Chapter 63: SHARC(2/2)
“GOD DAMN! ARE WE IN FUCKING SPACE!?” Arthur shouted and looked at Lash. Lash grinned and tipped the plane forward.
They hadn't left the gravitational field of the Earth, and were still in the upper Mesosphere. Since the plane could move underwater why not in the upper area's of the sky? The Engines screamed softly as the plane moved forward and Arthur shouted... He was weightless! Mera and Arthur's hair gently floated up, and they were not entirely in their seats anymore.
“Go ahead and unbuckle, enjoy the weightless experience for a few minutes. I'll tell you when to sit back down.” Lash said with a grin. He adjusted the angle of the plane and they started to fly towards the Sahara.
Arthur didn't need anymore encouragement and unstrapped himself. Mera for once in her life was a little afraid to move. Arthur helped her out of her chair and pulled her up. This was different than being in the water. After a bit Mera began to smile but then went wide eyed and covered her mouth. She looked at the Earth below, she could see the natural curve of the planet and the vast ocean and land. Arthur spun in the air and bumped his head on the roof. He laughed and snagged his future wife's hand, they began to dance in the air around them.
Because they were up so high they made really good time traveling across the North Atlantic Ocean. They avoided a lot of useless air traffic though Lash was sure several governments freaked out as their radars picked up a unidentifiable flying object. The signal would cut in and out as the radar had a hard time picking up the magical signature. Since it was science and magic that supported the SHARC the signals only picked it up half the time. Arthur and Mera noticed that they started to bounce around the plane instead of weightless, gravity was starting to take effect.
“Alright, strap back in you two.” Lash said softly.
Unlike on normal 'planes' The pilot seat in the SHARC sat directly in the middle with no co-pilot seat. Several passenger seats sat side by side behind the main seat. However, there was a track system that could pull and move a different seat into the pilot seat if need be. Clouds started to stream by and the plane started to shudder at the new turbulence. Lash activated the shark teeth as the jaw closed several monitors appeared in front of him to simulate the open cockpit area. Several key parts of the plane compacted and stabilized, he should have done this when they flew up. But his Operator skill told him to do it now. The wings and engines folded in, they would still allow them to fly while like this.
“We just hit the western coast of Africa. I'm going to fly into the general middle of the Sahara and land.” Lash said.
“Wait? We just flew across the Atlantic in under an hour?” Arthur said in astonishment. “Fuck! How fast is this thing!” Arthur shouted.
“Its not that its fast, its that since we went up the distance changed. The higher we are up the less we have to travel. Right?” Mera asked.
“Scientifically more complicated than that. But in layman terms, yes.” Lash replied.
The plane continued to rattle and shake but it wasn't so bad that ruin would the ride. Thanks to his Operator skill the plane moved much faster with the wings folded in. While he built the SHARC there were a lot of things Lash didn't understand, but in his head he just seemed to put things in place. He didn't realize the the wings should be folded up not only for underwater traveling but while they were traveling at high air speeds. The wings should only unfold while traveling at slower speeds, landing, and taking off. They zipped over Algeria, Lash intended to land in the middle of Algeria and Libya in the middle of the vast ocean of sands. The lower they got to Earth the more time it took, Lash notified Arthur and Mera they could get up and move around now. He didn't intend to do anything crazy like he did when he first took off.
It was pitch black over the Sahara desert, as it was dawn on the other side of the world when they first left. The stars were out as there was zero light pollution from a city in the vast ocean of sands. Lash opened the SHARC's jaws and closed the holographic projections. He called Arthur and Mera over with a smile. They came over to see the view port and looked confused, he created a Temporary Pack Bond with them. Then granted them his Magical Perception through the link.
“Holy shit!” Arthur said in astonishment. When Arthur was young he had seen what the deep ocean looked like with his Atlantean eyes. He had seen a bioluminescent world of beauty and wonder, now he saw the same thing.
“Wow...” Mera was right next to Arthur as she placed her hand on Lash's shoulder.
The vast ocean of sands had thousands of spirits dancing in the air. Giant creatures of long past swam through the air with ethereal beauty, and ghost like energy. Lash's Magical Perception granted him the sight of magic, death, heaven, hell, and even the divine. There was a lot of overlap in the desert. Africa was well known for his brutal history even till this day. Hundreds of thousands of spirits wondered across the sands. They even saw traces of a vast kingdom in the distance like a giant mirage. But when ever Lash turned the plane towards the kingdom it would fade from sight. Shit. It was always on their peripheral.
The holographic map beeped at them, they had arrived at their destination. Lash instructed them to strap in, as he extended the wings. They slowed down gradually and the engines rotated up and the SHARC became a helicopter for a bit. Lash found a solid and relatively flat space to land on, they should have sunk into the sand but thanks to Essence Imbuement they settled on the top of the sand like a giant lizard or snake. Lash set the SHARC on standby as the engines went into a quiet hum, the rear hatch slowly opened. Arthur and Mera followed Lash outside. They stepped out into the desert night, the stars and moon above. They shivered as it was twenty five degree's Fahrenheit in the ocean of sands. But with the 'sight' they saw a ghost camel caravan slowly walk by. Lash knew these were just echoes or fragments of living memory. His Grave Domain tapped on his perception.
“You are welcome to go back inside. I'm not sure how long this is going to take.” Lash said as he knelt down and created a spell ritual circle in the sands by manipulating the earth.
“What are you planning, Lash?” Arthur said as he continued to watch the sky. A giant pod of ghost whales swam through the air.
“I am going to commune with Nature, or rather 'The Green' It has a long memory. We'll see what they say.” Lash said as he cleared his mind and activated Meditation.
So Lash stayed like that for a few minutes, that turned into an hour, then several hours. Mera and Arthur returned to the SHARC and made some food in the kitchen area. They closed a simple curtain between the outside and the inside that helped a lot to keep noise and the cold out. Lash slowed his breathing, cleared his mind and reached into his Grave Domain. Unburden was cast but instead of instant rush of energy it was more like a ripple in a pond. A slow pulse of energy slowly pushed out from him. The longer he stayed in his ritual circle the more the ripples grew in size and number. When the Unburden spell reached the Caravan they didn't shout, scream, or beg. They all just stopped, turned and smiled. Then faded from sight. All the while he channeled his spell he used his skill Parallel Minds to reach into Nature Domain.
'Where is the Deserter Kingdom Capital of the Ancient Atlanteans.'
Congratulations User! You've been issued a quest from 'The Green!' Your Cosmic Patron as agreed to the quest.
Objective: Travel to five specific points in the Sahara and create an oasis. Please note the area you are in is one such place.
Objective: Use your spell 'Unburden' in each area to help cleanse the land of the echoes of death.
Reward: The exact location of the Desert Kingdom.
Reward: Two Dream Points.
Reward: Nature Domain Spell; Druid Grove.
Do you accept the Quest? Yes/No?
Yes...
Lash opened his eyes as the sun began to rise. Unburden had done its job. The residual energy, fragments, and echoes were gone. Hundreds of magical spirits danced, played, and fed on the ambient energy that had been made in the aftermath. Lash stepped from this ritual circle and walked a few hundred feet from the SHARC. He instinctively knew that a few hundred feet below his feet was a underground river that traveled across the rock strata.
“Let's get to work.” Lash said with a smile as he activated his Nature Domain.
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Arthur slowly opened his eyes and looked around the small sleeping cabin. Mera was asleep next to him, she had wrapped herself around him, and used his chest and shoulder as a pillow. Damn she was incredibly sexy! Arthur freaked out at first when he was told by Mera that Lash had received an Oracle that they were suppose to get married. But he loved the very idea of marrying this woman now! He leaned over and kissed the top of her head, and Mera groaned in her sleep and slapped his face as if to press the snooze button. Arthur laughed and wiggled out from the bed. Mera snuggled into the spot he left behind and curled up. She mumbled the word 'Coffee' and Arthur laughed. He pulled on his boots, pants, and went to the door. He opened up the door and heard Mera groan as the light pierced in, Arthur ducked behind the door before a pillow hit him.
“God I love that woman!” Arthur said with a grin. He went to the small kitchen area and started a pot of coffee.
Sun had been up for a few hours or at least that is what the clock said. Arthur went to the curtain that separated the living quarters from the cargo space. Did Lash stay outside all night? He stepped through and stopped at the sight. He slowly stepped back into the living area then went and took a shower. Obviously he was not awake yet. He stepped out of the shower and had a cup of coffee. He went back to the curtain and peeked out..... Nope! He must still be asleep! He closed the curtain, grabbed a glass of coffee and brought it in for Mera.
“Babe...” Arthur said. Mera groaned then stretched out in the bed. She was completely naked of course! Mera didn't understand the need to wear cloths in bed. Arthur didn't complain.
“Coffee?” Mera asked, Arthur handed her a cup of black coffee. That is how she liked it. She sat up and sipped it. She perked right up! In more then one way as her breasts bounced a bit.
“Babe...Is Lash capable of making a forest in a few hours?” Arthur asked, as he sat down on the bed with her.
“Hmmmm...What? I. Yes. I guess. I mean he is a Druid. But I can't imagine him being able to do it in the Desert. Well he could! But it would take time....Why?” Mera said as she stopped to take a drink.
“Oh! Ok... Cause...Its a jungle out there.” Arthur said with a confused expression.
“What?” Mera asked. She slowly stood up and stretched out. Arthur grinned and brought up his arms in defense as Mera swatted at him with a pillow.
Mera stepped out into the living area wearing a robe. She went straight to the shower and washed up first. Then after a few minutes she came out with long wet red hair that cascaded down her back. She tied her robe but left it loose. She liked to tease Arthur, and was still fairly attracted to Lash. She slipped on some shoes and followed Arthur outside.
Arthur and Mera stepped off the rear hatch and walked into a massive jungle. Grass under their feet, ferns, shrubberies, and tree's off to the side. Less then a hundred feet from the SHARC was a massive pool of water. Or actually a small lake! In the center of the lake was a giant black stone obelisk. Lash was attached to the surface of the obelisk and was carving spell inscriptions into the stone. Enchanting spells into it.
“Good morning! Welcome to the Jungle! We've got fun and games!” Lash called out!
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“So! 'The Green' Will tell us the location of the Desert Kingdom if we travel to four more locations and create oasis? Is that right?” Mera asked, she sat on the white sandy beach on the oasis fresh water lake. She was back in her skin tight ocean green fish scale suit that showed off every curve she had.
“That is right! It should add a few more days to our travel. But we'll get a specific location. This is a lot better then just flying around hoping to find it.” Lash replied as he sat next to her on the beach.
“I'm not complaining! This is awesome!” Arthur said with a smile. He sat behind Mera as she used him as back rest. Arthur had his shirt off and revealed his extremely fit muscled chest and abs in the desert sun.
“Will the oasis even function if you leave?” Mera asked out of curiosity. Arthur payed attention to the answer as well. Lash pointed at the black stoned obelisk.
“I have dozens of spells inscribed on the stone. But to answer the question, a dome is extended over a the oasis anything can pass through it. But it has temperature control, along with moisture collection. That's why despite being in the Sahara its only about ninety eight degree's out here. Collects moisture, oasis has water. Plus once all the oasis are made. The Green will retake the sands.... I think.” Lash finished with his hands in the air in mock victory, though he shot himself in the metaphorical foot since he didn't actually know.
“Ok...Next question. Who is that?” Mera pointed at Dawn, Lash magical familiar as she flew around over the water.
“That's my familiar, Dawn. Didn't I introduce you at Themyscira?” Lash replied, he wasn't sure.
“Is she a...Dragon?” Mera asked softly. Lash nodded his head, yes. Mera rubber her face softly and laughed.
“Is that weird?” Arthur asked, confused about the significance of it.
“Lets just say you shouldn't tell the super-natural community that Lash as a dragon familiar.” Mera said as she kissed Arthur's cheek. He nodded in affirmative. “Thank you for trusting us, Lash.” Mera said.
Dawn flew over and wrapped around Lash's neck and returned to her necklace form. She had come out to help half way through the creation of the oasis. She had encouraged some nature spirits to come take up residence in the new jungle area. She also helped with the design and creation of the fauna. So much so that Lash obtained the power Telekinesis from her thanks to Observant Learner.
Congratulations User! You've obtained the Skill/Power, Telekinesis:The User can influence/manipulate/move/interact with objects and physical matter with their mind.
Note: Telekinesis is a root skill/power and will take a great deal of practice and experience to evolve.
Note: Several skills, powers, traits, abilities, and spells effect Telekinesis and vice versa.
Comments: Use the Force!
Mera, and Arthur went for a short swim through the lake. She missed the water. Lash started the pre flight check up. He activated the spell Immaculate and the entire SHARC cleaned itself. Arthur and Mera soon rejoined the plane, though they looked a little flushed, their hair was a mess, and Lash smelled sex in the air. He chuckled and didn't say anything as the rear hatch closed. His Operator skill continued to gain experience with every prompt he got better and better at handling the vessel. The SHARC rose into the air and tipped forward, the next location wasn't that far away.
Arthur activated an icon in the living quarter area. Immaculate was cast on Mera and himself. He smiled at the flash clean and took a seat in the entertainment area. Mera walked up behind Lash and settled next to him in the cockpit. Lash grinned at her and she smiled back a bit confused by his expression. Mera looked at Lash for a bit then looked at her self. She seem to realize why he was grinning but unlike most mundane people she wasn't embarrassed about it.
“Sex is nothing to be ashamed of.” Mera said in a sultry voice as she leaned in and gently bit his ear.
“Never said it was. Do you two plan to do that at every oasis? Should we make it a tradition?” Lash felt a shiver down his spine.
“Maybe we will!” Mera kissed his cheek then turned to join Arthur. She sashayed her hips as she moved.
So that is how they spent the next few days. They would land at the specific location that 'The Green' designated. Lash would spend six, twelve, or twenty four hours crafting an oasis, as well as using Unburden. Each time Mera and Arthur would....'consecrate' the area to break it in. On their fifth and final oasis, a pack of were-lizards, and were-snakes, showed up. They had felt the call of The Green pulling them here. Lash was half way through the creation of the oasis and helped them create a bit of a underground village they could establish. It took them an extra day to finish but no one complained. The oasis was made along with a subterranean town underground. Lash even made a satellite link up for them. Praise unto the internet! Praise be to the World Wide Web! The stone obelisk had Connectivity inscribed into it. They all did! WiFi hot spots! Lash assumed that the oasis would eventually have towns built around them. Either by mundanes or super-naturals. Maybe both! He gave the were-pack a map of the others he had made.
Congratulations User! You've finished your issued quest from The Green!
Objective: Create five oasis at the designated points. COMPLETE!
Objective: Use the Grave Domain Spell, Unburden. COMPLETE!
Reward: Obtain two DP. Obtain the Nature Domain Spell, Druid Grove.
Additional Effect: Five oasis will be pseudo Druid Groves.
Nature Domain Spell, Druid Grove: The User invokes the power of The Green to create, protect, and empower a specified place. The Grove can be as small as ten foot cube or as wide as a mile cubed. The larger it is the more magical energy is required.
Side Note: Technomancy, Synthesis recognized! Unlike other Druid Groves yours will be friendly towards tech-spirits, and synthetic-spirits of magic.
Comment: You are on the path to becoming an Arch-Druid! Or maybe something new!
For a brief moment in the oasis the spirits of nature become visible to the mundane eye. A burst of magical natural energy erupted from the ground and spread across the whole of the Sahara. For the first time in centuries! Grass began to grow across the sands! Lash had altered the very face of the planet with this quest. But effects be they positive or negative would not be known for many days to come.
They stayed one more day helping the were-pack settle into their new home. Lash 'borrowed' a satellite and viewed Northern Africa from orbit. The five pseudo Druid Groves were like tiny dabs of green paint on a yellow canvas. The Groves would not swallow the desert Lash knew this. The desert was its own piece of nature. It was a part of the world just like anything else. But he was sure The Green wouldn't have asked if there wasn't a good reason. Nature is neither good or evil, it just is.
The SHARC's engines came to life and they took off towards their original destination. Lash could see the trail in his Magical Perception they flew across the ocean of sands that held a current of magic as the Nature Domain began to reseed the area. In a few years the Sahara was going to look a lot different. Lash used Parallel Minds and Connectivity to contact the Wardens, and the Fae Courts. Telling them he received a mission from The Green. He told them about the pseudo Druid Groves and their locations. Along with the were pack that claimed one of them. They were pleasantly surprised to hear from him, and his mission. The Green was a very enigmatic influence on the super-natural world. But they said they would register the Groves and send teams out.
“Almost there.” Lash said to his....friends.
Only a few miles ahead of them was a picture perfect basin in the vast desert. The sand dunes themselves pushed back and created a perfect little spot for the SHARC to land, the dunes rose high to shield them from unfriendly eyes. Dozens of Nature spirits danced in the area. Lash slowed down and the engines rotated up as they slowly landed. Mera and Arthur put on some desert gear that they had obtained from Lash. He crafted only a little Orichalcum and Nth metal into them, just a little! Then they put on a re:breathing masks as well. Why?
“So, we are going to ride Saurian down through the sand?” Arthur asked as they opened the rear hatch.
“That's right. We can all breath underwater. But neither of you can breath sand, stone, and earth. We'll slip through the vast amounts of it and come to the front gate of the Deserter Capitol. The Green assures me that there is a massive cave system under our feet. The city is in ruins! But intact all the same.” Lash said as he walked out under the baking sun. The SHARC shut down, and became nearly invisible to the naked eye.
Lash called out his old friend and partner. His skin peeled as scales were revealed underneath. His armored entered his Spatial Item Shift and was replaced by Saurian's gear. His bones broke, muscles tore, and joints adjusted. Saurian used Size Alteration so he was twelve feet tall by twenty four feet long. His skull crest had grown a little bit more, he had the makings of a small horn on his snout, and spiked ridges along his eyes and jaw line. He knelt down and let Arthur and Mera climb onto his back. He cast Alteration, and Material Shaping to create handle bars on his back armor.
“Masks on!” Saurian said, the Temporary Pack Bond was still in place since the first time Lash had made it as they flew over the desert. Arthur and Mera gave him the all clear then he cast Earth Swim on himself and them.
Just like a vast ocean of sand that they had called his place for the past few days. Now it truly was an ocean, at least to Saurian. He moved through the ground as easy as water and dove straight towards the destination The Green guided him to. Saurian couldn't swim through everything, like the remains of bones, and some extraordinary resilient rock areas. Arthur and Mera held onto each other as they also held onto the Saurian. They couldn't see a damn thing down here. They felt the earth around them move like wet mud. They knew if they let go they would be trapped! Saurian used his new ability Telekinesis to keep them close to him. The ability was very new and took a great deal of energy to maintain but it was good practice!
Then after nearly ten minutes of swimming through the earth they popped out of the earthen wall! Saurian pulled himself from the carved wall to find a massive underground cavern. The ceiling must have gone up nearly half a mile, while massive pillars of carved rock extended from the floor to the top. Between the pillars was a vast ruined city made from stone, and far into the depths of the cave was a massive castle. Mera and Arthur stepped off from his back and pulled their masks off and stowed them on their belts for later. A broken bridge and a ruined gate impeded their progress. Saurian easily repaired the bridge and removed the ruined gate.
“This is BAD ASS!” Arthur's voice echoed through the giant cavern.
“We did it! We found the Desert Kingdom Capitol!” Mera shouted and hugged Arthur she went to hug Saurian but stopped when he asked a question.
“Do you hear water?” Saurian asked them. They all stopped and went back to the bridge they came across. Down into the vast chasm below they saw a river....The water was slowly rising to.
“Oh....It seems The Green is making the waters rise. Normally that wouldn't be bad for any of us. But the city is in such a state that it will be washed away. So looks like we are on a time limit.” Saurian said softly. Then he whipped around and snarled at something in the distance. His Grave Domain had activated.
Mera and Arthur flipped around and saw a ghostly apparition of a Desert Kingdom city guardsman walking towards them. He had translucent but was visible enough for them to see that he had lose fitted cloth, leather, and chain mail on. He had a scimitar at his waist, a shield on his back, a short spear in his hand, along with a horn. He narrowed his eyes at them and raised the horn to his lips. BBBBBEEEERRUUUUUUAAAAAA! The horn rang out across the cavern! Then the city came to life an not in a good way! Hundreds of guardsmen appeared from the realm of The Grey.
“INTRUDERS! OUR CITY IS UNDER ATTACK!” Shouted the ghostly guardsman.
“Well fuck!” Saurian shouted.