Assault on Atlantis

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Taki felt a spasm of pain pass down the middle of his skull. It was so intense that at first he thought he’d been struck in the head and he brought his hand up, expecting to see it covered in blood. But his skin was intact. The pain was inside.

He blinked. Trying to clear his head. and the pain abated, but he couldn’t see clearly. This had happened before. He sank to his knees and closed his eyes. He cleared his mind using the discipline of the samurai training.

He saw what he needed to do. His heart swelled with pride. It was a great honor to be entrusted with such a thing. He glanced over at Earhart, who was sleeping not far away. He knew if he woke her, she would argue with him. She would want to take his place or have him use one of the two suits they had. But he knew she could not take his place, and he knew she needed the extra suit. They had waited a long time at the Inner Sea for someone to come through, then reluctantly returned to camp. One of the problems with the visions they had from the Ones Before was that the timing of events was rarely locked down. Someone would come, of that Taki had no doubt. But when was more of the question.

He quietly walked over and picked up the metal case holding the skulls. Then he left the camp, making his way to the Inner Sea. When he arrived, he was not surprised to see Rachel leap out of the water and land with a splash. Taki couldn’t miss her, and he turned to the right, walking down to the shoreline. Following her as she led him. Until she halted.

He held the case holding the rest of the crystal skulls in both hands as he walked into the slimy water of the Inner Sea. When the water reached his chest, he paused as Rachel raced about him, cutting a tight circle in the water. He held the case above the water. His lips were moving as he repeated the prayer his mother had taught him, the one that helped a small child be brave when it was dark and the wind howled outside.

His skin tingled and his hair stood upright. The air in front of him flickered, and then suddenly, a black column four feet wide appeared. Taki didn’t hesitate. He moved forward into the portal.