UNDER THE OCEAN (Original)

Chapter Fourteen: General Sabaoth

The yellow sea horse approached the three humans and affirmed they needed to prepare for the company with the General, he was not far away. Each warrior laid a gentle finger on the three. A shock of light burned out from their fingertips clothing them instantly with gowns of dazzling colours and precious gems. Brilliant light shimmied about them all with a stunning haze. The children's faces glowed along with the gowns. However, out of everyone there, none stood as staggered and elated as Paul.

Paul blurted, “Wow! Look around, the fish! The corals!” Laughing out loud he saw the ocean full with the rays of light, explosions of colours he had never seen before. Also he had never heard the sounds, the music from the rocks and plants. “What's happening here? This is amazing!”

“What do you mean Paul?” Jasmine hadn't realised that all of the kaleidoscope they had been seeing since they come into the ocean, Paul was only just beginning to experience. Every time someone spoke: sound waves radiated out of their mouths in colours, shapes and patterns, always changing. Paul could hardly believe it.

“I thought this bleak place was just that, bleak and grey, with a sprinkling of blacks! It's not!” Paul laughed some more, which triggered a domino of laughter from everyone. The ocean shear burst and resonated delight. Once the shape shifters had removed the scales from his eyes, he was stunned: he was enjoying the true beauty that surrounded him. Oh what joy it was – joy unspeakable!

Paul was the first to notice the electric bundle of light approaching them. It traveled swiftly: the General and his entourage following close. Sarah was riding grandly upon his back; her face beaming. The party came to a halt and Sarah jumped off the General (who by this time had reduced his size to a more comfortable height for the children). She ran, babbling all about the magnificent kingdom she had been to: she was anxious to greet Sam and Jasmine. A thrilling reunion.

While the children were fussing, the warriors formed into an official line; the children and Paul (who was still in a daze,) elbowed each other into a mussed up example of the professionals. A large octopus came forward (as a crier does,) he introduced the General to the children with a huge resonate voice. “Children of the living . . . Jasmine, Sam, Sarah, and now Paul. It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you the ruler and protector of this vast domain. The great architect, the General of generals and the lord of hosts – General Sabaoth!” The octopus propelled himself next to the General right hand side. The General came forward to the group and paused; a welcome smile broke across his horsey face. He addressed Paul, his pleasure tangible.

“Paul! Welcome back to your family. I have known you long before you knew me: not to say that you have never known me. You knew me as a child but have since been distracted with matters of this life and forgotten me. I never forgot you, my dear one.” General Sabaoth continued, but now in a more solemn tone. “I watched you on the cliff face and wept. I knew what you were doing with your precious soul. Therefore, I conjured up the storm to bring these simple children to your aid. They have played their role well, but now they require your help. Time is quickly running out.” With that, the General kissed him on his forehead and blew upon him, surrounding him in a crisp, spherical bubble. The bubble floated up and away from the gathering. The children had no idea what he meant by these words.

“Remember me Paul! Remember me . . . remember me.” These were the General’s parting words to Paul as he floated away, and out of sight. Was this goodbye? The children didn't think so. Somehow, they knew they would meet him again someday.

In a kindly voice the General spoke. “Now, my little adventurers, you have been through a great deal these past few days and it is only fair that I make things a little clearer to you.

This time is not your time. You have greater things to achieve. What you have already achieved, let no man slight it. You are to go back, but do not forget where you have come from. You are of this kingdom and to it you will return one day. However, you must not delay any longer. You must return to the land, and quickly! Be kind to others. Be a light in the dark places; an example to those who have no example. You have seen for yourselves what can happen to people who have forgotten about me.” He continued with a sigh and urgency.

“The abyss will never be full but neither will my kingdom. You are welcome anytime. Welcome others too.” Deep inside, the children heard his words. Although they didn't really understand them, they heard them and they had a deeper strength within.

The General breathed on the children; just as he did for Paul and surrounded them in another bubble. They could feel their stomachs somersaulting as their bubble rushed swiftly up and away from the dazzling party below. The children floated away from the General and his entourage: the light around them slipped away and subsided into darkness. The ocean became turbulent and tossed their spherical capsule wickedly in all directions. Their bubble condensed around them as if under huge pressures. It bobbed and contorted, and in a final overwhelming twist, burst apart blasting its content away like a hand-grenade. In that instant, the children found themselves fighting for their lives among the waves that battered against them. It was dark, dreary, cold and night time. The ocean waves beat their tired, wearied bodies intensely.

Tumbling and rolling, in and out of the waves and currents, the chaos of white water and blurry noises caused the children panic, but they could do nothing: their limbs hung limp and useless. One by one something grabbed them and pulled them through the strong rips of salty water to the shore. The children did not see what it was that tugged and dragged at them. They did recognise the grit of the sand against their chilled skin. They could hear the storms intensity overhead, the clattering of stones rolling underneath them, and the ocean roaring around them. Boom! A clap of thunder, rang in their head, but they knew nothing else.

In their confusion and floppiness, they heard voices, panicked voices, fear-filled voices; some they dimly recognised. Although it was a long time in reality, it seemed like a brief moment in the children’s minds.

They heard a siren in the distance and they felt a sensation of another movement, a different motion that was smoother than the ocean, but it was just as peeked, urgent. They could feel something gliding below them while the sirens sounded in their ears. In addition, they felt like bricks were dropping onto them, shocking them into a regular rhythm. They heard someone counting, but never above four. Always, after number four their chests exploded; it was confusing.

They caught small bits of conversation, but could not make anything out clearly. One of the voices, they had heard before.

“Weeoooo . . . hhmmmmmm . . . weeoooo . . . happened . . . tsssssss.”

“Hhmmmm . . . cliff . . . weeoooo . . . caravan . . . weeooooo . . . wind . . . hhmmmmmm . . . weeoooo.” It did not make sense and was happening too fast.

The ambulances screeched around the tight sea-road corners, nearly bouncing them out of their stretchers with every rise and fall of the road through the hilly country. As quick as it had all started (it seamed,) their ride ended and they felt the warmth of blankets gently draping over them. They were tucked up into a bed for the night. It was silent and dark. The children slept.