The boat exited into a dense fog bank so thick the three young travelers could not even see the person sitting next to them. They wondered how Jeanip would be able to navigate in such fog. After a few minutes, they felt the boat speed away from the Banana Boat.
“I thought Oonocks couldn’t see through fog?” Terrance asked, a little concerned about Jeanip not being able to see where he was going.
“You are correct. Fog is impenetrable to us as long as we’re in human form,” Jeanip volunteered. “To ease your fears, young Terrance, I know where I’m going because Enok is directing me.”
“Father is back?” Europa asked, anxiously wishing she could see through the fog. “How can you tell in this fog? I don’t hear his calls.”
“I can hear him inside my mind. He is giving me directions on how to navigate so we can pass through the passageway with no problems. Whales operate by sonar and therefore have no trouble navigating through this fog.”
“Ingenious,” Cimbor said. “An impenetrable fog no one in their right mind would try to sail through.
Jeanip smiled. “If you are impressed by the fog, what until you see the whole island!”
“The Oonock engineer who designed the security for this place is great, indeed,” Cimbor commented. “I would very much like to meet him someday.”
Knowing the sorrow everyone felt over his loss, Earon quickly stated, “His name was Sunam and we lost him on the first part of our voyage. We came under fire by Terrians in a sea plane and Sunam fashioned a weapon to destroy them. But when he fired it, part of it flew back into his chest. His wounds were too severe and we lost him.”
“Did the weapon stop the Terrians?” Cimbor asked.
“Yes.”
“Then he accomplished his mission, which is every soldier’s dream,” Cimbor said. “May the Waters take him home and give him an eternity of peace.” After a short pause Cimbor added, “I did not know any of the security team had escaped the destruction of Minnos and accompanied you.”
“Only two made it,” Europa replied. “Sunam and his wife Misso both left with us on the boat. But Misso had been injured in the initial attack and died in route to the Hunting Lodge. And Earon told you how Sunam died.”
“I can tell you were very fond of them,” Cimbor stated, as he heard the hint of sorrow in her voice. “But remember this, Your Majesty. They died as soldiers, doing their solemn duty of protecting you and they were able to return to the waters from which we came. Few soldiers are fortunate enough to become part of the sea. I only hope my end will be the same.” He purposely added a tone of empathy to his voice, hoping it hid his happiness at hearing of their deaths. He was thankful the thick fog prevented her from seeing his smile.
Knowing they died doing their duty and were able to return to the sea did little to ease Europa’s sorrow. Misso and Sunam had been with her since the day she was born. She could not remember a morning when Misso was not waiting for her in the kitchen with a glass of milk or juice or, in later years, a cooled cup of coffee. She did not know Sunam as well as she did Misso, but she still had fond memories of him also. He was the one who taught her to ride and how to properly saddle her horse. He was the one who always fixed her truck whenever something went wrong or, sometimes, he would install things just to make it run better or be nicer to ride in; like the time he surprised her with a new sound system. Europa knew Jeanip and Earon also felt their lost. But they had known them as soldiers and were therefore more able to accept their deaths. She found no solace in their honorable passing.
____________
For the next hour they navigated carefully through the impenetrable fog following Enok’s directions. The island was surrounded by many hazards to keep anyone from reaching the island unless they knew the secret path through the labyrinth of jagged rocks, shipwrecks and crashing waves. Europa reached out in the dense fog and grabbed Earon’s hand while snuggling even further into Terrance’s arms, hoping that would help her with the uneasiness which was beginning to creep into her. Living by the ocean, she was used to fog, but not to this extent or duration as today. Just as she was about to ask how much further, the silence was broken by a sound from Enok signaling they were reaching the end of the fog barrier.
“We’re starting to come out of the fog,” Jeanip announced, almost with a tone of relief, for he too had started to feel uneasy. “Look ahead, Your Majesties. Saint’s Isle will be visible in a few minutes.”
Europa, Terrance and Earon stood and looked ahead as the fog began to thin. Within minutes it disappeared totally to reveal an island covered with green foliage and palm trees. A long, white, sandy beach began at the foliage line and fell down to a deep blue ocean. Gentle waves washed up on the shore, glistening in the sunlight. Rising above the trees on the west side of the island was a large, three-story building made of white marble that sat on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Four large pillars, also of white marble, could be seen gracing its front, reminding one of an ancient Greek temple. A set of double doors made of gold marked the entrance to the habitat. A white marble stairway could be seen rising to the doors with a lilac waterfall cascading down each side before emptying into a large moat. A cloudless blue sky framed the island to complete the picture. Beyond the island the barrier of fog could again be seen, thus assuring the travelers their island was well hidden.
“Welcome to your new home, Your Majesties,” Jeanip said. He smiled as he saw the look of awe on his charges’ faces.
“I have never seen anything so beautiful,” Europa said. “It is unbelievable.”
“It was modeled after our first city we had to sink,” Jeanip said. “It is totally self-contained. You have electricity, hot and cold running water, air conditioning; basically, all the comforts of home along with gardens. And a security system even more advanced than the one at Minnos, again thanks to Sunam.”
“Is this Atlantis?” Terrance asked.
“No, Terrance,” Jeanip said, laughing at the humans’ obsession with the lost city. “We did not call our first city Atlantis. That was a name the humans gave it many years later. This is Saint’s Isle, a sanctuary designed by Enok and Medaron, built and engineered by Sunam and a handful of talented Oonock engineers.”
“How long did it take to build something like this?” Terrance inquired, still not believing his eyes.
“You must remember our technology is far more advanced than Earth’s,” Jeanip began. “It took Sunam’s team a little over three weeks to construct the island and install the barriers we just passed through, and I believe a week to build the house. The house took longer than we anticipated because we had to fly in the white marble for the house and steps.”
“A week!” Terrance said in amazement, more to himself than to his fellow travelers. Even with the most sophisticated equipment it would take a human crew months, or even years, to build such a place.
Europa looked above the island at the beautiful blue sky. “Jeanip, what keeps planes that fly over the island from discovering it?”
“Excellent question,” Jeanip commented. “You are definitely beginning to think like a monarch, seeing possible flaws in security matters. There is a security dome that covers the island, making it invisible from the air. Anyone flying over it sees only a dense fog bank, like the one we passed through. No plane will venture into it since the visibility is zero and, thanks to a magnetic field Sunam installed, their instruments will not function either. No pilot will fly blindly through such a force of nature. Yet, from the island, you see only blue sky during the day and stars at night. Sometimes, when the alignment is just right, you can even see Jupiter in the heavens. There’s a telescope on the third floor if you ever want to take a closer look. You might even be able to see Europa’s shadow as she passes in front of Jupiter.”
Cimbor scanned the island looking for security systems to repel any invader that might get through the previous defenses. Seeing none he asked, “Not that I doubt Eno
k’s security measures, but what stops a Terrian from entering the island if they made it this far?”
“That was Medaron’s and Sunam’s ingenious creation,” Jeanip said. “I am not at liberty to say what it is or how it works, but be assured no Terrian will be able to step foot on the island.” Europa watched Cimbor’s face and body for any change created by Jeanip’s words. For a quick second she thought she saw a look of alarm pass over his face, then it was gone.
Up ahead a narrow lagoon appeared, leading into the island. Jeanip throttled down the boat as he turned into the lagoon, navigating it up the inlet and into an opening carved in the rock.
“Cimbor and Earon, get the tie lines ready to secure the boat,” Jeanip ordered. Cimbor proceeded to the bow and readied the tie line. Earon did the same in the stern. As the boat entered the opening, lights began to turn on revealing a dock and a stone walkway leading to an opening into the estate grounds. Jeanip turned off the engine and brought the boat alongside the dock. Cimbor and Earon jumped off the boat and secured the vessel. Cimbor unhooked the plank and, with Earon’s help, swung one end onto the boat so the passengers could disembark. He quickly stepped onto the plank with the intention of helping Europa, but was surprised to see Terrance was already escorting her. Stepping back down onto the dock, Cimbor held out his hand to assist Europa in stepping down.
“I’ll carry your backpack, Your Majesty,” Cimbor said, reaching for the pack in her hand. “Sovereigns are not supposed to carry their own baggage.”
Terrance quickly grabbed it. “That’s okay, Cimbor. I’ve got it for her.”
“Terrance, as Europa’s companion you should not be expected to carry her things either. I insist you allow me to carry it,” Cimbor stated, now holding his hand out to Terrance.
Earon walked up to Terrance and jabbed him in his side. He leaned over and whispered in his ear, “Let the poor guy carry her backpack. He feels it is part of his duty.” Reluctantly, Terrance handed Cimbor Europa’s backpack while keeping his own securely over his shoulder. He wondered what Cimbor’s true reason was for wanting to carry it.
“Welcome to Saint’s Isle, Your Majesties and Terrance,” Jeanip announced. “After you are safe inside, Cimbor, Seemon and I will come back for the supplies.” Turning to Cimbor he said, “There is equipment we need from the storage shed to help us bring up the supplies. Once these three are secured, you need to retrieve it.” He turned to the two monarchs and Terrance and gestured them forward with his hand, “Now, if you would follow me, I’ll show you your new home.”
Jeanip led the way down the path, through the opening and out onto the grounds. They were as breathtaking as the first sight of the island had been. Birds of paradise, anthuriums, azaleas and other exotic flowers bloomed everywhere. A pebbled path led through the gardens, leading past several water fountains from which lilac waters flowed. In the trees were parrots, macaws and vividly colored song birds. Butterflies and hummingbirds fluttered amongst the flowers. Several benches and swings with overhead awnings dotted the path where one could sit and enjoy the gardens’ beauty. The pebbled path ended at a side stairway that led to the main marble stairs. As they ascended the stairs, they were able to see more gardens, fountains and benches spreading across the interior of the island.
Upon reaching the first level, the side stairway ended. Before them stretched the white marble stairway they had seen from the ocean. As they approached the main stairway a plank magically appeared, enabling them to cross over the moat. When the last traveler stepped onto the white stairway, the plank once again disappeared, leaving the upper level secured. They were amazed to see the moat was filled with large gold fish and lily pads. More exotic flowers ran along the inside wall of the moat.
When they reached the top of the stairs, Jeanip turned left onto a golden path. They continued down it until it ended in front of a pair of large golden doors. At the end of the path, on each side, stood a large, light purple stone column with the same strange symbols Europa had seen on her mother’s diary. Beyond the columns was empty space spanning fifteen feet from the end of the path to the door. On the outward side of each column and in front of the door was a sheer drop to the ocean below. Jeanip stopped, unable to proceed.
“How do we get across?” Europa asked, when another plank did not materialize.
“I believe your mother gave you the key to extend the path so we can enter,” Jeanip said. A puzzled look crossed Europa’s face. She didn’t recall her mother ever giving her a key. Did she forget something? Suddenly, the amulets around Europa and Earon’s necks began to glow as they did the day the Terrians attacked Minnos. Europa and Earon immediately looked at each other, realizing what the glowing amulet meant.
“Jeanip, what is going on?” a frightened Europa asked, reaching out and grabbing her brother and Terrance’s hands, pulling them close to her. “Why are the amulets glowing?
“I don’t know,” Jeanip replied, stepping back to position himself before the three, weapon drawn. “The amulets are warning of Terrian presence, but it’s impossible for Terrians to enter the island.”
“Terrians cannot, but Waters can,” Cimbor said, turning to face the other five, his eyes glowing red. In his hand he held a blaster with a round purple stone in the power chamber.
“JeffRa!” Jeanip exclaimed. “It can’t be.”
“JeffRa?” Europa repeated, trying to see her enemy in the young soldier standing before her.
“Father?” Terrance asked simultaneously, wondering if this person before him could possibly be his father.
To his horror Terrance heard Cimbor reply, “Hello, son. I was quite surprised to see you accompanying this scum when you arrived at the Banana Boat.”
“Oh my gosh, it’s true,” Terrance said, as he looked into his stepfather’s eyes. “You ARE JeffRa. That’s why I couldn’t find you in the field. You weren’t studying the sparrows, you were spying on the Waters, preparing your plan of attack to kill them.”
Keeping the blaster pointed at the group, Cimbor’s red hair began to turn grey. A deep scar appeared down the right side of his face. His shoulders slumped forward and his fingers became knurled. Now standing before them was Jeffrey Landers, but an older, war weary version showing the many scars and injuries of the battles he had fought. “I guess there is no reason to hide my identity anymore.”
Unable to believe her eyes, Europa tightly squeezed Terrance’s hand as Cimbor turned into his father, Jeffrey Landers. She knew emotions of love, hate, anger, resentment, astonishment and disbelief had to be racing through Terrance as he tried to come to terms with the now undisputable truth of who his father was.
“So that’s how you’ve been getting through my security,” Jeanip said, amazed at JeffRa’s supposedly impossible transformation. “How did you do it? We cannot alter our appearance when we transform into a human. And we certainly can’t purposely transform to look like someone else. How were you able to completely change your appearance and transform into Cimbor? Plus, you’re a Terrian. Even transformed into a Waters, such as Cimbor, you’re still a Terrian, not a Waters. The security grid should have picked you up the moment you stepped foot on Water’s land.”
“What is the matter, Jeanip, worried you are getting too old to install a proper security screening grid? Wondering how I beat your ‘unbeatable’ security plan?” JeffRa laughed. “I would be delighted to tell you. You might not want to accept this fact, Jeanip, but I am first and foremost a Waters. I am a Waters AND a Terrian. I have had thousands of years to rebuild and strengthen my Waters’ DNA. I have devoted my life to it. That, plus fulfilling my oath to eradicate Oonocks and the royal family from the universe. Your security grid did not detect me because I am Waters. And, as such, I can easily step foot upon this sanctuary you and my brother built.” JeffRa relished the look of surprise on Jeanip’s face. “As for being able to alter my appearance, that took some doing. It took me fi
fteen hundred years to learn how to trick my cells to transform into someone that did not look like me. I realized after our last battle that the only way I could ever get close to the royal family was to look like someone else. I had planned on transforming into one of the Banana Boat’s crew, but then young, over-ambitious Cimbor gave me the break I needed. When he came to your rescue I had no trouble capturing him and his boat. The boat’s instruments told me from where he came from, so I simply transformed into him and retraced his steps. Luckily, you arrived shortly after I did so I did not have much explaining to do. It did not take much to attach myself to your team. But then, Jeanip, you never left their side. You would not even take a shower so I could enter the brat’s bathroom and finish her. And, to make matters worse, two of your team came aboard and Enok’s children were constantly protected. I feared I would have to try to take the two brats out in front of you. But then you actually asked me to join your team and travel with the youngsters to Saint’s Isle? Can you imagine my amazement and amusement? I knew all the preparations I had done over the centuries would now pay off and there would be no one to stop me.” JeffRa surveyed the structure, pleased at what he believed would be his new home.
“Why do you hate us so much?” Europa asked. “What have I ever done to you?”
“You were born. That is your crime,” JeffRa screamed, a deep look of loathing and hatred etched upon his face. “You are the daughter of my brother, Enok and his so-called life’s mate.”
“Earon, I need you to take Europa and Terrance inside the house. JeffRa cannot reach you there once the door is closed and the walkway withdrawn,” Jeanip instructed, keeping his weapon and his gaze upon JeffRa.
“But how?” Europa asked.
“The golden ship inside your mother’s diary. That is the key,” Jeanip answered, maintaining his watch on JeffRa. “Insert it in the ship-shaped key hole in the right pillar. A platform will appear. When the door asks you to announce yourselves, simply say ‘Emergency Waters Tiree’. The doors will open and you can go inside. Seemon and I will keep JeffRa from following you. Hurry!”
Europa had forgotten about Seemon who stood a few feet away from them, her weapon also aimed at JeffRa. Europa looked around for her backpack where the dairy was contained. She didn’t see it. And then she remembered. Cimbor had insisted he carry it for her. As she looked at JeffRa, she saw her backpack slung over his left shoulder.
“I do not have it, Jeanip,” Europa said, almost in a whisper.
“What do you mean you do not have it?” Jeanip yelled. “Where is it?”
“Cimbor took it from me when I got off the boat. He wanted to carry it,” Europa replied, continuing to stare at her backpack, realizing she had been tricked.
“My, my, things really are not going your way today, are they My Lady?” JeffRa laughed, raising the backpack into the air. “Looks like I will be going in after you all leave. Thanks for telling me how to get inside, Jeanip. And let me assure you, I will truly enjoy my new home and island. In fact, you have made this place so impenetrable, I might just take up the conquest of these puny humans again.”
“Saint’s Isle will never be yours, JeffRa. And I promise you will not leave here alive,” Jeanip shouted.
JeffRa laughed, and then fired his weapon at Jeanip. Pain shot through his body as he fell onto the ground in front of the three, amazed he was still alive. Then he heard a low hum and turned to see Europa holding the Orb. A light was radiating from her and shrouding them in a protective shield. She had not been quick enough to repel all of JeffRa’s weapon’s charge, but she was able to repel most of it. Her quick actions had once again saved Jeanip’s life.
“Our little human is full of surprises, is she not?” JeffRa grinned, his eyes beginning to glow redder. “I see your whore of a mother passed on her powers to you before she died. No matter, I can wait. I have waited thousands of years to get my revenge so a few more hours will not matter. You cannot keep that field up forever. You will grow tired and it will collapse. And since you have put up such a valiant attempt, I will allow you to die last. You can watch your brother and your two protectors die before you. But you are not the only one with a trick or two up their sleeve, are they Terrance?” JeffRa looked at his son and smiled. “You have done a great job, Son, pretending to be their friend. I could not have made it this far without your help and surveillance. The identification of which room was Europa’s bedroom was especially beneficial, since it enabled us to eliminate most of Jeanip’s soldiers. Likewise, relaying to me Chancee’s message to Jeanip allowed me to know their travel time frames. Come here and join me while I complete my revenge, Terrance. Together we will put an end to their family and then together we will enter our new home.”
A horrified look came across Europa’s face as she maintained her stare at JeffRa, afraid that if she looked at Terrance she would lose her concentration. “You are with him?” she asked, barely able to say the words.
“No, Europa, he’s lying,” Terrance quickly yelled. “I’m not part of his plan. He’s trying to distract you so you will lose your concentration and the force field will fail.” Turning to look directly at JeffRa he said, “Tell her you’re lying!”
“Now, Son,” JeffRa said in a calm voice. “I would if it were true, but we both know you have been in on this charade since the very beginning.”
Suddenly Europa heard a voice inside her mind. It was Jeanip. Somehow he was able to make her hear his words. “Do not listen to JeffRa’s lies, Europa. Trust in Terrance. He is your quanish. He has not and will not betray you. Believe in him. He will save you.”
“Don’t call me ‘Son’. I am no son of yours,” Terrance yelled. “And you are sadly mistaken if you think I will allow you to kill the woman I love.”
“Oh my,” JeffRa laughed sarcastically. “You have gone and fallen in love with her. Those Waters’ women do have charms that are hard to resist. I know that from experience.” The look on JeffRa’s face changed from sarcasm to one of disdain. “Terrance, I do not wish to kill you, but if you stand with her I will not hesitate to end your life here today when I end theirs.”
“You will be the only one whose life will end today,” came a voice from behind the left column. JeffRa stepped sideways to see who had spoken the words while still keeping an eye on the five behind the shield. As he watched out of the corner of his eye, Enok stepped from behind his hiding place and faced JeffRa.
“Why if it is not my big brother,” JeffRa said, trying to keep a startled look from showing on his face. “I did not expect you to be here. But I am glad you are. Now you can watch me fulfill that promise I made to you the day you exiled me to Ganymede.”
“Why do you not answer Europa’s question on why you hate us so much?” Enok asked, staring hard at JeffRa. “Why do you not tell her, and yourself, the truth, Brother? Tell her why you REALLY hate me!”
“Because you do not deserve to live,” JeffRa yelled. “I was the better Waters, the better ship builder, but you got all the credit. You got everything and I got nothing”
“That is not the reason, JeffRa, you know it,” Enok replied.
“You were father’s number one son. I was nothing to him.”
“Tell her the REASON,” Enok demanded.
“You were my big brother. I looked up to you. And once you became the future monarch you forgot all about me.”
“TELL HER!” Enok yelled. “Stop lying to her, to me and to yourself. For once admit the truth!”
“Because you took away from me the only female I ever loved,” JeffRa screamed, his face raging with hate, his eyes glowing red as if on fire. “Medaron was to be MY life’s mate, not yours. When I went to finalize our union with her father I had no knowledge she had been bound to you and you two would soon become life-mates. All that I knew was she had given me her promise of love and commitment. She and I had made plans for our future, for our children
. But when you found out about us you could not stand the thought of me having something better than you, so you offered her something I could never give her – the title of Supreme Monarch. She wanted power more than she wanted me. So she let me disgrace myself by going to see her father, knowing all along she was bound to you. He laughed in my face!”
“She did not know, JeffRa,” Enok said, a sound of regret and sorrow in his voice. “Enoquin and Medaron’s father made the agreement without either Medaron or I knowing anything about it. It was you she loved, and you know I had plans to unite with Biireena. We were all sabotaged by our fathers and forced to honor the signed agreement. Medaron had no choice but to become my life’s mate.”
“You expect me to believe that?” JeffRa asked. “If that is true, why did she not tell me, spare me the disgrace and humiliation?”
“How could she, JeffRa?” Enok answered, hoping his brother would finally see the truth. “As soon as you found out you disappeared and started gathering your army to destroy the two of us. Come on, Little Brother, think! You knew Medaron too well to believe she would have intentionally hurt you. She cared deeply for you. She had a special place in her heart that was reserved only for you. Not even her eventual love for me was able to erase that. It grieved her greatly the day you turned against her.”
“I am not a fool, Enok. You do not try to kill someone you love,” JeffRa screamed back.
“What else could she do, JeffRa? You led an army against us on Europa. Here on Earth you tried to kill me. Then several weeks ago you tried to assassinate our daughter. You gave her no choice but to end your life.”
“If she still loved me or not is of no consequence,” JeffRa yelled. “I came to hate you more than her. You always promised me you would watch out for me, you would protect me. You abandoned me and sent me to that hell to live.”
“What choice did I have?” Enok asked. “You had just killed our sister and you were plotting our destruction.”
“I never killed Quinsong,” JeffRa immediately stated, a look of sorrow crossing his face momentarily. “I loved my sister deeply. She surprised us in the hall and one of my soldiers panicked and shot her. I made sure it was the last thing he ever did. I tried to help her, but she ran away, ran away to you and father.”
“I gave you a chance at life on Ganymede,” Enok stated. “Father wanted me to execute you, to have you flow out onto rock so you would cease to exist for eternity.”
“A chance at life?” JeffRa laughed a cold, menacing laugh, his look of sorrow transforming to a look of disdain and loathing. “What kind of life was there on Ganymede? You left us there with little food, no weapons, and no supplies. A quarter of my men were slaughtered by the wildlife in the first two days. Sickness soon took a good share, too. I will not even tell you what the natives did to us.”
“You lie! I sent a supply ship with you,” Enok stated. “There were knives and simple weapons. I could not trust you with powerful ones but I did not leave you defenseless. There were lanterns, blankets, hammers and tools, cooking supplies plus plenty of food and medicines.”
“Now who is lying, Brother?” JeffRa snickered. “The only thing we got when we were dropped on Ganymede was one large sack of food and one jug of water. One jug for hundreds of Oonocks.”
“I did not abandon you, Brother,” Enok said. “I did order the supplies to go with you. Plus, I sent a supply ship every month for the first three months. I had to stop sending them when none of them returned. We assumed you were attacking them.”
“Attacking them?” JeffRa asked. “We could not attack what we never saw. Besides, within the first week of arriving on Ganymede we were captured by the Terrians and placed in torture camps.”
“Captured?” Enok repeated, not sure if he should believe his brother or not. JeffRa’s account of his exile on Ganymede was very different from what he had been led to believe. “I was under the impression you overthrew their leader and became head Terrian.”
JeffRa looked at his brother and laughed. “Does this look like I easily became their leader?” JeffRa asked, ripping his shirt open to reveal thousands of cuts and gashes across his upper body. Enok’s eyes filled with tears as he realized the pain and suffering his brother endured at the hands of the Terrians. For the first time he saw the truth.
“As they cut the flesh off my body it was your name I screamed, Enok, not hers. I wanted to never forget who was really responsible for the pain. Each cut rendered made me hate you more, and the more I hated you the more I was determined to survive to have my revenge on you,” JeffRa reiterated, his eyes turning red once again. “The only thing that saved my life and the lives of my fellow Oonocks who were still alive, was the fact we were able to transform into other creatures. One day, when I could take no more pain I somehow found the strength to transform into a Zinbar. I was able to kill several of the Terrians before my strength ran out. When the Terrians saw what I had done, we were set free. Evidently, they thought we were their sky gods from their ancient legends. Not wishing to anger their gods, we were exalted above all and from that time on treated very well. Knowing the only way I could seek revenge was to get off Ganymede, my soldiers and I took advantage of the Terrians idolization and led the Terrians to victories over the surrounding tribes. Eventually, I was able to incorporate the tribes into a large army. With their help and our superior knowledge, we built several ships to take us away from that hell of a planet.”
“I am so sorry, JeffRa,” Enok said, clearly shaken by JeffRa’s tale. “I had no idea you endured so much.”
“Save your sympathy, Enok,” JeffRa yelled at Enok. “I do not want it.”
“No, you only want revenge,” Earon said, still safe within Europa’s shield. “My father was not responsible for what happened to you. You did it to yourself.”
“Ah, young Earon. I must say you do look a lot like your brother, Tiree. Did you know I killed him the last time your father and I met? Is it not ironic that after all these years when we meet again I will be able to take his other son’s life, along with his daughter’s?” JeffRa basked in the thought of killing the two young monarchs, then his thoughts turned to the past. “So you think your father has no responsibility in this matter, young Earon? Let me tell you what your father is responsible for. A time came when I DID abandon my revenge. I had joined with a female Oonock-Terrian who was able to make me forget my former life, who was able to wipe the memory of your mother from my heart for a while and, as a result, my lust for revenge began to subside. Our union was blessed with twin males. On the day of their birth I abandoned my hate and decided to dedicate my life to their happiness and upbringing. For the first time in my life, I was content and looked forward to a better life, a life free of hate. But your father was not going to allow me that life. One day when I was away, trying to find a better place for the Terrians to live, your father attacked our village and set off the magnetic pulse from the moon IO we had been working on as a new energy source. Jupiter imploded, destroying itself and blasting Ganymede. When I returned to our village, all I found left of my mate and sons were their charred bones.” JeffRa turned and stared at Enok. “From that day on, Brother, I lived only to see you suffer the same loss I did – the death of your mate and your children.”
“JeffRa, I never attacked your village,” Enok said.
“Do not lie, Enok,” JeffRa screamed, his rage rising. “We found the remains of an Oonock ship not far from our village, a royal family’s ship. Only you have the power to authorize the sailing of that ship.”
“Oh my gosh!” Enok said, a horrible realization forming in his mind. “Enoquin.” Enok looked directly into JeffRa’s eyes. “Father and Mother went to Ganymede to see you at Mother’s insistence. She was dying and demanded to see you before she flowed into the waters. Father insisted upon accompanying her. I knew he still hated you tremendously and feared he was up to something, but if he w
as, I could not discover it. He must have gone there with the sole purpose of carrying out your execution and somehow caused Jupiter’s destruction in his attempt to do so.”
“Is that not convenient to blame it on Father? But I do not care whose fault it was, Enok,” JeffRa shouted. “My mate and sons are gone either way. You were the Head Monarch. It was your ship. You and you alone were responsible. And you, along with your people, will pay for it.” With that said, JeffRa fired his weapon, hitting a surprised Enok in the chest. Enok was knocked backwards and fell over the cliff to the ocean below.
“No!” screamed Europa, as she watched her father disappear over the edge. The shock of seeing her father shot was enough to break her concentration and the security shield collapsed. JeffRa immediately seized the opportunity and fired his weapon at Europa, Terrance and Earon. Seemon leaped in front of the monarchs and took the blast, dying instantly. Before JeffRa could discharge his weapon again, Terrance fired the Terrian weapon he had removed from his backpack, hitting a startled JeffRa in his bare chest. JeffRa looked down to see purple blood pouring from the hole Terrance’s weapon had blasted into his chest. He raised his head to look at his son as he stumbled backwards, tittering on the edge of the cliff.
“Terrance, why?” JeffRa asked, amazed the son he had loved would be the one to end his life.
“Because she is my life,” Terrance answered his father, tears beginning to run down his cheeks.
“Then I will meet you in hell,” JeffRa said, raising his weapon again to fire at the three young travelers.
Everything happened so fast Europa did not have time to reform the security barrier. She grabbed Earon’s and Terrance’s hands, closed her eyes and waited for her death. Suddenly, there was the sound of rushing water swirling around them. She opened her eyes to see the water from the basin had covered the four in a protective shield. She could see a stunned JeffRa on the other side staring at the water in terror.
JeffRa stared at the new barrier in disbelief, wondering what was happening. He had fired his weapon but the blast had simply dissipated when it hit the water barrier. As he watched, the front of the water barrier began to swirl and materialize into a figure. To his horror and amazement, standing before him was Medaron.
“Medaron,” JeffRa whispered, not believing his eyes. “This cannot be.”
“Why not? You created me the day you killed me and I flowed into the waters,” came a voice from the water figure. “Enok told you the truth, JeffRa. I had no idea my father promised me to Enok. It was you I loved, that I wanted to spend my life with. But your hate destroyed that love just as it destroyed you. I will not allow it to destroy my children or my brother. Your bloody revenge ends today.”
Medaron rushed him, a huge wall of water crashing upon him, knocking him over the cliff’s edge. As JeffRa fell, Enok the whale leaped up out of the water and grabbed him securely in his teeth, burying them deep into JeffRa’s flesh. As JeffRa screamed in pain, the two brothers plunged into the ocean where Graybin, Runbee and several other Waters waited. They clasped restraining bands onto JeffRa’s wrists to keep him from transforming into another being. Then they took the severely injured JeffRa from Enok’s mouth and stuffed him into a clear box that was filled with air. Enok transformed into an octopus and wrapped his arms around the box, clutching it securely as he swam down to the bottom of the ocean. Now in his element, Enok transformed into his true self and carried the encased JeffRa to a hole he had secretly carved into the side of the cliff. He placed the box inside the black hole, a hole that would be JeffRa’s final resting place.
“I cannot allow you to flow out into the waters where you will have access to all that the ocean holds,” Enok told his brother. “You have beat death too many times to allow that. The atrocities you have committed against our people and my family are unforgivable. Today I AM your judge and executioner, although it gives me no pleasure. For your crimes I sentence you, Dear Brother, to eternity locked in this box, hidden here in the darkness, alone and forgotten. I sentence you to die in there, retaining the shape of the body you inhabit today. I sentence you to the realization that I live and my children live. You have failed in your quest for vengeance to destroy my family. We live on. The Oonock race lives on. But my brother does not. He died thousands of years ago, the same day my innocent sister did. And know this, as you slip away into nothingness - I loved him very much.”
With tears in his eyes, Enok picked up several large rocks and covered the hole, cementing them together with a laser tool he had left there for that purpose. Thus, JeffRa was entombed for all time at the bottom of the world, sealed behind a wall of rock, alone in darkness. As Enok swam away from JeffRa’s tomb, he heard him scream one word: “Enok.” And then there was silence.