Chapter 64: Forge King Saharad(2/3)
“Lash! Jump on the League message board! You got to see this!” Arthur called out. Lash sighed because he felt he knew what it was going to be.
On the Justice League message board was a comedic video of the giant dinosaur Saurian racing towards the giant iron gate. Plowing through it with all due haste as ghost arrow, bolt, and ballista shot either missed him or bounced off his armor. Then he bashed through and made a massive hole! But wait! What was wrong! Saurian was stuck! There were captions, arrows, and play by play like a stadium sports arena spokes person. There were over a dozen comments of LOL! ROFL! But there were of course people who asked the serious questions.
'Did you make it through safely?' -Superman.
'Yes. We found our next bread crumb and on our way' -Aquaman.
'Wraith did take some injuries during the fight but he is healing quickly.' -Aquawoman.
'Here is the full video' -Wraith.
Lash uploaded the entire event from when they first exited the cavern wall, all the way to them leaving again. He could pull a video straight from memory thanks to his Technomancy Domain. Thanks to his skill Parallel Minds Lash continued to pilot the plane as well has interact on the message board. It would be several hours before they reached their destination. Mera went to the little kitchen and started to cook a simple dinner. Despite being a princess, Mera knew how to cook. Though she wouldn't be winning any contests. Lash actually asked if he could get some protein to help him heal. This was one of the only times Arthur or Mera had seen Lash ask for food. Arthur jumped up to help cook the meal and promised Lash several big steaks to his name.
'Wraith, so you can just make those lizard people right? Are they like being teleported from a ship? Or....' -Kid Flash.
'They should be Illusions made from magical energy given False Life to act the part. Is that right, Wraith?' -Zatanna.
'Correct' -Wraith.
'Right.....Magic.... (@[email?protected])' -Kid Flash
'I placed a engine core in their centers and manipulated it to make hard light to craft the life model decoys of the lizard folk.' -Wraith
'I knew it! Science wins again!' -Kid Flash.
[Private message] 'One of these days he'll figure it out.' -Zatanna.
As the sun began to set in Africa it would be close to morning on the other side of the world. More people signed off over time. Several more people asked questions about the video, and the ghosts. Flash, and Kid Flash tried to explain the situation away in science hoping Wraith would explain it. But he never did. Lash ate four 12 ounce steaks medium rare. Then recast Sooth, and Nature's Supplement. At last the wounds healed and the taint of The Grey was removed.
The SHARC had made it to the Mediterranean Sea, Lash noticed the additional water and air traffic. More then once he had to move the SHARC out of the way of other planes. Given they didn't show up on radar and were nearly invisible to the naked eye thanks to Chameleon. It was clear that the Mundanes had noticed the changes happening to Northern Africa, and the Sahara desert. He checked the Warden and Fae Council information, and nearly crashed the plane in surprise.
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Pamela, or rather Poison Ivy watched in fascination and excitement as the CNN broad cast showed a new and revitalized picture of Norther Africa. There for all the eyes to see was a fast growing jungle from five direct points in the vast ocean of sands. She was at the Warden HQ taking a break from the application process. A very nice female sylvan druid was helping her fill out the paper work but she was just surprised by the changes on the television as Ivy was. A name came up on the news broad cast. 'Agent Wraith' of the United Nations World Security had established five specific oasis that were all attached by under water rivers. Now surface rivers all fresh water that connected them. For centuries people had fought and died over water. Now in a few short weeks the believe that the Sahara desert will soon be a vast jungle.
Though it was not all good news. Many countries were angry that Agent Wraith had ignored boarders and acted with out notifying them. Many traditionalist believed the desert was part of their heritage and didn't want it to be changed. But of course everyone who was speaking were all wealthy people that didn't want for anything. All the lower economy people in those countries couldn't be happier for the change. Now water, something that is taken for granted in other countries will be available to them in vast quantities. Ivy smiled wide, and leaned back into her chair.
“Hmmmm... Maybe I should do that. Go change an area into a jungle.” Ivy said with a bit of mischief in her eyes.
“Though I would love to see the world restored to such an environment. Not all deserts are bad, Miss Ivy. They are an important part of the ecosystem.” The sylvan druid reminded her.
“Maybe... Come on! I'm motivated to finish the application!” Ivy stood up and the Sylvan away.
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“Uncle J'onn, have you thought to ask Wraith to help us restore Mars?” Me'ghan asked softly. She sat in his small apartment with him as they watched earths television CNN broadcast.
“I've considered it. Though I believe that this...Green. The living embodiment of Earths nature may be his power. It may not work on Mars. But perhaps he knows a way to slow or even repair the damage our people have caused to our mother planet.” J'onn said softly.
They both sat in their natural 'Green' martian forms. J'onn, and Me'ghan, though Me'ghan's form was a little different. J'onn paid it no mind. She was still young and growing. A lot like his two daughters had been, H'ronmeer embrace them in his arms. J'onn was sad for a moment at the thought of his dead children but blocked his thoughts from his niece. He didn't want to ruin her good mood. She was making friends with the other children in the Justice League. J'onn was happy that he could support his niece on Earth. She never really fit in on Mars he didn't understand why though.
J'onn turned back to the broad cast and watched in real time as the jungles continued to spread. They estimated that more then half of the Sahara would be jungle before the end of the week. Several leading scientist were contacted through the world wide web to comment. They had no idea how it was possible. But Wraith had brought a lot of things to Earth that they thought was impossible. Maybe Me'ghan was right. Maybe Wraith could help them restore Mars. He would pray to H'ronmeer tonight to seek guidance.
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“So wait...How long is the jungle suppose to grow?” Arthur asked.
Lash had landed the SHARC on Sicily near their destination. He had deployed it and brought the Invisibility online so they were sightless. He also placed a simple miss direction glamour in the area just in case a mundane ran into them some how. Arthur was sitting on the coach with a pint of liquor in his hands, the glass was filled with a incredibly strong alchohal that Lash had had fabricated. Mera had half a glass and was tipsy as hell! She was snuggling into Arthur's embrace as she tried to focus on the conversation.
“I don't know. The Green will decide enough is enough. A lot like a wild fire in reverse the jungle will grow once it runs out of energy. Only this 'fire' people shouldn't want to put out. Unless the jungle hits a city and grows over it...Which could happen I guess. I hope it doesn't.” Lash replied as he sipped his drink. It was smooth going down, with a hint of honey on his tongue.
“What did Vulko say in his message?” Lash asked. A few hours ago Vulko had sent a message through Mera's communicator.
“Orm tried to arrest Vulko at the Temple of Poseidon. Which did not go over well with the priest, priestess, clerics, and paladins at the temple. Its neutral ground! Orm said Vulko was spreading civil unrest, Orm continued to argue that he was doing this for the betterment of the ocean. Then! Almost as if it was timed a divine glow swallowed the temple a ghostly image of King Atlan appeared and pointed his finger at Orm and declared to the entire area. 'Orm! You are not the one true king!'” Arthur said with a grin that spread from ear to ear.
“Well that should make your campaign a little easier!” Lash said in surprise.
“Orm left quickly from the temple, but shortly after made a public announcement that the Temple of Poseidon had been corrupted by outside forces and demanded a inquisition be placed on the temple. Unfortunately because he is a prince of Atlantis its with in his right to call for one.” Mera joined in and tried to not hiccup! Her flushed face was adorable, Lash commented on it and she hid in Arthur's arms clearly embarrassed!
“So, as Vulko explained. An inquisition force of Poseidon's God-Kin will arrive at the Temple to over see if there is any corruption or taint at the temple. They are bound by their God not to lie, subvert, or manipulate anything. It will take weeks or even months to complete. Because of this, Vulko is bound by law to stay at the Temple for questioning. So he wont be swimming ahead to inform the different kingdoms of our eventual arrival. But! If the God-Kin find no corruption? Then Orm is finished! Even if I don't get the Trident no one will accept Orm as King.” Arthur said, clearly pleased with the situation.
They talked for another hour about logistics, and the different Kingdoms locations. Even though Arthur didn't want to rule, he was invested to go find his mother. That would be enough for now, but little by little this journey was changing him for the better. Arthur pulled Mera towards their cabin and bid Lash goodnight. Lash stayed up and used Connectivity to comb through the web and the dark web. He was always so busy and he would often forget to check things that he should do. Things fall through the cracks. Missions, objectives that seemed important months ago seem so small now. Meta-Human trafficking was starting to pick up. Not only that but Meta-Animals had been found. A giant Tiger in Indonesia, that was bullet proof, and blended into the environment like a chameleon had been found. Despite many attempts to capture and or kill it every attempt had failed. Lash tagged the video and sent it to the Justice League message board.
He tapped his necklace and his mystic dragon familiar, Dawn. Became animated and flew around the SHARC. She found a few bits of food, and sipped the extremely strong liquor. Watching a drunk dragon fly into walls was adorable. Soon she gave up and came back to snuggle with Lash. He stroked her smooth scales as he continued to look through the net. His familiar chirped into his ear.
“User, a new version went through. Contained with in the store is a item shop! As always the shop is only filled with items that you have encountered in your time with in the Dream Engine.” The tiny dragon said softly.
“Oh? I guess that makes sense. Not everyone is going to be a crafter. I assume the item store sells super suits?” Lash asked.
“That is correct, User! Most items can be purchased then upgraded overtime through the store. There are also weapons, items, gadgets, and blueprints.” Dawn said, as she pawed his neck like a small kitten would.
“Blueprints? Like the Justice League Watchtower?” Lash asked, his interest piqued now.
“Yes! Though it takes several Dream Points to purchase. If you have an existing crafting experience which you do, the required DP is cheaper. There is also a Rift compass! Which guides the User to any near by Rift with in a hundred miles of their location.” Dawn said, she noticed his interest and nuzzled his cheek.
“Also take note that your VI Avatar has been voted for an award as a major support role in other worlds. Though your VI Avatar is hated by many of those that play villains. Your VI Avatar has slain six thousand four hundred and thirty two User villains.” Dawn said smugly. Lash choked on his own saliva and started to cough.
“I'm surprised they don't spend world points to remove me!” Lash replied after he stopped coughing.
“Many Users who play villains do remove you. However removing another VI Avatar takes a lot of world points. Many of the Users think of you as a personal challenge to defeat, conquer, and overcome.” Dawn replied.
“What about the other four hundred and ninety nine Users that are still on their first life. I haven't met any of them yet. I'm a little surprised.” Lash asked, honestly curious.
“Many of the other Users that are part of the 'first life' five hundred will not be seen until mid way through your current segment. Though I can not tell you who, or how many there are. Several are currently moving around in your generated world time line, now.” Dawn said.
Dawn continued to brief him on the version update. Little quality of life changes, ways to customize his user interface in case he wanted the traditional life, mana, energy, etc. He didn't, he liked the intuitive access the Dream Engine allowed him. Even though he couldn't see any of his energy he was subconsciously aware of it. Any prompts, notifications, or messages were like message alters that faded from sights as soon as he saw them. He was interested in buying a Rift Compass though, along with a blueprint for the 'Watchtower'.
The sun soon began to rise over Sicily, Lash started a pot of coffee for his 'room mates'. He spared a moment to repair the damage to Saurian's gear through the Spatial Item Shift. He used his Transmuter title and created ten pounds of Mithril and split it evenly through Saurian and his own gear. In a lot of ways Mithril and Nth metal were similar. He had learned the chemical make up due to his Shaper Title. But he realized that Nth metal was like Thanagar version of Orichalcum. Common metals that were shaped and changed due the effects of the extra-dimensional beings that once controlled the planet. Orichalcum was a divine metal that was blessed by divinity. So, what was Mithril?
Lash and Saurian's gear look straight out of a fantasy novel. Studded leather, plate male, with a touch of Daemonic influence from his heritage that he could never shake. The gear just seem to shift towards it, though he did see there was a bit of Xenomorph skeleton style to the gear as well. He used his Deserter Kingdom technique and placed his enchantments while he created it. He found that the enchantment was stronger, but took far longer to create. By the time he was finished Mera and Arthur had finished with breakfast and were ready to walk into town.
Mera had boots, loose pants, and an open cotton shirt over her Atlantean gear. Her pale skin, blue eyes, and brilliant red hair made her incredibly eye catching. Despite her baggy clothing she had a hour glass figure that made people just stop and stare at her. Mera had always been confident in her body and paid no mind to those that stared at her. Arthur kept his boots but swapped out to a loose khaki pants, and a tight white t-shirt that was snug and showed off every line of his muscles. He received a lot of attention from the women he passed. His wild lightly curled hair free on his shoulders. While Lash? Lash created a simple illusion and glamour to make him look like a twenty something average looking Italian male. Brown eyes, bald head, in tourist clothing, very average looking. Many would assume he was a porter hear to carry the luggage of these two super models.
The area they headed to was a mixture of village and town. Though more modern buildings were closed inland, the coast remained the traditional sense. Nothing wrong with it! It looked beautiful, and Lash knew that Italy took great pride and care in their cultural heritage. Many roads that were built during Ancient Greece glory days were still being used today! Lash knew the basic idea of where they needed to go but didn't say anything. He enjoyed watching Mera and Arthur interact with the locals. But he did notice a few super-naturals, who in turn also noticed him. A husband, wife, and small child walked over. They had light red skin, fiery eyes, and small horns that grew from their heads like horns. Devil-Kin, he hadn't seen some since the grandfather he met back at Gotham who gave him hot chocolate as thanks for fixing a street corner park.
“Warden Lash?” The husband asked. Lash looked at him in surprise.
“Yes?” Lash responded, a little on edge. The family smiled at him, and the little boy waved but quickly hid behind his mother when Lash waved back.
“The tribal marks gave you away. You are pretty famous! Converting the Sahara into a jungle.” The wife replied with a smile as she gently patted her son's head.
“Ah! I was afraid I had a bad reputation. Forgive me for my rude manners!” Lash replied and gave an official Warden etiquette bow to them. His respectful attitude earned him wider smiles from the family.
“Rumor has it that you are trying to bring peace to the oceans by uniting the Atlanteans.” The husband said. As he looked over at Arthur and Mera.
“I can neither confirm no deny any involvement I have with the civil war currently in play. As you know Wardens can not pick sides. But if it helps keep the peace between the super-naturals and the mundanes then I will act in every ones best interest.” Lash gave the standard public relation reply which only earned him a snicker from the wife.
“I'm sure! Don't worry! We never saw you! Good luck in your journey's Warden Lash!” The wife replied.
Before the family left Lash crafted a stone serpent with Essence Imbuement, and False Life. The snake came alive and snuggled into the waiting arms of the small boy who absolutely loved it! The snake had a tiny bit of Orichalcum in it! Just a bit! Apparently the mother was rather sensitive to magic because she seem to understand what the snake was made out of. She didn't say anything but her expression told a story, Lash held his finger to his lips. She kept quiet but clearly was shocked by the value of the gift. Lash rejoined his companions as they walked up to the theater of statues to the great leaders of their time.
“Everything alright?” Mera asked when he caught up.
“Yes, just a few super-naturals that wanted to talk.” Lash replied.
“It blew my mind when Mera told me about the super-natural world. I mean I've seen some things but, I thought the weirdest thing I'd ever seen was a talking lizard. Wow was I surprised!” Arthur said with a grin.
They reached the circle of statues, Lash stood off to the side and watched the scene play out. Arthur figured the bottle trick out quickly and showed Mera. He offered the bottle to Lash then stopped in mid motion. He seem to realize that Lash already knew the answer but was waiting for them to catch up. Arthur laughed and went through the different histories of the statues. On the small section of the town was a monument to the old leaders of Greece and Rome. There looking into the distance was Romulus the first king of Rome. The statues upper half was cracked and falling apart but his right hand was up as if he was meant to hold something up. The back of his skull was removed from years past which allowed people to look through his eyes. Arthur put the bottle in the kings hand and looked through it.
“Aha! Found it!” Arthur shouted, and showed Mera what he had seen. Lash came up and confirmed the destination.
There was a brief moment when Lash expected a laser or plasma blast. Black Manta? 'King' Orm commandos? Nothing. Since Mera had removed her tracking device over a year ago they had no way of knowing her location. Arthur and Mera bought some food and drink in town and they headed back to the SHARC. Next was the Trench, the Trenchers, and the portal to the Hidden Sea. When they got back to the SHARC Lash added a few more things to their transportation, specifically flood lights. He double checked the pressure depths, and the seals. The different compartments to each section, along with the wings, engines, etc. All in all it took a few more hours before they left, it was nearly sunset when they lifted off.
“So, what should we expect o great and mighty oracle?” Arthur said with a bit of mirth in his voice.
“Mera, what do you know about the Kingdom of the Trench, and the Trenchers?” Lash asked as he found a suitable spot in the water and started to covert the SHARC to underwater submarine. The shark 'jaws' closed around the cockpit, holographic projectors created a life like window into the oceans.
“The Trench is located in what you call the Mariana Trench, the vast stretch holds one of the largest kingdoms of savage creatures, beings, and nightmares found in the deep ocean. The Trenches were once just like us but after the Great Fall the magic that changed us to breath under water took to them differently. As the nightmares of the ocean dwell in that area the magic changed the Atlanteans into creatures of the depths. Now they are savage, primal beasts that have no culture of their own. But to feed, breed, and repeat.” Mera replied, Arthur looked at the bottle that gave them directions.
“You mean the Mariana Trench in the Pacific ocean? That is not where the bottle showed us to go.” Arthur replied.
“Correct! However we'll have to assume that each Trench has access to the portal.” Lash replied as the SHARC dove under water and began to speed its way to their destination.
“Portal? I think we talked about that before. Do you mean like a teleportation hub thing that Mera was talking to me about?” Arthur asked, clearly confused.
“Not the same thing, Arthur would you be so kind as to go to the weapons platform seat. Mera please join him in yours as well. We'll be drawing attention shortly.” Lash replied.
That was something that Lash hated about the movies, and comics they never gave a specific location to places in the DC Universe. The Mariana Trench was in the pacific ocean, the glass bottle did not tell them to go that far. So that meant there was another entrance here in the Mediterranean Sea? So why haven't the Trenches swarmed up and swallowed Sicily!? Or at least consumed any and all fish boats, and tourist sails. Lash had to assume that the Trenchers were under orders to guard this specific entrance. The Golden Trident did have the capacity to sway and control the Trenches. Perhaps it was the last order given by King Atlan, just like the ghosts in the forge.
The SHARC continued to dive through the waters towards their general destination. Little by little the ocean life in the area seem to grow small, distant, and soon were no where to be seen. The hard water power core started humming as the hydro cannons powered up. Arthur said a little prayer, or a message to his mother. He was coming and wouldn't stop till he found her. Tiny motes of life started to show up on the view screens. Imbued with Nature Domain they were better at spotting things then any modern radar.
“Trenchers straight ahead. Weapons free you two, you see a Trencher shoot it down and move to the next!” Lash activated his Parallel Minds and took the forward gun position. Arthur and Mera started to maneuver their weapon stations and started to fire plasma water shots.
The Trenchers stood at about seven feet tall, with black to grayish skin tone. Fins extended from their arms, legs, back, and head. Their mouths extended from side to side with a gaping maw of long sharp pointy teeth. The top of their skulls had a foggy see through skull cap that allowed them a sense of echo location. While claws on their hands and feet allowed them to properly tear, rend, and rip flesh from bone. A Love Craft creation if Lash had ever seen one.
Like a disturbed bee hive dozens of Trenches moved to intercept that soon grew to hundreds, then thousands. In little less than five minutes thousands of Trenchers moved to intercept the SHARC. Right before they hit the hull of the submarine Lash activated his flood lights! SCREEEEEE! The Trenches screamed, and Lash screamed out in pain! Just like the Atlanteans, the Trenches also had a telepathic language. But unlike Mera and Arthur, only Lash could hear them talk. Beast Speak activated and Lash heard the Trenches scream in agony, and call for help from their kin.
Lash didn't do any fancy flying moves like in a dog fight he did a straight shot for the crevice about a mile ahead of him. Arthur, Mera, and himself fired their weapons for all they were worth. Two rotating turrets on the side of the SHARC shot out balls of super heated plasma that exploded in giant masses of energy swallowed dozens of Trenchers. Cosmic Deity above there were a lot of them out there. Easily over a hundred thousand responded to the call! Lash pulled up then dove straight down into the trench.
“This is going to be rough!” Lash called out to his companions!
Despite the flood lights the swarm of Trenchers rammed into the SHARC. They threw themselves against this metal monstrosity, screamed in pain as the lights blinded and burned their skin. As if they were allergic to light itself. The hydro cannons continued to fire as fast as they could. One of the plasma cannons was ripped off, alarm bells rang as water flooded into the SHARC. Lash placed his hand on the terminal near him and cast the Renew spell. The leak was fixed but he would need time to remake the turret.
More weapons were peeled off, flood lights, and strips of armor. Lash found the bottom and pulled up and started to do a spin through a corridor of rock, crystals, and thousands of sleeping Trenchers. Fuck there was a lot of them! But he saw a flicker of lighting further ahead, almost there! He pushed the throttle forward and they sped straight for it. The engines started to creep towards the red line.
“Arthur! Mera! We are almost there! We'll see if the SHARC will live through the entry point!” Lash shouted.
“WAIT! You mean your not sure!” Arthur shouted.
“Nope! Not at all!” Lash replied with a laugh.
“I'm game if you two are!” Mera shouted.
“Aha! Fuck it! Lets go!” Arthur cheered.
The SHARC's engines burned underwater as fast as they could go. They left the Trenchers behind as they cleared the underwater crevice. A massive pillar of twisting clouds, water, lightning stared back at them. The lightning reached out as if it was alive and struck the SHARC. Lash watched as his power levels reached 400%! How about that! They dove straight into the twisting tower and alarms blared off everywhere inside. The twisted pulled them up, down, sideways! But despite the tremendous force there seemed to be a direction it was taking them.
'I see you! I feel you! Come....This way!' A voice gently called to Lash. His Nature Domain flared to life and Lash steered towards the voice.
“ALMOST THERE!” Lash shouted.
The SHARC was breaking apart around them! He was incredibly happy he decided to reinforce it before he started the journey. But even then the vessels was groaning in pain as it was coming apart at the seems. Lash activated his spell Renew and held it, the ship was fixing it self but it was a battle of attrition that he was losing!
“WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO! BRING IT ON!” Arthur called out!
Then with an audible POP! They exited the twisting portal and appeared in another space! The twisting portal behind them, but the current forced them forward with no room for argument. The SHARC stopped shaking and stabilized as it repaired itself to nearly full thanks to Lash's spell work. Lash adjusted the vessel and headed for the surface. Like any modern day submarine they erupted from the water. In front of them was a vast cavern! At the highest point of the cavern was a collection of massive crystals that gave off what appeared to be natural light. Below the crystal sky was a massive piece of land filled with jungles, beaches, coves, and....Stone buildings? Lash wanted to fly over the island only to realize one of his auxiliary engines was missing. He pressed the throttle gently forward towards the nearest beach.
More then once a giant Liopleurodon's swam past them. Ancient aquatic pseudo-dinosaurs. Scaled hide, long flippers, long snout like jaw. He knew Atlantis kept them as mounts that only high born used. Lash remembered that Orm used one as his mount. But these ones made Orm's mount look like a child's toy. Despite their carnivore nature they simply nudged the SHARC as if they were curious to what it was. The SHARC reached the beach, the landing gear extended and they half rolled and clawed their way onto the beach outside of the tide. -->>