The Secret Sea - (Chaptered Version)

28

After breakfast, we leave the cave. The gale-force wind has been replaced by a gentle breeze. I take a moment to admire the sun rising behind Mount Ontake. The haze steadily burns away, unveiling a lush green forest in the valley far below. After a lengthy hike, I spy a dilapidated, ash covered shrine on the other side of the crater. "Is that where we're heading?" I ask Jesus.

"Yeah. After a series of volcanic eruptions, the few monks who maintained this hidden shrine stopped coming. There's a much nicer temple at the foot of the mountain that draws a lot of attention, but this place, not so much. Frankly, it's a miracle it hasn't been destroyed...I'm just speaking metaphorically, of course."

"Why would you stay here, of all places?" asks Eve, as we continue trekking the circumference of the crater.

"Everywhere I wander, the state of the world seems dire," says Jesus. "Humanity has done a real number on the planet--and itself. I needed peace, and I found it here."

"Must get lonely," I say.

"Nah, I have Karakasa-Obake and other mountain spirits to keep me company."

"And provide plenty of tongue sausage," I add.

"Truthfully, I still take a trip to Las Vegas from time to time," says Jesus. "Casinos generate some pretty intense prayers."

Eve shakes her head. "Jesus in Sin City."

Jesus laughs. "Although I am diminished, I still help people when I can. The damage humanity renders upon itself can be truly discouraging, but I enjoy a good challenge."

"So, that's why you want this reset to happen?" I ask. "Because humanity keeps fucking things up?"

"Blas Feem," says VarnLiqn.

"More than that, they're marching toward mutually-assured destruction. There are thousands of nuclear weapons hidden on every continent. It's only a matter of time before someone uses them." Jesus pauses to shake a pebble out of his sandal. "So much for skipping Revelation...humans seem compelled to jump-start Armageddon with or without me."

I swallow hard. "Right." I tend to ignore that an apocalypse is always at our doorstep. "So, writing on this scroll will reset the world. Are we sure that's a good thing?

"It will all make sense in time," says Eve, obfuscating.

"Once your secret phrase restores balance to the planet, there will be an everlasting peace," adds Jesus.

"No pressure," I groan. "Jesus, you're way more qualified for this job than I am."

Jesus shakes his head. "Tim, you're the planet's savior now--not me."

I'm desperate to change the subject. "Looks like we're here...I wish I could say the place looks nice." The shrine consists of blackened stone under a layer of hardened volcanic ash. It leans to one side and looks liable to collapse at any moment.

Jesus opens the door for us. "It's nicer on the inside."

"Wow," marvels Eve as we walk through the blackened door. The interior is pristine, with a gleaming hardwood floor and intricate Buddhist tapestries covering each wall. A few simple pieces of furniture are sprinkled around--a bedroll, a chabudai, and some cabinets. A 50-inch LCD television resting in front of a leather easy chair sticks out like a sore thumb. A gaming laptop balances on one of the chair's cushy arms. An unseen generator is humming.

Jesus sees me staring. "Even I'm tempted by creature comforts. Solitude is fine, but there's some great stuff that's streaming—I'm a bit addicted. My Wi-Fi password for the satellite internet is 'alphaandomega' if you need it."

"Thanks," I say. "So, what's next?"

"Well, since you already have my blood, I figured I'd send you on your way to meet Danica, the Fourth Antecedent. After lunch that is."

"Please tell me we're not eating more monster parts," says Eve, turning green.

VarnLiqn jumps up and down excitedly. "More tunnng!"

"Actually, I was thinking peanut butter sandwiches. Anyone allergic?"