Terra Incognita Book one: The Abyss

  Chapter Seventeen

  Their small wooden boat crashed against the waves as it cut through the water on its way toward the shores of Atlantis. Behind them drifted the large war vessel that had carried them to this point. Its triumphant sails flapped against the strong prevailing winds, causing a slight sway in its bow.

  Ben held on to the side of the boat as the oarsmen fought against the large pulsating waves. The small vessel was packed full of reptilian soldiers that looked to be as young as Ben. With a growing sense of nostalgia, he thought about the time he spent as a kid on the open water with his father, but that did nothing to stop the approaching seasickness. He wondered if the knot in his stomach was caused by the dread of what was to come, or if it was in fact just a case of motion sickness. Donovan sat beside him, stoic, looking ahead as if he was ready for the coming chaos. Behind them sat Miles, who was digging through his packs.

  “What are you looking for?” Ben asked.

  Miles looked up and smiled at him as he pulled up his pipe and snapped his fingers to ignite it. Puffs of smoke rose up as the mage sat there and lounged, unaffected by the sickness that was tearing Ben apart.

  “I don’t see how you do it,” Ben said.

  “Do what?” Miles said, flashing a slight grin.

  “Live with yourself. How do you go on without it affecting you?” Ben asked.

  “You will learn to do what it takes to live, and maybe even prevail,” Miles replied with the same grin.

  Ben looked away and faced the grim reality of their predicament. There, stretched out across the sea, were thousands of boats, just like the one they were in, all rowing for the approaching shore. The ground troops were all readying themselves with the weapons and tools of war. Most were already in their armor, but a few were still suiting up.

  Ben jumped when he heard a loud booming sound off in the distance. In the sky, coming towards the Lemurians, was a large ball of burning liquid. It hit the water with a splash and spread out to the surrounding boats it hadn’t hit on the way down. Men doused with flame screamed and jumped into the water, causing a massive rush of steam to rise. The sound came again, and more boats went up in flames a few moments later. Within seconds, the area was dense with a foul-smelling cloud.

  “We have to get out of here!” Ben yelled. Miles had already jumped into action. He took his dagger and stabbed the stubborn pilot in the gut and then dumped him overboard. Using the rudder to steer the small craft off its original course, Miles did what he could to save them. The rest of the oarsmen turned to see what was causing this sudden change in trajectory, but did nothing to stop his mutiny. Afraid for their own lives, the oarsmen continued rowing, taking them away from the burning carnage behind them as more balls of fire rained down.

  Donovan sat, unmoved by the intense scene of madness on the water around them. Instead of reacting, he stared out into nothingness, as if lost in a dream.

  The screams of pain turned into a deafening howl that rang in their ears. All around them, the Lemurians were trying their best to stay the course and make it to the shoreline. At one point a ball of fiery death came close to connecting with their position, but the oarsmen did their job and pulled them to safety. In the temporary lull that followed, Ben threw up over the side. He had just witnessed the slaughter of hundreds of men, and more were coming in behind them. Before long that number would triple, carrying the death toll into the thousands.

  A large number of the small rowboats had taken their lead and decided to try a new course of action. All around them were soldiers, veering toward a new destination where death wasn’t so imminent. The tide of wooden boats headed for a beach that was just within view of their position.

  “Any idea where we are headed?” Ben asked Miles.

  “That way,” he said, pointing forward.

  Ben sat with his chest against the side, looking down into the blue depths below. Beneath them moved a large unrecognizable shadow. Ben turned to look at Miles with great concern. The mage had already seen the shadow, and in their native tongue, he yelled at the oarsmen with all the air his lungs could hold. With a puzzled look on his face, Ben sat there questioning the meaning of the words until the boat started to move faster. It was then that he realized Miles was just as worried as he was, and he got scared all over again. Within the space of a breath, their vessel was picked up and thrown into the air.

  As the boat crashed down, most of the men found themselves floating in the water. The three companions were fortunate enough to still be sitting on the hard wood when it landed. Four of the paddlers were still in the boat with them, and instead of rowing to land, they lent their oars out to their fallen brothers, pulling them back in. At that moment, one of the men was pulled under the waves, replaced by a bloody cloud. The sheer terror in the men’s faces was very apparent and Ben wondered if they knew what was beneath them.

  The boat moved faster now despite the loss of most of the oarsmen. The determination of the few that were left was astonishing. Ben, Miles, and Donovan all helped row them closer to safety as people were pulled under all around them. It wasn’t until they were within a stone’s throw of the sandy beach that the mysterious creature beneath them bombarded their own vehicle. As Ben sank into the water, he opened his eyes in panic and saw the shadowy form of the beast. Its body was like a massive shark, but its face was that of a squid with short tentacles that it used to pull things into its mouth. There was blood all around as Ben fought to reach the surface. The last thing he saw, before cresting the water’s top was a man riding on its back with a long trident-like spear in his hand. People were being sucked under all around as he swam with what little might he had left.

  With screams ripping through his ears, Ben finally felt the murky sand beneath his feet. The beach was still a few feet away, but the grainy ground between his toes made him feel a little better. Miles and Donovan had already reached the shore, and Ben looked up just in time to see Miles pointing behind him and yelling. With a short glance over his shoulder, Ben saw that the creature was following him. The large, monstrous being exploded out of the water with a thunderous howl causing sea water to rain down on Ben as he tried to escape. The solid dry land of the beach was just a few more feet away as he scrambled to escape an appalling fate.

  Miles and Donovan ran to the water line and pulled him out just as the man on the back of the beast starting hurling tridents in their direction. One landed in such a way that it pinned Ben’s leg between the tines, causing no harm. Miles dropped the panicking boy, and began to summon up a spell as Donovan stood helpless and afraid. Another terrifying howl tore through their resolve, just as Miles let off a long arc of lightning into the beast’s screeching mouth. The Atlantean soldier was thrown from its back, and the creature smoked as it sank down into the water. Its blood pooled at the surface, creating a massive red cloud in the clear blue of the ocean.

  Ben sat there for a moment, gasping as his lungs decided if they were going to explode or not. With one good jerk, Donovan pulled the weapon from the sand, releasing Ben from its binding grasp. With his leg now free, Ben just fell back onto the sand and stared up into the sky. He could still hear the sounds of war in the distance, but none of that mattered as he closed his eyes and dulled it all out.

  What seemed like seconds later, Ben opened his eyes to find Miles taking the lives of the only Lemurians that made it to shore. They must have been as exhausted as he was, because they didn’t move or fight back as Miles put the dagger to their throats. There were fifteen different crimson stains on the sand, each one as helpless as the last. Was this right? Was this the only way to be safe and protected? Ben noticed that Donovan just watched, unflinching, without judgment. Was this what he was to become? There were too many questions and not enough time to sort them out. He had been told that there was only one way home—the four items. Right now, that was his only mission, and all of his effort and strength was going into it. There wasn’t time for moral dilemmas or overbearing tho
ughts; he needed to get up and take that first step toward his destination.

  Miles at last sheathed his dagger. “It’s time to get up, Ben,” he said, reaching down to lend him a hand. Without meaning to, Ben stood up without the help of his friend. It wasn’t out of spite or anger, but rather the need to feel strong and independent. The journey had taught him a lot about the dangers of weakness.

  “I’ve got it,” he said. Miles took his hand back, showing no signs of offense.

  “We’ve got to head inland. Once we get to a place where we no longer have to worry about the Lemurians, we will reverse our charms and resume our true visages. After that, we will head toward the temple. If we are careful, we should be able to reach it within a couple hours,” Miles said, taking the authoritative stance. Ben and Donovan didn’t mind, as neither one wanted the responsibility. As they picked up their belongings and got ready to depart, Ben noticed that the water hadn’t damaged the book at all. The pages were dry, as though the tome had never been submerged. Having been convinced that his only map in this adventure had been ruined, Ben smiled and slung it over his shoulder, wearing the straps like a backpack once again.

  The humid tropical climate drew unwanted bugs to their necks and ears, pestering them with each step. The heat was unbearable and for a moment, Ben wished he was back in the water again, but those thoughts were dispelled the second he remembered what lurked there. The tiny beasts flying around them were nothing compared to the large ones in the sea.

  Growing all around was dense foliage that they had to wade through and cut just to move forward. They could hear the sounds of strange animals in the jungle as they hiked. Ben didn’t know what to think as they passed a giant snake dangling from a limb, or when they saw a herd of elephants grazing on large plants. The sights were quite amazing, all the way to the ruins where they stopped for their first break. More tired than he realized, Ben plopped down next to a deteriorated statue. Donovan did the same, resting across from him.

  “That’s Poseidon,” Miles said, nodding toward the statue. After digging around in his knapsack, he pulled out a canteen and took a deep drink from it. Ben did the same and then passed it on to Donovan. “He was once the god of this island, but something happened and his people turned their thoughts away from him. From the stories I’ve read, it’s because he turned his back on them first by not offering them the bounty they felt they deserved.”

  “Maybe he was just trying to teach them a lesson,” Donovan said, handing the canteen back to its owner.

  “That’s one theory. Either way, it doesn’t matter because they found their comfort in another’s bosom,” Miles said before taking another drink

  Ben spoke up. “I always read that this place sank beneath the sea because Poseidon was tired of their debauchery.”

  “That obviously didn’t happen; otherwise, we couldn’t be here right now,” Miles retorted. The heat was getting to them all, causing their temperatures, both literal and figurative, to rise. Ben decided to disregard his apparent annoyance by changing the subject.

  “Why did you come here?” Ben asked.

  “I already told you,” Miles responded.

  “No, you told us that you wanted our company. So, tell me, what’s your stake in this?” Ben asked.

  It was obvious that Miles felt cornered by this question. The secure shell of secrecy and ambiguity was already starting to come apart the more he trusted his new friends. As if he realized that it was time to pull the veil from their eyes, he answered.

  “I’m working to become a member the Esoteric Order of Leng. One of the final steps before initiation is creating a potion from specific ingredients. Each initiate is sent on a sojourn to the outside world, where we travel and search for these ingredients. Along the way, we are supposed to study the tenets of the order and find ways to relate each to our lives. This is supposed to be a transformative journey that brings us back to our home a different person; a member of the order, ready to learn and grow.”

  “That sounds rehearsed,” Donovan said.

  “Trust me, it is,” Miles replied.

  “How long have you been on this sojourn?” Ben questioned.

  “Too long to be proud,” Miles said.

  “What happened?” Ben asked, but saw that Miles had no interest in talking about it any longer. The three of them sat there in silence for a while, none willing the rehash the topic at hand. After a few hours, Miles got up and replaced the items in the sack he wore on his back. The other two stood up, following his example, and they were on their way again. The coarse leaves brushed up against their faces as they pushed on forward through the dense vegetation. All the while, they hiked on, trying their best to keep a forward momentum. The island itself was massive, much larger than any of them had thought based on that first glimpse in the rowboat. Ben noticed that they kept moving toward the mountain peak that loomed over the canopy, looking down on them like the ominous visage of a mighty emperor.

  Ben finally came to a point where walking was no longer an option. Right as he opened his mouth to voice his opinion, Miles signaled for them to be quiet. The mage got down on his knees, hiding amongst the brush, and motioned for them to look forward. There, emerging from the mouth of a craggy cave, was a group of soldiers, escorting a regal-looking man in a long cape. This had to be the king, based on the crown that he wore, but Ben wasn’t interested in him. Right beside the king was a young, beautiful girl about his age. Her hair was short, cut just above the shoulders, and it was dark blonde. The smoothness of her face appealed to him, drawing in his gaze, compelling him to drink up every feature until they disappeared into the wilderness.

  “I think we should use that cave,” Miles said, keeping his voice down.

  “Are you crazy? Did you see all those men come out of there?” Ben replied.

  “I’m with Ben on this one. It just seems too risky, especially considering the way we look right now,” Donovan said, pointing out the fact that the Lemurian illusion was still going strong. Miles took one good look at them and then rummaged through his sack. After a few seconds, he produced a few small bottles of liquid and an empty glass vial.

  “I stole this,” he said with a slight grin. The tone of his voice was like a fishing line, looking to hook the approval of his companions.

  “Is that what you meant when you said you were in trouble too?” Ben asked.

  “Yeah, bastard caught me and I had to bolt out of there before he could take my hand, or worse,” Miles said.

  “Why would you steal? Isn’t there something inherently wrong with that?” Donovan asked, meriting an eye roll from Miles.

  “Look, it isn’t as black and white as that. Granted, I didn’t need to steal, but not all crimes are wrong. Sometimes eating and taking care of your own is more important than following the rules of right and wrong.” As he said this, Ben couldn’t help but realize that he agreed. Following the rules had never been his strong suit. He’d spent a good portion of his short life getting into trouble with his parents and, on occasion, at school. He had never been one to listen to instruction or take anything too seriously.

  “I don’t think your idea of right and wrong should be so flexible,” Donovan retorted. Ben could tell that the death of the Lemurian soldier was still weighing him down, but he wasn’t sure how to console him. For all intents and purposes, it was Ben’s fault that he was put in that situation to start with. The boy found himself becoming distant with the one person he had grown to trust. With Miles there acting as a plausible role model, it was hard to hold the responsibility of another in his hands. He didn’t want the guilt anymore, but he couldn’t turn his back on a friend, no matter how new.

  Miles finished mixing the potions together and handed each of them a vial. They each drank the contents without any need for an explanation; Miles had made it clear with his actions that the potion was for undoing the illusion. All three of them were hit in the gut by a strange feeling, causing the sensation of nausea a
nd vertigo. Within just a few seconds, the effects had worn off, and they all stood there as though it hadn’t happened in the first place.

  “Okay, we can go…” Miles started to say, but suddenly pulled the other two down. Pointing into the distance, he made Ben and Donovan aware of the recent addition to the area. A platoon of Lemurian soldiers hiked toward the very spot they were standing. Ben felt his heartbeat take off as his skin tightened and became hot. The flesh of his forehead and palms were beginning to perspire as he tried to stay calm. Panic wasn’t an option, but he wasn’t sure he could contain himself.

  Miles reached for his dagger, signaling Ben to do the same. Donovan, lost in the moment, wasn’t paying attention as the unspoken command was given. They lay there, waiting for the right moment to strike, when something unexpected happened. Another Lemurian in the group came running up, barking orders. All of them but two turned around and started off in the direction they had come.

  The last two Lemurians kept a steady pace toward the hidden group. Right as they were about to step on Ben, Miles gave the signal by jumping up and forcing his dagger into the belly of one of the men. The sheer force of the attack jutted his weapon and hand deep into the wound, causing a guttural expulsion of sound from the dying Lemurian. Ben did the same to the other man, but knocked him down as he attacked and missed his mark. Ben stood over him, his sword ready for the kill. Looking his opponent in the eyes, he stared into the very depths of fear and anguish. Ben was frozen as Miles ordered him to take the Lemurians life. The sound of Miles’s voice was far off, as Ben was pulled into that moment and lost in thought. When the distant words finally hit him, he reared back, ready to plunge, when Donovan grabbed his arm.

  “Don’t!” he screamed. “It isn’t right; this isn’t the way it has to be.”

  Ben snapped out of the haze he was in, shaking it off. There, on the ground, was a reptilian man who was wracked with fear, preparing for the inevitable death that was coming.

  “Trust me, Ben; it has to be this way. They wouldn’t hesitate to kill you, so why should you?” Miles asked.

  “You don’t have to trust him, trust in yourself. You know this isn’t right. I’m sure you can feel it,” Donovan said.

  “I trust you both,” Ben said, not sure what else to say.

  “Why him? What has he taught you besides killing?” Donovan asked.

  “Why me? Why do you trust him, ‘Donovan’?! Ben is the one who pulled you back from death and destroyed your precious Eden. You think you can trust anyone, Adam?” Miles said.

  The power of his words took a few moments to really sink in. Ben and Donovan stared at one another, lost in what Miles had said, trying to absorb it, process it, before allowing the emotions to come. Ben was the first to succumb. His face sunk and his sadness at his actions overtook him.

  “Donovan, I’m sorry…”

  “What…do you mean?” Donovan asked as the truth passed behind his eyes.

  “I’m so sorry, but I didn’t know how to tell you,” Ben said, taking a step closer.

  “How could you? You are the cause of all my pain. I trusted you, and only you and all this time it was you who did this to me,” he said. After taking a few steps, Donovan fell to his knees under the weight of this news. All strength had left him, as he tried to choke back disgust and hatred. “I was home…I could feel it.”

  “I’m so sorry…” Ben said, leaving the Lemurian in an attempt to comfort his friend. The sadness of this revelation hit him as well, and he wanted nothing more than to correct his own mistake.

  “Get away from me!” Donovan said with nothing but animosity in his voice. “Don’t you dare touch me! You have done nothing but soil me with your disgusting touch.”

  Ben stepped away and then turned to Miles, whose face was a portrait of smug indignation.

  “How could you?” Ben asked.

  “Someone had to tell him sooner or later. I couldn’t stand to keep such a secret any longer,” Miles said.

  Donovan, catching his words, flashed a glance at the mage. Ben curled up his fist, causing his knuckles to turn white. Without a second thought he struck Miles in the face and was rearing back to strike again when Donovan tackled him.

  “Get off him. It’s not his fault, it’s yours!” Donovan said with nothing but contempt burning in his eyes.

  Ben, fighting for release, looked up into Donovan’s face and realized that any feelings of friendship they may have had were now gone. Realizing the futility of his actions, he went limp against the ground, giving up.

  After a few seconds of deep thought, Donovan released his grip on Ben and got up. He pointed toward the Lemurian, who was now getting away, and said, “I think we should get going.”