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Final Fantasy VI: The Sands of Time
Book 1: The Beginning
Chapter 6 - Omens of the Past
Part 6.3 - Miracles
The three ships had left the tranquility of Bariki behind, and were now moving forward towards Phoenix Isle. Guided by Jehad in the Order's ship, Bismark's and Levi's ships followed in close formation, not daring to lose sight of the only guide they had. Only the Order knew the exact location of the island, and only the Nacre in Jehad's possession could guide them safely to it. The men of science aboard Bismark's ship scoffed at the idea of a piece of jewelry acting like a compass, but they respected Jehad's beliefs, and knew they didn't have much choice but to follow his lead.
Being situated so close to the Mordic Ocean, it was dangerous to stray off the exact course mapped by the Nacre's guiding light, or risk getting stuck in the nearby ocean's strangely dead waves. Indeed, even the surrounding waters that encompassed the Phoenix Isle were normally too weak for a sailing vessel like Bismark's Maiden of the Sea to traverse without an engine like Levi's ship and the Order's ship had. Luckily there was a strong wind and even a current moving in the right direction, so Bismark was able to keep up with the other ships. Jehad said that the power of the Nacre temporarily lifted the curse of the Mordic, allowing safe and swift passage to the Phoenix Isle. This was how ships navigated the voyage in the days before engines, or so Jehad claimed. Bismark and his men simply smiled and indulged the man in his beliefs upon hearing this fairy tale.
Soon they neared the island, much to the surprise of the scientists, who had to admit the voyage was surprisingly smooth and on course despite the dubious method of guidance. Maybe there was something to this Order after all. Maybe.
"So how are we supposed to get on that rock, anyways?" Bismark said from the wheel of the Maiden as the island came into view. "It's nothing but sheer cliffs all the way around as far as I can tell."
"More magic jewels, I suppose," Alex commented from Bismark's side.
"Hmph," Bismark grunted, "We'll see."
Bismark's assumption was right. Phoenix Isle was not much more than a straight-faced mountain jutting out of the sea, with no shores or safe harbors to be found on any side. From their current distance, the island looked more than a little intimidating, with cliffs of volcanic rock rising high out of the ocean and myriad crags of rock poking out from the waters at the islands base. The waves crashed fearfully against the fortress walls of the island sending sprays of white foam in all directions, and no ship, not even the Narsillian-made ship of metal piloted by the Order, would be able to get anywhere near the island. So just how was Jehad going to land?
"Look at that!" Indie gasped as he and Silas came up on deck to join the other two scientists as they waited for Jehad's miracle landing. "The clouds above the island! My charts showed that there would be no dangerous weather on this trip, but that cloud formation is as full of ill-will as any I've ever seen. Just look at those twisting plumes spiraling out from the center. It looks like a miniature hurricane forming over the island as we speak!"
Indeed, there was a storm system unlike any Indie had ever seen rapidly congealing out of the clouds above the island. It was black, bloated and full of menace, and looked about ready to unleash hell on the defenseless ships approaching it.
Just as Bismark was about to order the crew to prepare for a storm, though, something happened that would once again make the scientists question Jehad's silly superstitions. The storm simply stopped. The black fingers snaking out suddenly contracted and disappeared inside the clouds black body. The cloud itself shrunk and turned several shades grayer, approaching the look of a more normal storm cloud. In a few moments, the cloud had contracted to a much more manageable puff of smoke, and was no longer the latent threat it once was. Something had defeated the storm, but what?
"The damnedest thing..." was all Bismark could mutter as he scratched his head in bewilderment.
"That was...impossible..." Silas said, equally flabbergasted. "Maybe..maybe we hit the storm just as it was ending?" he added, with a hopeful, but not quite believing note.
Indie, on the other hand, was positively ecstatic. "Would you look at that! I knew I was right in deciding to come here! Hah! Just imagine the data I can gather once we get right under that cloud. Assuming we can actually get onto that island. I can't wait!"
"Hmm...I don't know." Now Alex spoke up from his usual pensiveness, not quite as stunned as the others. "If this really is an undersea volcano that has recently risen from the ocean under extreme eruptive forces, then that cloud may be the remnants of the initial eruption. Volcanic events are well-known to create most unusual atmospheric phenomena. Sorry Indie, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if that was just a lingering after effect from the eruption that brought this island back to the surface."
Alex's assessment seemed to bring the others back down to earth, but all four men still felt like what they had just seen was not quite...normal. And if they could have seen what was happening on the Order's vessel, they might not have agreed with Alex's theory so quickly.
On the Order's ship a few moments earlier, Jehad had walked out to the front of the ship to witness the strange storm just as Bismark and his crew had. Jehad had been warned in advance of the many dangers awaiting him on the Phoenix Isle, and thanks to the Elder's detailed instructions, he knew how to navigate them and reach his goal. The secret path of wind opened by the Nacre was the first obstacle, this guardian storm was next.
Reciting the ancient words his Elder had made him memorize, he took the Nacre from his neck and held it out to the sky, much like the Offering it was. The storm seemed to sense his presence, and a single black tendril changed direction and began to worm its way towards the ship. Before it could reach the ship, Jehad finished the incantation with a yell of "Al-Aqualem!" and the entire cloud froze. A single small pulse of light shot from the Nacre and ascended into the heart of the storm cloud faster than anyone but Jehad could see. The cloud instantly shuttered and contracted, as if struck by a fatal arrow, and began its remarkable transformation witnessed by the men of the Maiden.
"Thank you...for your blessing...Mistress of Water." Jehad gasped, visibly shaken by the short, but profound ritual. Now was not the time to give into fatigue, and Jehad knew he must immediately began the next incantation to allow for safe transit onto the island.
Now he took the Nacre and placed it on the floor of the ship. He took from his robes a small pouch and emptied its contents - ordinary dirt - onto the Nacre, while reciting the third of the incantations he had memorized. This time he yelled out "Al-Gianon!" and fell to the deck exhausted just as the last specks of earth hit the Nacre. The effects of his trial were quickly apparent to all members of all three ships.
A deathly silence fell around the ships, and nothing could be heard for miles. The wind had stopped, the waves had stopped, and even the motors of the ships had ceased. Only one thing could now be heard - a soft hum, growing from nothing into a steady vibration that shook the ships and caused ripples to form on the surrounding waters. The hum grew to a rumble, and from a rumble to a roar. Now not only the ships shook, but even Phoenix Island itself could be seen to visibly tremble. The roar continued to rise into a screeching howl as the sound of rocks being ripped and torn apart filled the air. A narrow chasm was slowly widening in the cliffs directly in front of where the Order's ship waited. Water gushed into the new opening and soon a perfectly straight pathway had been hewn into what was formerly a sheer cliff wall. It was the perfect size and height for a single ship to pass through, and the Order's ship wasted no time in heading into the maw of the Phoenix.
Bismark's ship carefully followed them in, not quite sure what had just happened, but blaming "unusual seismic aftershocks" as the likely cause, albeit half-heartedly. The succession of amazing coincidences that seemed to be opening up one path after another for them was slowly but surely wearing away at the rock-hard foundation of science and logic the men aboard the Maiden had built the careers on.
On board the Golden Goddess, Captain Jonah Levi had not been ignorant of what was happening. He too was standing outside, watching the miracles being performed by Jehad, although he had no room in the dank, gold-filled corridors of his mind to be impressed by the parlor tricks performed by the Order's court jesters. That Jehad had found a way into the island, and would surely find a way into the Nacropolis, and beyond, was just a matter of course. He wouldn't have started this foolish ceremony otherwise. It wasn't for Levi to account for these phenomena, only to follow the Order into their citadel, and take whatever he could find. All under the guise of knowledge-seeking, of course. He too gave the order to follow the ship into the chasm, a malevolent glint of greed in his eyes.
After a dark journey through the underbelly of the island, the three ships emerged into a world very different than any man of science would have predicted. The men of the Maiden had assumed there would be no life on this island, having been completely submerged under miles of water for a century. This was a purely logical conclusion, and as obvious as the idea that water would be wet.
However, what greeted their eyes upon exiting a small cave on the interior wall of the island's central mountain was a lost world filled with both flora and fauna unknown to the outside world. The sheer abundance of greenery dazzled the men, and they swore they could feel the very pulse of life emanating from the foliage that covered and re-covered every square inch of the land. Grass upon grass, flowers upon flowers, and trees upon trees filled their view, with no path through them to be seen. The scent of a hundred different blossoms filled their noses, causing more than a few sneezes before they could grow accustomed to the strong, pure scent of life at its fullest. Here was a tropical paradise rising from the ashes of a volcanic maw.
As the three boats drifted lazily down the narrow river that flowed from the mouth of the cave, the men of the Maiden looked around them to see just where they were. Surely this could not still be the desolate dry landmass they had spied from the outside? But surely it was. They could see high above them on all sides the distant lips of the volcanic crater that dominated the island. They were inside the crater now, and they were obviously not alone.
Just as the plant life had bombarded their sight and smell upon entering the crater, the sounds of many bizarre animals now reached the ears, filling the forests around them with a cacophony of noise. Loud roars of great beasts mingled with the incessant buzzes of millions of insects. Fish could be seen and heard splashing in and out of the water as their ships disturbed them. Birds of all sizes could be seen erupting from the treetops as their ships passed by, cawing and squawking at the strange intruders who dared step foot on their territory. There were also sounds of living things that no man aboard the Maiden could put even a general name to. Bird, beast, or bug? Who knew? This was truly a wondrous place, far exceeding the initial expectations that led them here, and they regretted that they did not have more than a few days to study it.
Levi say none of this. He only saw what his eyes, clouded by greed, let him see. What Levi saw was nothing but a wild claptrap of pests to be cleared through and fought past before he could get to something truly valuable. Nature was of no value to him, unless it could be captured and sold as an exotic pet or cure, perhaps? Now his mind expanded on the possibilities for profit, and perhaps that nightmarish landscape inside his head really did see a twisted version of the beauty here, if only through a mirror of avarice.
Jehad was not surprised at the sights around him. These same sights greeted whoever was chosen to come here, and were the very same sights his people had originally enjoyed every day when they called this island their home. Even after millennia of being passed down, the legends of their homeland's beauty had remained strong in the hearts of the Order's devout, and one of the great hopes of the Order was that they may one day return here for more than a few days every hundred years.
But Jehad knew that was impossible as long as the rot at the core of their citadel remained. He was not here today to destroy this decay, only to stay its hand from reaching beyond the island. His only purpose here now was to renew the vows of his people and prove that they had not forgotten their homeland, and their duty to it. He held the Nacre in his hands, glancing over its string of pearls. There were only five pearls still glowing now, the other three had faded to a dull grey luster, nothing more than regular pearls of the sea now. He was almost halfway to his destiny now.
The ships now flowed single file into a small bay sparkling in the bright sun above, where they came to a gentle rest against a sandbar. The storm cloud that had so menaced them from the outside could not be seen from here, and if it was still there at all no one knew, except maybe Jehad. Jehad exited his ship alone, leaving the rest of the crew behind. Bismark, Alex, Indie, and Silas all left the Maiden together, still bewildered at the unexpected environment they found themselves in. Theories flew through the air as they attempted in vain to explain what they were seeing. There was no explaining this paradise, though, and they could only laugh at their own ignorance in the face of the nature's unbridled majesty and mystery.
Levi was the last to leave his ship, but quickly passed the others as he trampled over everything in his path, straight towards Jehad. He knew that Jehad would find the path through this mess just as he had found a path through the water and earth, and he would be right behind him to have the first chance at any spoils he may find. Those fools behind him would be too busy gawking to notice anything of worth, and Jehad was too full of his own beliefs to care about the wealth that may be around him. This would almost be too easy.
Soon Bismark's group caught up with Jehad and Levi, and they couldn't help but voice their amazement to their unlikely guide.
"Jehad! How is all this possible?" Indie ejaculated as soon as he reached the priest. "Life! There's life everywhere! It's scientifically impossible for all this to be here, do you know that?"
Jehad, always serious, merely waved his arm across the forest scene and replied, "It is the work of the Holy Master Altimus. Through his divine grace, life thrives here as it always has, untouched by whatever happens beyond these walls. The world outside could end, and our homeland would remain as it did in ancient times, eternally protected by the Holy Master. Such is his power, and his promise to his devoted followers of Pearl."
This answer was not quite the answer Indie wanted, but it was what he expected. He said no more, but simply smiled, perhaps believing more of what Jehad said than he was willing to admit.
"Well this trip has truly surprised us all, me thinks." Bismark said. "I could spend a lifetime studying the marine life here, but we've only got a few days, so we have to figure out the best way to bring back as much knowledge of this place as we can. I do believe we're the first non-Orders to set foot here, right?"
"That is correct, Captain Bismark," Jehad replied. "You have been offered a rare privilege, and I hope you honor this holy ground. The Holy Master is watching."
"Indeed, indeed," Bismark smiled. "I think I speak for all of us when I say that a hearty respect for nature is a good thing, and something we all believe in, even if we don't quite take up with all this Holy Master guff." Bismark winced and added, "Aah, sorry about that. I meant no disrespect."
Jehad seemed unfazed by Bismark's mistake, and simply nodded. True Belief was not something all men were granted with. He was one of the lucky few to not have to struggle with the question of faith. He believed in himself, and through his own strength he felt the strength and truth of the Holy Master, and knew all he needed to know. He had known all his life.
"Now then! Enough of this jabber. Priest, where is this city you spoke of?" Levi cut in, frustrating with all the standing and gawking being done. "If we only have a few days, then we'd better find this place and do what we came here to do. Let's go already!"
Levi marched ahead of Jehad and made an attempt to guess which way the city lay, but gave up after a few fruitless hacks at the thick tangle of undergrowth. he cursed audibly and turned to Jehad with a look that said "Well? Now what?"
The nervous feeling Jehad had felt at the docks in Bariki once again returned to him as he watched Levi rant and rave. He tried his best to conceal his emotions and simply said, "This way, then."
He once again took the Nacre from his neck and held it out in front of him like a compass. The remaining pearl-lights glimmered, and he turned in the complete opposite direction Levi had begun hacking towards.
"This is the direction the Nacropolis is in. Let us go."
And with that, all six men began pushing, pulling and hacking their way through the dense forest. They frequently stopped to rest and to admire any strange new life they encountered, much to Levi's disgust. Soon they reached a small clearing where eight stone paths branched outwards from a many-armed statue at the center of the clearing. Jehad once again took out the Nacre and determined which path to take. The others were intensely curious what lie down the other paths, but Jehad simply motioned them onward down the path the Nacre indicated. Now was not the time or place for idle excursions.
After a lengthy walk down the stone path, they reached a large stone archway, half crumbled with age. A high wall spread out from the archway on both sides, deep into the brush. Another archway could be seen further down, but only blackness could be seen beyond. Jehad stopped at the first arch, turned to his companions, and said the last thing any of them wanted to hear.
"This is the entrance path the Nacropolis's outer section. Once we pass through this arch and reach the second arch, I must ask all of you to please remain there. You have been allowed onto the Phoenix Isle, but only the chosen bearer of the Offering is permitted to enter the city proper."
This was met with much grumbling from the scientists, especially Silas, who had come here for the express purpose of studying the ancient city.
"This can't be true!" Silas exclaimed. "I have waited my whole life to study the ancient Phoenician civilization! To be denied at its very doorstep is more cruel than I would have thought the Order capable. Surely we can continue a little ways into the city?"
Levi, unexpectedly to the others, agreed with Silas. "Yes! Silas is absolutely right. How dare you drag us all the way out here, only to tell us we can't go any further. We will follow you, one way or the other. You can't stop all of us."
Jehad remained unfazed by their outbursts. "I am truly sorry you were unaware of this, but it is not a law to be broken by us mortals. Only the bearer of the Offering is permitted to enter. Any who try to enter the city without the offering will be...killed." Jehad grimaced at this unsavory word, but continued on. "The Nacropolis is filled with a poisonous mist that will quickly fell even the strongest of man or beast. It has been this way since the Dark Master unleashed his wrath on our people thousands of years ago. No one but the bearer of the Offering may enter the city and survive for long. To follow me would be suicide."
This ominous warning was more than enough for Bismark's group, even Silas...but grudgingly.
"I wonder how long I could make it in short trips..." Silas muttered under his breath, still hoping to at least catch a glimpse of the city's wonders.
Levi, however, was not to be shaken. "I don't believe in your silly stories! I came here for what is behind those walls, and I'm not leaving without a chance to have what's mine. I will follow you, whether you like it or not. If you are able to enter it, then so will I, dammit!"
Jehad did not like this man, but he remained calm and said, "Follow me if you wish, but your fate will be in the hands of the Holy Master alone if you choose to ignore my warning. I must leave now. You may wait for me here, or continue to explore the island. I will hopefully not be more than a day inside, and will return to you then, my mission completed. I bid you all farewell until then."
And with that, Jehad continued onward through the first arch before the others could argue further, eager to embrace his god-given duty. Little did he know there would be no return trip for him, and that it was his own grave he was inexorably heading towards.
