The Prophecy of Atlantis

Anna

  Julian's face is as white as a ghost. "Anna? This man is your father?" I nod.

"I'm so sorry, Julian! I never knew that he was an historian..." My heart is in my throat. "I'm so sorry!" My apology is as useless as a pen without ink.

   Another part of my life had been revealed to be a lie: my parents had always led me to believe he was a doctor. He had always been a loving and gentle father. All those late nights that I'd believed he was helping others, he'd actually been capturing adventurers like Julian. Why wouldn't my mother have warned me about this? Why did she hide this from me for twenty-two years? My parents are strangers. The only person in my life I do know is Julian.

   Dad grabs my arm with such force that I cry out. Julian's eyes flash in anger and lashes out at my father, but Dad easily knocks him to the ground.

"Stay away from that boy, Anna! I'm not going tell you again. And if you come here even one more time, I won't be afraid to come for you too- even if you are my daughter!"

"Julian!" I shout out for my only friend, trying to grab his hand as he reaches for mine. Our hands touch for just a moment before I'm being pulled away again.

    I'm crying when my dad pushes me out of Julian's prison and back into the hallway of the castle. I try to go back in to save Julian, but I'm blocked out. I scream in anguish and pound on the walls in frustration. I storm back to my room where I find my mom sitting on my bed.

"Anna, we need to talk."

    My lips curl back in disgust. "About the fact you never told me dad is an historian? That he's had my only friend locked in that prison for six years? I know, Mom. I know that you've lied to me my whole life!"

   Mom's face pales. "I'm sorry, Anna. I didn't tell you because you'd be in danger too if you knew. And now that you know the truth, there's something very important I need to tell you-"

"I don't want to hear it!" I shout. "Get out! I'm leaving!" I turn to go, but Mom steps in my way before I can escape.

"Annabelle Grace Meyer, you will listen to me! Sit down! Now!"

   I'm so upset that I'm shaking. "What could you possibly have to say to me after all that?"

 "What if I told you there's a way we can get you and Julian out of here? I can take you both somewhere where you'll both be safe."

    It wasn't what I'd originally planned, but knowing that there could be a future with Julian in it changed everything.

"I'm listening."

   Before Mom explained the plan, she told me about Dad. He had never revealed his cruel side to her until a few months ago. She had found him beating Julian in the dungeons. When Dad saw her, he shouted curses at her to get out. She was too afraid of what he would do to us if she did anything at that moment, so she ran out and began working on a plan to get Julian and I out. She would have to remain here to continue her work. My mom had been trained in elemental magic all of her life. Tonight Mom mastered creating a portal in the castle that lead to the realm where she learned everything: The Illusion Reach. Even with her years of training, it took her time to perfect it. She informed me that she had already sent a letter to her mentor, Mark Evans, and he was anticipating mine and Julian's arrival. From there he would train us the same way he trained Mom, as well as the same defense magic she had learned throughout the years. Julian had been right: I'd had a way out of this life all along. This was a whole new world I'd never known about.

    My heart sinks as I think about all that she's sacrificing for us to get to safety. I tried to convince her to come, but she was too determined to continue her work to be persuaded otherwise. "Besides," she'd said drily, "someone has to man the fort."

    We sat together huddled in my room, discussing what we were about to do. We waited until we were sure it was safe, then ventured out and went to rescue Julian.

     We stood before the passageway to Julian as Mom built up her magic. She created a ball of electricity in her palm that grew bigger as she expanded it in her mind. Mom gave me the signal to step away right before she sent a bolt of lightning that cracked the wall's foundation straight down the center.

     I gaped at her. "After all these years, I never knew my mom was a badass!" Mom and I exchanged grins as we rushed in to rescue Julian. We quickly explained what was going on, much to his bemusement. When we tried to pick him up, he winced. I gingerly lifted his shirt and saw that his stomach was badly bruised. I drew in a sharp breath and glanced at Mom, who was the perfect picture of calm. She lets out a two-tone whistle and a fiery bird appeared out nowhere and lands on her shoulder. She gestures to Julian's injury and the bird's eyes shine with ethereal intelligence. I sit watching in fascination as he tilts his head to release its tears onto Julian's injury which instantly heals him.

"A phoenix!" I couldn't tear my eyes away from the creature. "I always thought they were myths."

  Mom gave me a knowing look. "Everything in the legends and myths are real. How could it not in our world?"

   A few minutes later, we arrive at the portal. Mom is practically pushing us toward it. I turn to face her, frowning. "But what about you? What will happen to you?"

"Don't worry about me, baby. Just get yourself and Julian to safety. I'll take it from here." She smiled in that classic reassuring way that all moms save only for their children.

   I hug her tightly. "I'm so sorry I doubted you. I love you, Mom. Thank you for everything."

    She squeezes me back. "Anything for you, sweetie. I love you, too. Take care of each other. Remember to keep your hands linked as you go through the portal.

"It's time for you to go. Mark is waiting." I try to read Mom's expression, but whatever she's feeling is so well masked that there's no way to tell. Julian takes his hand in mine. And in a flash of light, we're traveling through the portal.

     We arrive at The Illusion Reach. We're surrounded by lush nature all around. Exotic flowers, trees and everything in between. There's a building that appears to be an abandoned warehouse, at odds with the beautiful scenery adjoining it. A man stands waiting at the door. He smiles at us, his laugh lines pronounced with age. His eyes are kind as he greets us.

"I'm Mark Evans. Welcome home."