CHAPTER 1-1: Time Passes
Spain, 1510
The one known as Adan looked out of his ornate home. Outside, the hum of children and adults alike signified the time of day when the Roman Catholic people would go to the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral and worship their god. According to the century - old religious law, all citizens were required to go.
But he didn't like rules very much.
Giving a furtive look outside the windows, he crept back into his house onto one of his many carefully woven carpets. He then, still watching the windows, lifted the carpet to reveal a small trap door. He opened the door and slid in, careful to cover it with carpet again.
He appeared in a small room - his workshop. There were tables lining the place, with various objects such as saws, hammers, every type of nail, every type of silk color, and even silk itself. There were other things, of course, but it has been such a long time that he had lost track of what was down here a long while ago.
He crept towards a small desk with a quill pen and ink. His writing desk, one he used to send messages all over the globe, all the time. However, he didn't want to write right now. He instead took a small piece of parchment that lay next to his blank pages, one that looked crude and had hard - to - read handwriting. He looked over it for what seemed like the hundredth time:
May 20, 1506
My savior,
14 years ago I said I was going to die. I guess I was right. The doctors...they said they cannot do anything more to help me. I have pains all over my body, and every breath is like fire. But, at least, there is some light in this dark time.
I...found it. After all these years, the objective is finally safe. The fate of the world is finally secured. I sent it to you in the brown box laced with red silk. You can protect it now, since I did my end of the deal.
I grow tired...this will be the last anyone ever hears from me. There are only hours of my life that remain, so I must say one more thing: you know what I said when I left on my fourth voyage to the new world as a way of saying goodbye, "Although my body is here my heart is always near you"?
Well, I guess, I can say that about you too.
When I was lost, when I was considered the mad man who had crazy dreams, you showed me the way. You were the one who gave me something to live for, something that would mean something in the far future. You said I could save the world.
I love you like a brother. And for all I know, you could have been another one of my brothers.
I wish you a long life, one I was not given. And...I thank you for all this. I couldn't have done this without you.
Farewell,
Christopher Columbus
Adan set down the letter, a small tear in his eye. He hadn't known Columbus was dead until 10 months later, when the doctors found the note in his hospital room. When he was given the letter, he never forgave himself.
He was so ignorant. He didn't deserve to be called a savior. The world was in danger and he neglected the one being that was supposed save it. As a result, the person who watched the turn of events has to take that burden.
However he couldn't think about that now; he had another thing to ponder about.
He walked over to another table, one that had a small wooden box that was lined with ornate red colored silk. Carefully, he un - weaved the silk around a small handle attached to the box. After he did that, he took the handle and pulled, sliding the lid off the box.
He reached in and picked up a curious item - a small golden pocket watch. This had to be the so - called "objective" that Columbus gave his life to recover. To any other person, it may just seem like another gold plated artifact, but it was just the opposite. Inside the watch, lies the key to unlocking the biggest tomb that ever existed. Its existence was kept a secret by those who were here before humans, and in turn was kept hidden by a select few who understood its importance for countless decades. However, that will change in 540 years.
He looked at another object on the table, a map of the entire world. He looked at the regions that were marked, correspondingly, with red and white laced silk. Oceana, Europe, Canada, and South America laced with white; Asia, The rest of North America, Africa, and Central America laced with red.
He wondered what events would take place, what distant humans would guard the watch, what secrets that the world would struggle to keep hidden for eons to come, and what fate the world will suffer if something bad happens. A lot of good can happen in that time span, and a lot of things can also go wrong.
But one thing must happen if earth is going to survive; one thing the whole world must know if the future shall live in peace and harmony.
On January 1, 2050, the whole world must know about the tomb of the Toa.
Egypt, 1923
Howard Carter felt his way along the stone walls of the tomb. He could hardly breathe; either from the excitement of finally being in the tomb of the fabled King Tutankhamen or from the overabundance of sand and dust in the air.
Probably Both.
He was very careful not to disturb any more dust piles than he could handle as he navigated the tomb. He was here once, a mere year ago, with the rest of his team. He can always remember the things that happened.
He broke a small portion of the doorway and a lit candle inside the tomb was showing the vastness of the space.
Hieroglyphics and artwork was shown through the dim light.
His team asked him, "Can you see anything?"
"Yes", he said, "wonderful things."
Wonderful things indeed.
What his team didn't know was that he was planning to come back one year later in the dead of night...and finish what he started with the door.
He already had a backup door that was near-identical to the old one to cover his tracks. And, as a fail - safe, he made sure that whoever approached the door got a nasty headache. He still grinned at the thought of hitting someone with knock - out gas.
After venturing through more of the tomb, he eventually found another door, along with some ornate markings of jackals and pharaohs. With a little force, he easily opened it. After he dusted himself off, he scanned the room for anything of importance.
Then, he saw it.
The coffin of King Tut.
He took two latex gloves out of his pack, applying them to his hand. Then, he carefully and steadily moved the lid of the coffin off the top, making sure it didn't break. Then, he marveled at the tiny figure of the boy king that live here for more than three - thousand years.
However, he was more interested in what he was holding in his hand. Some clever person applied it on the mummy for safekeeping, no doubt, but whoever did it probably didn't think someone would ever find it. He grabbed it, trying not to break the fragile bone, replaced the coffin lid, and ran back to the entrance. He applied the fake door on the open entrance then ran as fast as he could across the Valley of the Kings.
He arrived at the small hotel he checked into the previous night. He was greeted by the clerk at the front desk.
"How was your trip, sir?" He said.
Howard was careful not to reveal much of his excited emotion. "It went well," He simply replied. Then he ran up to his room and celebrated his victory...very loudly. The entire hotel could quite literally hear all his rambling, and the clerk smiled in amusement.
To the clerk, Howard was just an ordinary person who had a great time. However, that clerk didn't care to see what Carter's hand held.
A tiny, golden pocket watch.
And a map of the whole world, with areas colored red and white.
Sydney, 2042
The figure sat in his chair, impatient. He has waited for this meeting for a long time, and now he was anxious to know what his boss had to say.
The small screen in front of him suddenly flickered to life. Another figure stared through the pixels at the other individual.
"Hello, Agent Lambda," the figure in the screen said, "good to see you."
Lambda straightened himself up. "Hello, Alpha. I presume this is about the objective?"
"Yes, Lambda," Alpha said, "It's about the objective. And its guardians."
Lambda flinched at this. He's heard of the guardians before - those who watched and protected the objective with their life. Figures like Christopher Columbus, George Washington, Martin Luther King Jr., Howard Carter...and small figures that faded out in people's memories as fast as they came.
Alpha continued. "According to the tree, you were the next. And you have been protecting the objective for 4 years, correct?"
Lambda nodded. He recalled who gave it to him; Agent Zeta. Before he left to go to America, he trusted the care of the objective to Lambda. Recently, they found out that Zeta died from a disease in his brain. Through thorough research, it was found not to be accidental.
"We need to discuss what it is about, this...objective," Alpha said. "You wonder exactly what its importance is, no?"
Lambda, reluctantly, nodded. "Okay," Alpha continued ,"This is the key to something that was sealed off, never to be seen again. The contents of this...tomb...can save us in our dire time of need. The objective, as it's foretold, must be destroyed on the new year of 2050. It will release energy that can destroy the tomb and release the things trapped within. They are called-" Alpha hesitated before saying, "they are called - the Toa. Master of the elements. They will save us in our time of need."
Lambda, stunned by all the sudden explanation, said, "Why are you telling me this, Alpha, and why now? Also, why so blunt?"
Alpha was quiet for a long time. Then he said, "Because whatever is coming is coming now. I need you to be prepared." Then, as soon as he said that, the screen flickered off.
Lambda was trying to comprehend all the information and thoughts in his head. Toa? What is that? What elements? Why 2050? What energy is released? Where is the tomb? What's going to happen that defies all reasoning?
His thoughts were interrupted by a sound at the door. It almost sounded like...growling
He cautiously went over to the door and creaked it open. He saw nothing but a small piece of paper on the ground. He picked it up and saw writing on it. What it said nearly stopped his heart.
If you defy the will of a king, then your future will be worse than it already is.
He knew immediately what that meant.
He ran to his room, fearing the worse, and saw that the door has been knocked off its hinges. He then entered to see everything, his documents, his supplies, his contact materials - all knocked down and some destroyed. He looked around the room furiously to see if anything was taken. He struggled to remember what was in there, but then, he realized with dread what he couldn't find.
The pocket watch was gone.
And so was the map.
Present Day
Ten minutes to 2050.
The automated voice spoke out to the only being in the house.
The figure sat on her couch, hoping to wait out the ten minutes in peace. She picked up a small object, a gold plated pocket watch, from her lap. She gripped it in her hands. Soon, this little thing will change the world. She recalled what happened in the past 7 years; War, Famine, Death, and the rise of two mighty armies that show no sign of giving cease-fire. That will all change soon.
She looked to her right and saw her best friend, a golden retriever. Funny. A golden retriever retrieving a golden watch. And that growl...icing on the sweet revenge cake. Carter should have left that watch with the king. The entire world was nearly in peril and he stole the only thing that would stop it. He paid the price; they all did.
Five minutes to 2050.
The figure gripped the watch a little harder. The dog went to his master, whimpering, when she started to sweat. She had to carry this burden for seven years, and now it will finally be lifted. The tomb of the Toa will be opened.
But that isn't why she was sweating. What if this goes wrong? What if the legends were a lie, if the Toa fail at their mission? She couldn't comprehend all this. She couldn't afford it, time wise or mentally.
One minute to 2050.
The dog and her tensed up upon hearing that message. She gripped the watch harder; the dog left the room and started pacing.
Thirty seconds to 2050.
She took a small glass of wine - her celebratory drink - and raised it into the air. "I'd like to make a toast," she said to herself, "to new beginnings. To a new era of human history."
Ten seconds to 2050.
She drank a large gulp. She held the golden watch, knowing what she had to do.
Zero seconds to 2050. Happy new year.
"Happy new year, indeed." she said.
She dropped the watch and put her foot on it. Then, she stomped as hard as he could.
Lifting her foot, she saw what was left of the watch. Just a bunch of broken gears and shattered glass. There was one thing she knew at that moment.
Thousands of miles away, something reacted.