Chapter 3

Ecco listened intently, for he has heard about the war against the Vortex waged on by the Atlanteans, from his first encounter with them. Trellia had no idea as to the significance yet, though she was still determined as Ecco to understand. The water around the Asterite seemed to shift as it began:

It was long ago. Before the Vortex intrusion on the Earth. Atlantis wasn't sunk yet; it was still a grand city built above the sea on an underwater island. The Atlanteans loved life on land, sea and air. In fact, it is said they were the first peoples on the Earth with a clear connection to an amphibious way of life. The gleaming crystals called Glyphs were originally created to keep a record of their civilization. They could only be opened by the sounds of dolphins, the only creatures they respected and valued as friends. All was at such peace that there could have been a millennia-long celebration.

Then, without warning, the 500-year storm came again and tore life from the sea. When the Atlanteans found out what the source of the storm was, they started to build a great defense, such of which could protect them. It was never finished, however.

The sea seemed connected with their distraught. All the dolphins that were the guardians of the gates of Atlantis from the underwater side began to use their great powers of song. The very same power you have, Ecco. All singers had the power at the time.

With the Vortex armada distracted, the Atlanteans powered their machinery and empowered the Glyphs to allow time travel, just in case. There was one dolphin whose duty it was to protect the Glyph library, and the Atlanteans used their power and bestowed unto him the Caller's Song. Using it, the dolphin called all the Glyphs to put a protective barrier around Atlantis; some to defend and some to defect attacks. All was going well, the Vortex army seemed to be retreating. Then the unexpected happened.

The Vortex came back during the night. Determined to get what they wanted--the rich life in the Earth's seas for food--they broke the defense by first releasing a virus on the dolphin guardians and ridding them of their power. They were defenseless to withstand the attack of the Vortex armada. It was then the Atlanteans had another strategy; to travel through time using the Glyphs and scatter their power all through the tri-dimensions of time: Past, Present, and Future. Determined to help, the Glyph-Caller dolphin used the biggest Glyph, which powered all of the machinery, to rid the Earth of the Vortex. The problem was, that action sealed the Atlanteans' fate.

The Glyph Caller used the Caller's Song, gathered all of the Glyphs in one place, and fired a pulse blast onto the Vortex armada. The blast was so strong that it almost ripped the sky and sea apart. All singers lost their power forever. The Vortex retreated for a time and almost ended the war.

To some of the Atlanteans, the Glyph Caller was a hero; but to the elder, he disobeyed direct orders and destroyed the strands of space-time. He was sent away to the open ocean to live. He kept his powers, but it was a grim reminder of his mistake. The singers jeered him and forced him to leave.

He lived in the open ocean for a while, but then decided to return and beg for forgiveness. When he did, he found the Atlanteans defending weakly against the Vortex army. They needed the help of the Glyphs, and only one dolphin could call them. That was he, the Caller. The Atlanteans begged for help, and the Glyph Caller was happy to oblige for the last time. Using the song, he called the Glyphs and prepared for the last blast. Unbeknownst to him, the Atlanteans never meant to include him in their last records left in the Library. They took their Glyph technology and left Atlantis.

Meanwhile, the Glyph Caller was still hard at work. He was maintaining, but very little. The Vortex fired their heaviest blast and sank the continent of Atlantis. The Glyphs were scattered all over the ocean, and the Caller was thrown back against the backdraft unconscious.

When he awoke, the Atlanteans were gone and the city of Atlantis lay below his stomach. He searched all inches, but couldn't find a trace of the Atlanteans; save for one last Glyph, which read: "Space won't falter, the sky stays blue, as long as the Glyphs and their guardian stay within the tides. No matter what the fate."

The Caller was alone. In the sky above, he noticed five stars placed in the heavens at the god's choosing. It was Delphineus, the guardian of the seas and skies. The Caller thought he was no longer needed. He called the last Glyph and used it to seal himself deep within Atlantis, somewhere near the time machine. His descendants wouldn't know for a long time who he was. To this day, the Glyphs always held a mystical power, to help the chosen one fight the Vortex. As long as the balance of power never shifted, the need of the Glyph Caller would never be.

At the end, Ecco and Trellia were equally astonished. "So, somehow, the power has changed..." Ecco began.

"And the world is breaking." Finished Trellia.

Correct, said the Asterite, but there is a little more to it...

"There is more? How so?" asked Ecco.

"Yes, although that doesn't explain as to what that dark cloud was." Trellia pointed out.

Patience, singers... replied the Asterite. There is more, but not that much I can tell. I only told you the background of this event. I still have no idea as to the disappearance of Tiderider, nor do I have an idea as to the destruction of the Glyphs. Even if the Glyph Caller exits this world, the Glyphs' power should hold until the end of time. There is still much to find out.

"That may be all we need to know," said Ecco. "What would you suggest?"

Well...

"Please, Asterite" pleaded Trellia.

As you know, you can't use Trellia to go back to your own time. I can't help because when the Vortex queen dismantled me, part of my powers and memory were lost. The only hope left would be to find Atlantis again.

"Sounds easy enough. Which way is it?" asked Trellia.
The Asterite seemed to shudder at the thought of revealing the answer. The very waters around Ecco and Trellia were tense. I don't know. I told you that some of my memory is gone. I don't even know if there is a trace of Atlantis left in this time.

Of course! Ecco wanted to slam the rock in frustration. This was so far in the future; Atlantis could be gone without a trace. Trellia looked worried.

Don't give up, my singers. If you are determined, you may find the city via the water tubes. No matter what time you are in, where there is hope, there is always a way out of the puzzle.

Ecco looked more determined than ever now. Trellia noted the confidence in his songs that never changed. "Thank you, Asterite. Now, do you have a general direction at least?"

It took every ounce of thought for the Asterite to come up with a guidance answer.

Yes. Use the sky tubes to reach the top of the Earth. From there you should see a great line of fog to the East. Follow it to the Sky of No Return. Don't let the name fool you, no singer has gone there for thousands of years. You should find your unlikely guides there.

"Unlikely guides?" Asked Trellia. She was nervous, for every singer knew the Sky of No Return. She has heard stories of the place ever since she first swam the sky. It was forbidden then. Now the trip seemed necessary.

Go now, little ones. You will break the barrier and save the balance, for I am confident. No time left. Go. The Asterite was tired of talking so much now. The origin of the Asterite is another story entirely, but it was said he was connected to the bringer of life on the planet. If it was hurt, so was he.

Ecco and Trellia left without another word to leave the Asterite at peace. When they were back to the safety of the surface, Trellia and Ecco immediately arose through the water tube. "Trellia, you seem hesitant," Ecco pointed out, "Do you want to come or stay?"

In one part of her mind, Trellia wanted to stay where it was safe. It seemed best; however, she was almost as reckless as her ancestor was. She wanted to come and keep him company and end this mess. Reckless in battle keeps life, this she knew.

"I will come. This may take great help and luck, so at this point hope is the only choice. I am right beside you."

Ecco smiled, mostly at his own kin's bravado. She is much like me, he thought. "Race you to the top, then!" he called. With Trellia close by on his tail, Ecco powered up the tube, heading for whatever was up there.

Ecco and Trellia raced up the sky tube. After hearing the Asterite's story, Trellia wasn't as much in high spirits as Ecco was. He was racing ever higher, at speeds that left the Medusa disoriented. Trellia wasn't too far away from him, and soon enough they were so high it seemed they could touch the sun.

The Earth was but a beautiful work of art with more blue than anything was. Ecco and Trellia stopped for a rest near the top, where they stared in awe and wonder at the great planet below them. Even in the far future the Earth had one unchanged feature; it had unsurpassed beauty within the drab white and orange of the sky.

Silence. Then, "I'm not surprised at all of this. Still so much beauty, still so much to learn." That was Ecco. His voice was filled with confidence as his gaze still stuck to the globe. High in the clouds, even Trellia had to agree with him.

"Ecco, we can't let this world go to waste. I can't even believe how hesitant I was before."

Ecco turned to her. "I agree. You are forgiven for being hesitant. But perhaps it isn't as serious as you think."

Trellia was sure it was, though; she could feel it. How could Tiderider be gone? What was threatening life now? The Asterite wouldn't send them on their way in uncharted territory without reason. Would he?

Ecco read Trellia's worried look and smiled. "We will find this out. No one threatens the future of my kin on MY watch. We still have to find out what happened to Tiderider as well."

Hearing that name made Trellia worried even more. She gave a small squeak, the Delphine sigh. Ecco noticed that and giggled.

"You care for him, do you not?"

Trellia shuddered in surprise, then blushed. "Heh, perhaps..."

Ecco smiled, but shrugged it off. "Don't worry. We'll get him out of wherever he hides." Trellia seemed to accept this, and they both went off together to the top.

Finally Ecco and Trellia reached the top of the Earth, where all of the sky tubes connected and broke off to the seas. Only one tube, towards the east covered in massive fog and clouds, looked like it was never used. Some parts of it were broken off. The tube looked forlorn and dismal. Sad and neglected. The ocean was conscious and felt, so it may have been long forgotten here.

"That should be our destination," said Ecco. He swam towards the tube. "Come, Trellia."

Ecco swam cautiously through the tube with Trellia trailing behind. "This may be a hard and long trip, so keep close, Trellia."

"Not a problem."

The mist enveloped them, as dusk was slowly setting on the Sky of No Return.