Atlantis

The truth

I managed to get out of discussing lengthy matters with the three by visiting Amanda in her guest room of the mansion. I told her about how the legend was coming back and she offered some advice that isn't worth mentioning because none of it helped me in the years to come. What did strike me as odd was the uncanny way she compared them to a new future.

"We can win the war with their help. No unnecessary deaths and the threat of ultimate power means the gods have blessed my reign. Their existence means a new start for this world Emily!"

"They aren't tools Amanda." I said.

"Yeah but they'll help right?"

She was more focused on the war of the century than the problem of finding the last two of the five immortal creatures. "What about my help?"

"The last time you helped I ended up in here. Maybe you should sit this war out until you can handle yourself better."

I knew she was teasing but I wanted to help her.

*

How many days had it been since I entered this world? Would I live here forever or would another gate come along and take me to another world in the Void? Who was I really? I thought I could answer that last question but no matter how many times I muttered or yelled my name I couldn't convince myself that I was really just Emily. My friends had declared war on Atlantis about a month ago after Amandas full recovery. I had been sent to the Crystal Lake along with Jerry, Death, and Rahn to make it the defense line for the war that was sure to come our way.

Everyone remained oddly quiet as if finding out their past lives had brought them to think about the past all day and night. I was absolutely powerless in anything I did since the demons I once commanded left to be with their rightful lord. The best I could do was train with a wooden sword until my arms were about to fall off and set up camp at various spots to keep from being seen by discerning eyes. I was also the cook since the other three couldn't care less about what they ate everyday. Why?

It was a question I asked alot nowadays only to be reprimanded not only by the three guys but Zyra as well. The girl had come out several times trying to help me with my training yet disappeared as soon as I opened my mouth. Truly my patience grew thin and my mind was stretched to its limits. I sat down at the edge of the lake throwing pebbles across the surface trying not to think. My face looked like death warmed over and my eyes looked like those of a dead fish.

"You do not fare well child?" It was Cia the little fae that lived in the lake. Her head popped out of the water followed by the rest of her body. Sitting beside me she leaned in to get a better look at my face. "It is about the war, no?" she frowned throwing herself back on the rock. I remained silent not knowing what my thoughts were about. "Foolish if you ask me. Why not just kill the king and get it over with?"

"They say the people will not accept a ruler who does not fight for what is right. Another way to make Amanda into a Hero King." I said as spile filled the back of my throat. It all made me sick.

"Excuses." The fae said still frowning.

"That is why they sent me away. I did not agree with their ideas."

"You the girl who was daring enough to enter the King's castle, destroy his army, nd bring back three of the five originals? I would expect them to at least revere you a little." Cia said.

"Amanda wants to do this without me. It was how she was raised so I guess it cant be helped that she would wish to do everything by herself. I want her to know I support her though but I just cant get it into that thick skull of hers." I looked into the water trying to find an answer but nothing would come.

"Whatever it wasn't like I was trying to comfort you, I wanted to take a nap thats all." She did in fact fall asleep after she said that. I was by myself again or thats what I tried to convince myself. Behind me was the ever stern Death and on the more distant side was Rahn who occupied himself with making a weapon since everything else was left in the Realm.

Both sat up on the hillside but I made no mistake knowing their eyes were always on me following my every move. I was the source of their power it wouldn't do to have me disappear. The water rippled again and I expected Gladious to come out. Nothing happened. A little while later it occured again. I decided to go in and find out what it was since Cia was sleeping right along the shore. My boots sat against the rock as I waded in till I was swimming over where the water had rippled. I held my breath and dived into the clear blue water.

Suddenly I was grabbed from the side and while I struggled to break free a finger went to my lips allowing me to freely breathe in the water. The bubbles cleared and I was left face to face with Jerry who smiled like a little boy who just caught a frog. I went to speak but he only put a finger to his lips to silence me. He grabbed my hand and started pulling me along with him deeper into the darkness of the lake. I struggled to keep up with his fast pace, he must have noticed because he slowed down so I could swim beside him.

Finally he stopped as the depth we were at was beginning of the pitch blackness. Jerry turned so I could see his back and pointed to his shoulders. I reluctantly grabbed them shutting my eyes so I wouldn't feel the need to blush at this situation. The water began to move around me as the pressure made it harder to breathe even though I could take in the air of the water. Deeper and deeper we went until I could even see Jerry's head that was right in front of me. We stopped though and I was alone in the darkness. "Hold on." A voice echoed inside my head.

The moment I heard that a dazzling light filled my vision. As my eyes adjusted I could finally make out what it was that had Jerry drag me down here. It was a stone cottage under the lake. Light poured out from the windows and reflected dimly off the aquatic plant that made up the roof. I swam over to the door to find myself being guided by a hand. It pulled me in setting me down on the steps leading to the single door of the house. The water left my lungs replaced by air that I breathed in slowly so as not to choke myself.

"Go ahead and open the door. I wanted you to be the first to see it." Jerry said standing on the bottom step. I nodded and pulled the rope handle revealing the inside of this lovely cottage unfer the sea.