Just beneath the surface

The course charted part 2

They pushed onwards into the woods. Though the marines were left behind, it didn't mean that they were defenseless. Though they were sailors, it didn't mean Fernando didn't train them for a muzzle to muzzle g*n confrontation.

"So, where is the spring located?" Fernando asked.

"It's further inland, and on the way there we'll have to cross bogs and creeks", Jahmil replied. Fernando then recalled his dream, and realised that the ease of the journey in his dream was just a false bliss, compared to the reality they were about to face.

Back at the river, Randall and the others decided to burn the treants for firewood.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" A sailor asked.

"It's fine, it's just a bunch of twigs and branches, what could be the harm?" Randal said, as he set the wood ablaze. After a few minutes, the ash from the wood began to swirl about.

"Sir what's happening?" A sailor asked.

"Don't ask me!" Randall replied, as he signalled the others to arm themselves. Out of the swirling cloud of ash, the treant's body was reborn.

"You have my deepest gratitude, humans", the treant said.

"Fire!" Randall shouted.

They let loose a volley of musket balls at the treant, but all they did was poke holes into the wood. Out of the holes grew spikes, dripping with poison.

"Oh so that's where Jahmil got the spike on his shoulder", Randall said. Suddenly a ray of light pierced through the treant's body, and bounced back at a mirror in the distance, hitting the treant again.

"Was that mirror there before?" A sailor asked.

Mirrors appeared out of thin air, sending a flurry of light beams at the treant, breaking its body into pieces.

"Don't burn a treant's body unless you want to revive it", a voice said. The crew looked behind them and saw an old man holding a mirror. Suddenly the floating mirrors around the treant disappeared.

"You lot be tter be careful of yourselves, what are you doing this deep in the forest anyways?" The old man asked.

"Uh, we're looking for something, I heard it's a poison from a flower", A sailor replied. Randall nudged The sailor and told him not to give any more information about the quest.

"Oh, you mean the chorus flower?" The old man asked.

The crew remained silent, because though they wanted to ask how the old man knew about it, they couldn't risk letting out any more crucial information.

"How do I know you ask?" The old man asked.

The crew's eyes widened, and looked behind them. There was a mirror floating in thin air, just like the ones earlier.

"This is the mirror of truth, it shows me your thoughts. Anyways, I warn you. If you are going to raise Atlantis it is at a massive cost", the old man said.

"What are you talking about", Randall asked.

"I know you are looking for the chorus flower poison because it is one of the ingredients to fully decipher the map to Atlantis, but I warn you that altering the course of nature is just as dangerous as eating a war. The trinity books are the key to raising Atlantis, you know that very well, what you do not know is what lies IN Atlantis.

"Treasure? Riches? Gold? What stems out of these? Ask yourselves these questions then decide your course of action once you find the answer", the old man said, as he washed the mirror he was holding with the water from the river.

"How do you know all these?" Randall asked.

"In time, we will meet again. Only if your answer is wrong will I come to clean it up. I had tried to prevent this in the past, but it seemed futile. I see the trinity books aren't here, so it seems that there's nothing I can do", the old man replied. A mirror the size of a man appeared out of thin air, and the old man walked through it, and disappeared.

"Make sure you remember what we just saw", Randall said.

If bogs and creeks weren't the hardest part yet, what could be? Fernando asked. Vines hung from every tree, and each step had to be taken with utmost precaution, as one wrong step into a bog could stir trouble to the entire crew.

"Is it much further?" Andres asked.

"We're close. Once we exit this cre-" Jahmil replied, then stopped mid sentence. He signalled everyone to be on high alert, and paced faster.

"We need to get out of this creek before they catch up to us", Jahmil said.

"They?" Fernando asked.

"The animals I spoke of", Jahmil replied.

He could sense them all around the place, and we're closing in on them fast. He was sure it was no coincidence. Snakes, cats, lizards, and poisonous frogs, they don't naturally come together in groups. There was surely something at work. Just as they made it into the clearing, Jaguars jumped out of the bushes and roared at them, eyes steadily glaring deep into the souls of the men. The crew backed off, but to their rear, snakes struck with their heads like spears with the speed of a bolt of lightning. The crew took up arms, and Jahmil unsheathed his blade. The crew huddled together, and pushed each other from both sides. Suddenly the animals whimpered, and became frightened all of the sudden.

"Hah! Don't want to fight steel and guns don't you!" A sailor mocked.

A massive serpentine creature emerged from the ground and roared. It's scales were made of jade, and it's underside shone like true silver. It had a draconic head, lined with sharp, dagger-like teeth arranged in a neat position. Both the sailors and the animals froze at the sight of the massive beast, and not long after the animals ran and fled.

"What could get any worse?" Pedro asked.

Jahmil made the blade grow larger and brandished it with the intent to kill.

"Calm down, all of you. You too Hyperion", a voice said.

"You! How did you come here?" Fernando asked.

"Hm, I'm impressed you made it this far", the hooded man said.

"There was something I forgot to discuss with you back at the chichen itza, which I will once we obtain the chorus flower poison", he continued.

"Did you... did you tame that beast?" Fernando asked.

"Oh yes, he's a pet of mine, I had to hide him back at the chichen itza to keep a low profile, but you all seem to be in a pinch right now", the hooded man replied.

Jahmil and Fernando exchanged glances, as the serpent was a vivid reminder of the nightmare they had before they set out on the voyage.

"Well, we could have taken care of it you know", Pedro said.

"Even if you do manage to wound them, or kill them, you would still be on the same edge of the blade. The chorus flower poison inside the animals' body will leak, and kill you all", the hooded man replied.

"To defend the forest, the chorus flower releases clouds of poisonous pollen of different kinds, each in the same purpose of repelling intruders. One can suffocate, giving one the urge to enter his own demise. One can give the urge to be lenient to the dangers, giving way for a false perception of a dream world. The one in those creatures has the power to possess a being, given that the being shared the same standpoint as the flower. It's a fickle thing you know, to think that the mana radiating around the poison could be compatible to your blood Jahmil", he continued.

"Just how long have you been trailing us?" Jahmil asked.

"Ever since you returned from the Quezian world perhaps", The hooded man replied

"We better get moving, there's not much time left", he continued.

"He knew about everything? Just who is he?" Jahmil asked himself. He sensed how the hooded man had a ridiculous amount of mana, but what frightened him more was the serpent, which had twice as much mana as the hooded man already had. It felt like a suffocating cloud of miasma. The very aura it released brought chills to Jahmil's spine. It had shiny scales, but not exactly the same color as the one he believed to have seen back when they sailed through a storm to Campeche. As they walked towards the spring, the serpent trailed behind them, scaring off the animals in their way.

"The sword of Atlanteon, one of the ancient relics that served as weapons for the late king's royal guard. It's mercury blade can change into any shape or size according to how the mana in it is moved, while maintaining its original mass, where did you find it?" The hooded man asked.

"An old man gave it to me when I was on my way to the chichen itza in exchange for food", Andres replied.

The hooded man stopped.

"Did that old man carry anything specific of some sort?" He asked.

"Yeah, he carried a mirror wherever he went", Andres replied.

"That old man is a hindrance to our goal, do not listen to anything he says", he hooded man said.

"What do you mean?" Jahmil asked.

"He is also in search for the treasure in Atlantis, but with his magic, the books are not necessary. The mirror he brings with him everywhere is one of the relics I spoke of earlier. That mirror sees all. In other words, he can read your books even though he isn't the chosen one. He will try everything to keep you from continuing the quest", the hooded man said.

"We're here", Fernando said. He easily recognised the location, as it actually looked exactly like the one in his dream.

"Great let's head in there", a sailor said. Suddenly he bumped something in thin air. His body began to grow pale, then purple. He screamed in agony and pain, and died shortly after.

"This is the last line of defence of the chorus flower", the hooded man said. Glyphs began to appear, shielding the spring in a sphere shaped barrier.

"The poison glyph barrier", he continued.

"Why couldn't I sense it?" Jahmil asked.

"It hides its mana until something comes in contact with it, I myself couldn't sense it" the hooded man replied.

"What now?" Andres asked.

Jahmil began to notice something with the barrier. He then tried to reach for one of the symbols.

"Don't!" Fernando shouted.

"i***t!" Andres exclaimed.

"You have some nerve calling me an i***t", Jahmil said.

"H-how are you not poisoned?" Fernando asked.

"Some of the symbols have poison, while some don't", Jahmil replied. He then remembered something.

"Andres, the page, the one where there was a drawing of this place!" He exclaimed.

"H-how could I have forgotten", Andres said, as he took the book out.

"Its arrangement is wrong", he said.

"Alright, show me", Jahmil said. He then began arranging the symbols in order, slowly but surely, as on wrong touch could spell him death.

"You knew about this didn't you?" Jahmil asked the hooded man.

"I can't see the symbols in the book, how could I?" The hooded man replied.

Jahmil recited an enchantment, and slowly the symbols forming a doorway began to disappear.

"I have doubts about this whole thing", Jahmil said.

"What do you mean?" Fernando asked.

"We have altered the course of nature too far", Jahmil replied.

"Don't worry, this doorway can be closed back", The hooded man said.

In the middle of the spring, was a stone pillar, and on top of it was a large flower. Fernando then borrowed the emerald on eiverngoule, and inserted it into the hole on the base of the pillar.

"How did YOU know that?" The hooded man asked.

"I had a dream, somehow it works the same way", Fernando replied.

A door then opened up in the rock, and when they opened it, inside were cells filled with spores.

"Bring more than required, as the poison of binding, which is inside those cells, could be used to heal any sickness", the hooded man said.

"You've done uite the research on the matter at hand, but why help us to this extent?" Fernando asked.

"It's a coincidence that our goals are rather aligned. My goal is to raise my homeland and gather back the clans that have been scattered across the globe. But, I can't do it alone, so I need you three to do the groundwork", the hooded man replied.

"You're from Atlantis?" Jahmil asked.

"I descend from the clan of Kyore, the northernmost clan. Our clan has the ability to absorb the knowledge and memories of any individual we touch, only once the ability is activated though, which is why I know all these. ", the hooded man replied.

"No wonder you could do magic, you can control mana too", Jahmil said.

"So, what were you going to discuss with us?" Fernando asked.

"Oh yes. Now, there are some things I missed to tell you. My memories of these are rather hazy. First, the lava i told you to seek is not just any lava. You will have to sail to Asia, then head to Mount Everest", the hooded man said.

"Who would dare venture that far? War brews in every corner of that frost bitten mountain", Fernando said.

"What's above is what's cold, but the lava you seek is below", the hooded man replied. "Beneath That mountain is a labyrinth that was once a mine of another kingdom that was one with the mana. The kingdom was destroyed by its own creation, a golem that scourged its enemies with heat greater than any flame. I suggest going there last, as the risk is quite high", he continued.

"A whole kingdom was wiped out by that golem?" Jahmil asked.

"That golem also has a stone army at its disposal, but to seek the lava, you must reach the bottom. The sacred lava was used to forge Atlantean weapons such as the sword Jahmil carries" the hooded man replied.

"To add to the burden, there's a fourth ingredient. Eons ato the creator made a medium to supply water to the seas and oceans it had built, so he made a core that emitted an infinite amount of water. This is now called the mother pearl. If it was found, the ocean's water supply would dwindle at a massive rate. To keep it from happening, the mother Pearl made millions of duplicates, and hid in clams. Some inherited its power to create water, while some didn't. Those that have the power are called moon pearls.The final ingredient in the water that comes out directly from a moon pearl", The hooded man said.

"Why can't we just take sea water?" Jahmil asked.

"The moon pearl must be under an enchantment first, before the water essential for the solution can be extracted", the hooded man replied.

"Where do we find such pearls?" Fernando asked.

"India is where large concentrations of such pearls are found. Jahmil will locate them for you", the hooded man replied.

"Are you coming with us?" Jahmil asked.

"I still have to find the other clans, so you'll have to do these on your own. I'll play my part with perfection, I hope you do the same. Don't worry, the treasure will be yours to divide amongst us, your majesty", the hooded man replied.

"I see", Fernando said.

"Good luck, and I'll pray the golem has long been asleep", the hooded man said, and disappeared into thin air. The serpent was gone too, and everybody was relieved.

"Wait if the snake is gone, who's gonna scare those animals?" Pedro asked.

There was a brief moment of silence.

"Run for it!" Fernando shouted.

The animals came closing in, and Jahmil sensed it. He needed to hurry, but he was worried someone would exploit the chorus flower if he left the barrier open.

"Give me a minute! Everyone stay where you are and stay on guard!" Jahmil shouted. He began to rearrange the symbols into their original pattern.

"We have no time for that!" Fernando shouted.

In haste, Jahmil disarranged one symbol, and chanted the mantra of closing. The barrier activated, but the rock and the chorus flower disappeared. Now the animals were all around them. But suddenly, Jahmil noticed something. There was no longer mana inside the animals' body. Just as expected, the moment the animals were out of the chorus flower's possession, they began to fight amongst themselves. Slowly, the crew walked away, and when they were out in the clearing , they made a break for it. As they ran towards the river, they laughed, acknowledging just how challenging the quest was.

"They're here!" A marine said, waiting for the crew's return.

"Was it a success?" Randall asked.

"Indeed it was, but there's worse to go through from here on out", Fernando said.

The crew cheered as they boarded the boats, singing chants as they rowed back to sea. Jahmil looked back and reflected about the forest. He thanked it for the new found prowess he had obtained, and meditated. He closed his eyes, and let the mana swirl around him. It felt beautiful to be one with nature. As he made his way through the river, the trees greeted them by rustling in the harmony of the free wind.