decide to sell me the coin? Sir, I hope you say yes!”

  “Yes”!

  “Wonderful! Hoping you'd say that, I got the money ready for you”!

  In a swirl of anticipation, shaky hands hurried to pull a briefcase from under the counter.

  “It's in big bills, so it's easy to count! I can't wait, to tell Patch about this! He won’t see my new purchase for a day or two though: he called in sick this morning.”

  After a trusting glance at the money, a transfer of the coin sparked new light to Sola’s eyes.

  “Ah! So amazing! I will be the envy of everyone! Thank you so much for selling it to me! If you ever decide to sell any more, please come see me”!

  Along with promises to keep Sola in mind, and hand shaking-came a blessing.

  “Long life and happiness to all of you! Please come again, anytime”!

  The emerald beauty was the first one through the hotel room door, and almost tripped over a couch cushion! Shocked eyes stared, at the furniture and personal belongings-that were scattered from one end of the place to the other-like a hurricane had went through!

  “It's been ransacked! Who on Earth would do such a thing?” she said, with eyes glaring.

  “A common thief was hoping to get lucky! I'd feel better if I could stay here and sleep on the couch: to be on guard”!

  The suggestion was warmly received, and the place was made somewhat presentable as Rafael rounded up his things; in no time, he was knocking on their door again.

  “You travel light, my new friend”!

  “It is a bother to carry a lot of bags; all I really need, is one. You two straightened up pretty good!”

  “We tried to hurry, but it’s not done.”

  “That's ok, Angel. I wish I’d been here to catch the thief!”

  “Lucky for us, the box and coins are locked up in the hotel safe; we planned, on taking them to her bank today.”

  A little more straightening up, led into a busy afternoon: a deposit at the bank vault, and purchases of Egyptian currency and other things needed for the trip. For dinner, Guns insisted on room service: so the place could be under professional surveillance.

  Safe behind a shield of protection, an entertaining night was allowed to unfold and create special magic. Pizza and house wine accentuated the swapping of adventure stories, until midnight, when the over-powering pull of satin sheets enticed them to call it a day, and slide into slumbering bliss.

  CHAPTER 5

  LEGENDS

  40,000 feet revealed a magical landscape, clothed by the comforting warmth of the brilliant summer sun. Drinking deeply of the forever horizon, and snow-white puffs drifting far below, their souls were refreshed with a sense of wellbeing as they jetted toward a mysterious land full of long forgotten secrets-just w
aiting-to be uncovered.

  Having always had a fascination with planes and flying, it didn’t take the watcher long to show his enthusiasm.

  “Think I'll go hang out with the pilot”!

  “Muscles, I can’t wait to be inside the ancient wonders”!

  “Same here! I've always wanted to see those and never got around to it-not sure why.”

  Snuggling up, the emerald beauty closed her eyes and imagined romantic, starry nights-in the mystical, Egyptian desert.

  Blindsided, and hit hard-the next thing she was aware of-was being on the floor!

  “You ok, baby”?

  A knot of remembrance churned in his stomach, as he took her hand.

  “I…I think so. What's going on?”

  “We're in a lightning storm; it came up all of a sudden, and I didn’t have time to grab you”!

  “That’s ok.”

  “Hold on back there! It's getting bumpy!” the pilot called.

  Seconds later, it happened: a collision with terror, after it darted through the sky scorching fire and slammed into the plane!

  Looking out a window was a searing mistake, and a slap in the face with the unholy vision-that their reality had vanished and been replaced by-the depths of hell itself! Among the raging fire, reared a bone-chilling sight that brought them to the point of panic; what their eyes saw was impossible: mythical demons from the past-fire breathing dragons! Just feet from the plane, an ancient evil stretched its massive demonic jaws wide, and a split second later, a deadly fireball slammed into the window and covered it with a suffocating layer of black dust.

  No longer able to see out that window or any others close by, was a small relief. Another hit, and that relief went up in smoke, as the deathly sound of metal tearing began to rip their sanity to shreds! Painful heartbeats joined a feeling of helplessness, as the long hook of fate-sliced into the plane!

  “That's a claw!” he yelled.

  She only had time to scream once, before the mind-numbing certainty of impending doom froze her with fear.

  A loud hissing of escaping air-vital cabin pressure-was luck, going from bad, to worse; the mythical demon was peeling the plane open like a banana, and there was no way to stop it!

  Within a split second, the frigid, blood-chilling eyes of death spotted its prey and pushed in for the kill: preparing to strike-from a life ending two feet away! Mammoth blood-stained jaws became an abyss of primal hunger, as 12-inch saliva dripping fangs-anticipated-a juicy meal!

  Looking into deaths door, a fighting spirit gave rise to a knight in shining armor-a knight determined to protect his lady love.

  “We’ll find a way out of this”!

  A desperate search for a weapon, resulted, in a failure to protect and a plummeting heart-as the end closed in. With lightning speed, he was crunched in the mighty, life draining jaws of despair; nothing was going to save them now! Like a nearly empty Pandora’s box, hope remained: of life-after death.

  Right on cue, the rescuing wings of destiny flew in, and a split second later-the hell born horror disappeared straight backward: seemingly, yanked by its tail! Afraid to dare hope it wouldn't come back, they stared out the hole-all breathing stopped-and then, a sickening feeling emerged: of being in a hopeless, uncontrollable spin!

  “We're going to die”!

  Hugging her tight, he closed his eyes and wondered if she was right-while the plunge continued with dizzying speed-toward the dreams end.

  In a dream, anything can happen, and that also proved to be true for this demon filled reality. Against all logic, the plane slowed its deadly spin into uncharted depths-then stopped-hovering perfectly still in midair. All signs of the dragon storm were gone, replaced, by a miracle: a sparkling ribbon of bright-purple light flowed like warm honey along the torn edges of metal-sealing the pieces back together! Running to a window unveiled a mind-boggling sight: a sight-born of dreams!

  A pulsing, bright-purple beam of light in the shape of a hand-was connecting to the plane! Suddenly, it vanished, as though it had waited to be seen!

  “Feel that, baby? We’re moving again, and it feels like the speed we were at before any of this happened!”

  “You two ok back there?” the pilot nervously called.

  “We’re fine”!

  Their immediate answer, could not outpace the approach of running feet.

  “Did you guys see all that”?

  “We did, and I can't believe what we saw! Bout scared my spots-right off of me”!

  “The view from the nose of the plane-was unbelievable! Apparently, we entered the twilight zone-of another dimension”!

  “You know, I dreamed this! Pretty eyes, that day in the taxi-this was the bad dream I had”!

  The rest of the flight was spent discussing the possibilities, which hastened the touching down onto a private airstrip near Cairo. After stopping, the pilot hurried back to talk to them.

  “I don't know what happened up there, but I'm glad you’re ok”!

  “Did you take a shortcut through another dimension?” Muscles asked.

  “Perhaps I did! That was totally unexplainable, and beyond frightening”!

  Underscoring the nightmare, pretty eyes of green showed a look that matched a shaky voice.

  “I pray you never go there again”!

  “You were incredible flying the plane! Thank you!” Rafael said, with his thanks instantly echoed.

  “Enjoy your stay in Cairo, and be careful! These days, you never know what's going to happen”!

  Stepping from the plane, the blast of stifling desert heat was a shock, after the mostly steady air conditioning. A waiting taxi showed them a scenic route to the Inter Continental Cairo Semiramis-a luxurious hotel in downtown Cairo-famous for treating people like royalty.

  The splendor of pampered life welcomed them all the way into lavish accommodations, and their things were set down, among the finest of silks and furnishings: rich enough-to satisfy a pharaoh!

  “Tall, dark, and handsome! Check out this balcony view”!

  “What a view of the Nile”!

  “I knew you’d be impressed! And, lucky for us, we are only a five-minute walk to the famous Midan El Tahrir Square, and the Egyptian museum”!

  Within a few minutes their protector showed up, and suggested trying some local cuisine. Walking along the edge of Tahrir Square, the unknown land of mystique grabbed them by the most cunning of fingers: fingers of culinary delight! Sneaking up from between restaurants and shops-drifted a most heavenly scent-enticing them down a side street in almost a trance, to a restaurant patio.

  Displayed within a circle of picnic style tables full of happy customers, was an irresistible centerpiece: tempting flat rounds of bread, on the brick shelf of an enormous stone oven. The man tending the bread, smiled, and graciously offered samples. With delighted taste buds, their growing appetites led them inside, where an artful pyramid and sphinx décor cleverly blended with elegant wood and glass tables. Adding the perfect finishing touch, was the welcoming fragrance of baking bread.

  Menus were waiting for them on a stylish window table, but looking at one-was a bit confusing for eyes of emerald.

  “With so many dishes to choose from, how do we know which ones to try”?

  “Perhaps I can help, ma’am?” suggested a waiter.

  “This is our first time in Egypt, and we have no idea what to try!” she said.

  “Many of our dishes take some getting used to, but we have a wide assortment that most foreigners really like! I could make a suggestion?”

  The offer was met with a grateful round of yes.

  “We have a three-course meal, that starts with grilled Pigeon stuffed with seasoned rice; the grilled Pigeon is a national delicacy! The next course is a combination cheese platter of Gibna-which is similar to Feta cheese, and Gibna Rumy-a sharp, hard, pale-yellow cheese. The third course, is Wara Enab-boiled grape leaves, that are curled around small amounts of spiced rice and ground beef. For dessert, you would pr
obably like our Baklava, which is baked layers of Phyllo dough, honey, and hazelnuts. With all of our meals, we serve a pita type of whole wheat bread, that we call Aysh Baladi.”

  The suggestion was a big hit and the waiter took off with their order, returning promptly, with three bottles of spring water.

  Being in Egypt, held boundless magic for them and sparked eager talk of things to explore. Thankfully, their memories glazed over the mythical nightmare.

  “This is going to be a special trip, boys! I think the first thing we should do tomorrow, is look up information at a library. After that, I could go for browsing the shops along Tahrir Square. More thoughts?”

  “I'd like to visit the Egyptian museum”!

  “Spoken like a true Archeologist! And me-the Great Pyramid and Sphinx tours are a must”!

  “I hope we find out the story behind the coins, and my trident! Boy, that’s a yummy sight to see”!

  She pointed to the back of the restaurant, where a man was taking bread out of a stone oven. Within moments, another wonderful sight came into view: their food.

  “Here you are! If there's anything else you want, I’ll be happy to get it for you”!

  The relaxing time took a turn for the worse, when the floor and table began to shake.

  “Don't worry, friends, the mini-quake won’t last long”!

  The waiter was able to smooth frayed nerves, before walking to the man at the bread oven.

  “The smell of baking bread…that’s strange-I just saw him do that”!

  “Pretty one”?

  “The waiter-twice in a row, he walked away from our table and to the man at the bread oven”!

  “Maybe, he had to come back to a table close to ours, and then went back to the oven,” Rafael suggested.

  “Yes, that must be it,” she replied, curious of how he’d moved so fast.

  Taking them by surprise, was how mouthwatering the meal tasted, and every little morsel from the kitchen of heaven was savored! After dinner, and picking up two bottles of wine from one of the hotel’s restaurants, the new friend was invited for drinks.

  The balcony was perfect-for breathing in the richness of Egyptian culture; fascinated, to be in such a timelessly wondrous place, imaginations ran wild about the adventures and discoveries that lay in wait for them!