NationStates Jolt Archive

Professor Arik Lavin, a lone archeologist from a distant university was traversing the caverns of a remote island. It was dark here, even the light from his torch was consumed by the pitch blackness of the surroundings. Not to mention that their was always the danger of Zorenaatek attacks, a native and predatory beast that made its habitat in places deprived of the benefits of light.

According to the native and primitive population, the Xathars; within the caves lay the remains of an ancient civilisation's high temple; a place where eons ago, the primitive Xathars would make their tributes and recieve instructions from the Xath Masters; their gods. However, many thousands of years ago, the Xath Master's supposedly vanished when fire rained from the sky and rained terrible havoc and devastation upon the island. Many died, the ancient secrets and technology forgotten and the Caverns were collapsed with only a few remote entrances remaining; secret ones that even the natives did not know of.

And it was here that he was, the first sentient in millennia.

He brushed aside the cobwebs, ducked when the ceiling grew low.
A gust of air breathed against his face; a voice or many voices yonder called to him, he knew not of what to make of it.

"Come." The voice whispered, repeating in enigmatic echoes of varying tones.

He was cautious, but proceeded deeper into the cavern...

Lavin made his way through the mirky tunnels, moisture clouded the root tangled floor. The air was close, even closer than the humid jungle he had started from. The tunnel twisted left and right, meandering through the mountain.

Then it ended. The rock before him blocked any kind of advance forward.

This cannot be it. He thought.

All that hiking through the jungle, all those days picking off the mosquito's that landed on his skin, and for what! He was most definitely annoyed.

Then he spotted something, partially covered by wet dirt and dead plant remains. A series of markings carved in the rock.

He ran his fingers through the marking, removing the mud and dirt. The surface felt smooth like polished jewels.

As he finished removing the mud and dirt, the writing glowed.
The rocks before him parted.....

Lavin proceeded between the rocks that previously had blocked him. He entered a large chamber, gloomy and dark, much like most of what he had seen so far. He could however make out that this was no cavern for there were blatant architectual patterns in the rooms structure and shape. He was fascinated.

"At last, I am here." He said, mostly to himself; a need to accept the reality of his situation.

He looked upward and saw no ceiling

How high was this place? He thought.

What was visible however were a series of five purple-blue lights that were moving around the room like tadpoles swimming in a pond.

A voice boomed at him, deep and melodious.
"Yes, you are here, my new friend. Welcome."

Another voice, feminine and powerful also spoke.
"He is handsome, I suggest you take him, Siridor. Then I can one day have you as I will."

Lavin heard another three voices, all laughing, mocking him; one feminine, two masculine.

The first voice, spoke in reply to the second. This time it sounded more sinister and sly.
"Oh how I would enjoy that, think of what we could do to and for each other. I accept, my wife. I will return with bodies for you all, I will browse his mind for candidates."

Then very suddenly, one of the lights changed course and bulleted at him. His attempt to dodge seemed slow and ponderous in comparison to the light's speed. It penetrated him in the chest.

Lavin fell to the ground, on conscious, where his body lay for a few hours.....