They called themselves Lemurians but they weren’t the Original Lemurians. Once slaves themselves,
they had arrived in Lemuria as refugees, desperate and disillusioned from the
Breeding Programs, Gold Exploitations and War agendas of the Atlan Empire.
Vikkar was an Origian prototype, as were several of his younger siblings. He had
the dark skin of Baalas, one of the Ancient Anunnaki gods of the past. Vikkar was highly talented,
gifted with geomantic senses, he could pinpoint energy sources and mineral compounds deep within
the earth. Given that his tribe provided all the mining needs of the Atlan Empire, his was a discontinued model.
But they were all family here and the separation was an illusion. Once a Firmary god, always a
Firmary god, and because he would not comply, or die, Vikkar had been the
subject of endless damnation and lies, spread by the tabloids of the Atlan
Empire, none of which could be investigated because almost no one dared step foot on Lemuria.
The reason Vikkar wouldn’t comply or die, and the reason his siblings were so afraid was simple. Vikkar was in possession of the elusive Sword of Lightning, the ancient Solarian
Weapon of Energy that gave his natural talents the Supernatural boost he needed to dominate his industry, the only physical
defence they had against the archonic Anunnaki gods controlling the land. It was because of this supernatural power, Vikkar, once the god of Rock had been re-named the god of
Lightning.
The southern coast of Lemuria was also home to the Nefilim
race, the hard working and friendly giant slaves whom had fled the confines of
a walled city along with the Origians. They worked willingly for Vikkar’s
mining business, he brought them steady work and treated them well, better than
Atalon had treated them.
From the plateau of Kergal, the world looked beautiful, in
spite of the Atlan Empire, polluting the sky in the distance. Vikkar could see
nothing but a promising future spread out before him, the empirical islands of
Falias, Gorias and Finias layered in the mist were much more relaxing to behold
from afar, from afar they were beautiful.
He had seen Torus's ship arrive in the harbor below; his wasn't the only vessel headed this way. He waited until Torus made his way up
the final stretch of the path before pointing it out. "Look Torus! You’ve been followed!"
Torus stopped to study the dot in the water, narrowing
his focus on the sails, Vikkar was right, it was headed their way. Like
Vikkar, Torus was an Origian prototype, a more modern Anunnaki god. He was taller than
Vikkar, his skin was dark too but of a much rustier tone. He had exotic
features unlike any of the others; flaxen auburn hair and complimentary
chartreuse eyes that looked more green than yellow in the sun. Intelligent and still
young, Torus was god of the Underworld for no reason other than the fact he was
a cave dweller; he didn't like the sun. He took care of the business
operations, regular trips to Kergal were part of his day’s work. Torus was one
of the brightest gods in the Firmary, an avid reader and for Vikkar, a fellow
rebel and a breath of fresh air. In spite of his lowly title, Torus liked his
Underworld position, it gave him a chance to leave the walled city too.
"Orius!" He concluded, spotting the markings on
the sail.
"Orius?"
Vikkar could see the sail now. "I wonder what he wants…"
The ship was gaining speed as it headed out onto the open
water, it was heading their way with seeming urgency.
"Stay here" Vikkar ordered. "I'll go find
out."
Vikkar hurried down the path to the harbor at the foot of
Mount Kergal. By the time he arrived the ship was almost at the docks. They
were right, it was Orius who had arrived unannounced.
"Vikkar!" Orius welcomed his brother with an
outstretched hand, friendship was always the best ice breaker. "How nice
to see you!"
"What do you want this time?" Vikkar was skeptical, he eyed the vessel, searching.
As Orius found himself relaying the information to another,
it seemed an even more unlikely story. "Atalon needs your help."
"Atalon needs my
help?" Vikkar frowned, eyeing him with growing suspicion, this special
visit reeked of some cunning Firmary agenda.
"Yes, I know, it's hard to believe, isn't it?"
Orius could sympathize, his reaction was completely understandable.
"A little." Vikkar replied.
"This is real" Orius stood tall. "Atalon has
a genuine problem and you may be able to help. I've seen it for myself."
"What real problem?"
"Some of the aribu have fallen ill with an unusual
illness and it's spreading fast."
Vikkar didn't like the sound of it at all. "What
illness?"
"Doctor Seton says it's a Mental Illness, he's
convinced the Lunies have some psychologic drugs that can help."
"Psychotropic drugs."
"Yes. He's desperate to find a cure... He was…"
Vikkar was struggling. "What do you mean, mental illness?"
"They're malfunctioning" Orius informed. "Mentally. He
was wondering if you had any knowledge of their plants."
"Malfunctioning?"
Vikkar knew Orius was just a puppet but he was meddling with Lunies now, he
wasn’t going to fall for a scam. "Seton wants Knowledge of their plants?"
"That’s right."
"Right…" Vikkar chuckled, amused. "What does
he really want? Why not just invite
me to the next meeting? Why not ask Torus to ask me? Why did he send you all
the way here when Torus could pick some wildflowers for you?"
Orius glanced up the slope towards Kergal, he could see
Torus looking down on them from the plateau. He hesitated, rewording his pitch,
realizing he probably didn't know everything there was to know about this new
project.
"It's sudden... Seton just wants information, he needs
to study the plants before he can make a case for more financing."
"Ahhh…" The lightbulb went on "Follow
the gold…" It was a good theory but Vikkar knew there had to be more to
the story... "What do you mean by malfunctioning?"
"They break down" Orius replied. "They get
lost."
"Ahhh... Yes... They get lost..." The more Vikkar thought about it
the more it sounded like perhaps it could be true. Who wouldn't be mentally ill
living in Atlan? To Vikkar it was amazing any of the citizens stayed mentally
healthy. Gradually a picture began to emerge. "Let me guess. Seton wants
to try the plants but doesn't want to let anyone know that he's changed his
mind about them?" Amused, he shook his head knowingly. "And
Atalon approved?"
"You have to admit it's a step in the right direction"
Orius offered. "Perhaps he's beginning to open his mind?"
Vikkar wasn't going to waste any opportunities for negotiation. "I want Vida back."
Orius knew this would be good leverage for Vikkar.
"I will see what I can arrange."
"Lunie farm's a day's ride from here." Vikkar
advised. "You'll have to pack your own food, bring your own horses."
Orius scanned the mountain ranges before them. It would be a
risky ride, even with Vikkar guiding them.
"Halios
and Halki will be joining us, I hope you won't mind?"
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