Chapter 11
"What? No...NO!" cried Trellia in fear.
Ecco gasped and uttered, "How...impossible...no..."
The entire pod was frozen in sheer terror. Kitnee couldn't stop staring ahead and fidgeting. Even Radero now had to pay attention, because of the shock that went through the singers' hearts. Tara now was absolutely scared, for her family and especially for Ecco...though she might never admit it.
I'm sorry my singers...and there's nothing I can do to stop this.
Everyone had the exact same thought: A dark history was repeating itself. Ecco was there for them before, twice. Now this was much more devastating...the entire balance of life was at stake now. They could remember when they were captured by the Vortex. Oh, the pain they suffered when they confronted them in the seas again.
Ecco couldn't bear to have his family torn from him...forever this time. What was worse, if he failed, he'd watch his entire family die, and he would be helpless but to stand by and watch and mourn; for he was immortal.
The stars on his forehead took on an angry white glow, as did Trellia's star. Kitnee had a classic Sniper Singer look in his eye, as someone who looked at it would soon die. Tara refused to leave Ecco's side, and Lonus almost clung to his son and mate.
Finally, Ecco spoke. "I hate to ask this, Asterite, but...is there a way to stop all this?"
First, Ecco, you must use the Atlantean time machine again. This song will take you to ancient Atlantis, back in its prime. That amulet you carry, the Elder's Stone, is one key. My future self tells me that the original Glyph Caller seeks his soul. Go back to Atlantis, and just when he is separated from his body, catch that spirit.
"Is that all we must do?"
No. You, Tara, Kitnee, Trellia, and the young one all have a part. You will take Trellia with you to Atlantis. I will teach a song to Tara, Kitnee, and the young one to take them to the ancient past. You and your descendant will catch the Glyph Caller's persona. The rest of you will gather Glyphs from the past, for they are still working. When you bring them here, You will receive further instructions.
Ecco sighed. "I hope you know what you're doing, Asterite."
Trust in me, Ecco. All of you.
"One question," asked Trellia, "was our search in vain? Did we find the one with the power to wield the Caller's Song?"
Indeed. That one was under your fins the entire time.
"Who is it?" Tara asked with extreme impatience.
The young son of Lonus and Enuia. He has the power.
Slowly, the entire pod turned to young Radero. He was slightly nervous at all this. Enuia looked as if she was about to faint and Lonus was greatly concerned. "Mmmm....Me?" Radero quivered.
Teach him the Caller's Song. Your pod put faith in you when you were young...so show him the same.
"But, I don't know about saving the world!" Radero cried. Ecco smiled and swam over to the young one.
"If you have the determination, the heart, and the willpower, and above all, hope, you have all you need."
"Just a moment!" Enuia exclaimed, "Ecco, are you saying you want to take MY child into the broken strands of time where he may be lost forever?!"
"Be at peace, Enuia..." Lonus tried calming her.
"I can't be at peace, your son isn't even grown and now he has to..."
"Hush, Enuia!" That was the first time Ecco had to raise his voice to a pod member. The singer immediately fell silent. Throughout all this, Radero was nervous.
Ecco, I suggest you do not linger any more. Teach the song to the young one.
The dolphin nodded and prepared the song for Radero. Enuia looked as if to charge after him; all was quiet.
"Listen closely, Radero," Ecco instructed. The young dolphin looked over to his mother and father, who both nodded solemly.
"Yes, Ecco" he replied.
And once again, the melodious strains of the Caller's Song was heard throughout the ocean. Lonus was excited at hearing his ancestor's lost song. The ones who hadn't heard it were mesmorized. Radero listened intently. The pod kept quiet in awe; Kitnee wanted to sing himself. Trellia could hear it even if she floated above the water. Enuia was just plain scared. Tara marveled but kept skeptical. And nearby, a few Small Singers stopped to hear. The Great Singers, whales, tried singing as well. Even a few Saltless Singers, freshwater dolphins, could barely hear from their rivers. Once again the entire sea was alive and carefree.
Then the singing stopped. It was done, the mission partially complete.
"Do you have the song in your mind, young one?" Ecco asked.
Radero's small eyes were wide open in thought. "Y-yes...I know it! Strange, I feel as if I had known it before."
At that moment, the Elder's Stone that seemed plain only a few minutes before now glowed again. The entire sea around them seemed to channel its energy.
The Glyphs call for help again, the Asterite warned, I can provide a passage back to Atlantis, but because of my weakened state it will take another day.
"But that only leaves us one more day until the harvest moon! We'll never make it!" Tara exclaimed.
"We have no choice," Ecco answered, "Asterite, open that portal. Mother, keep the pod here. Enuia and Lonus, you stay as well. Kitnee, Trellia, Tara, Radero, come with me."
Here is the song that will get you to all your destinations. Good luck, singers.
The rest of the pod backed up as the Asterite slowly opened the portal. With Kitnee in front, they quickly entered and disappeared. Ecco stayed behind to make sure everyone had left. With a last Delphine hug from his mother and father, young Radero turned and followed the others. Before going himself, Ecco reasurred his pod.
"Do not worry, I promise to take care of Radero, and be back in time."
"Be careful," his mother cautioned, "I love you, my son."
Ecco smiled and turned. "Asterite, try to guard my family with all your power."
I shall try. Go, Ecco.
In the next instant, Ecco swam through and disappeared. The portal closed behind the brave singers.
"Can your son really accomplish this?" Enuia asked nervously of Ecco's mother.
She smiled with pride. "If he can cross shark-infested waters, endure the cold north where air is blocked, cross millions of years of time, go through two alternate futures, defeat the Vortex twice, and return from beyond the sky with every pod member alive, he can take care of a calf and do the same thing."
Once again, the singers under Ecco's command were traveling back to Atlantis via portal. Kitnee and Tara weren't too used to travelling that way, so they lagged behind to watch Radero. Ecco and Trellia hugged the front. The Asterite's way had them going quite fast. In reality though, it would take another day to reach their destination. Which Ecco feared wouldn't be time enough. Though they didn't know much about this (save for Trellia), they'd certainly try to halt it.
Finally the portal opened and disgorged the five singers in the ruined, labyrinthine City of Forever. When they arrived, they noticed the sun rising again.
Radero whistled quietly. "I didn't know saving the earth gets you so dizzy." He swam up for air.
"You get used to it, I think" Tara pointed out. She was somewhat dizzy herself and also swam up. Only Ecco, Trellia, and Kitnee stayed down.
"Ecco, you know this city; do you know where the machine is?" asked the young orca.
"Yes, Kitnee. Let's just hope it's there."
Radero and Tara returned. Although the young calf was stuck on the mission, he could not help but notice the beauty of the forgotten city. "What now?" he asked.
Ecco turned to his friends. "First of all, give me that amulet back please, young one. Second, all of you take a deep breath. This journey will take more than fifteen minutes, so if you need air there are pockets below. Use your sonar maps if necessary. And if you have to swim from the group, let us know and we'll keep track. Otherwise stay with us. Got it?"
The others nodded and did as told. Once the amulet was back on Ecco's neck and everyone's breath was taken, the singers started down the long tunnels below them.
For the first few turns, the dolphins swiftly followed through. Only once or twice did they stop for air, and Kitnee needed help with tight spots.
On and on they powered. Through aggressive Hungry Ones with a lost power of duplication and traps of falling and rising stones they passed. And the closer they got to the machine, the more worry was present.
Ecco was worried about Radero. Will I be able to protect him? He thought. Trellia still had doubt in her heart that Tiderider or her world would be alive. Kitnee and Tara both had the greatest devotion for their friends and for the misson. They possessed plenty of courage.
Above all, Radero was worried most. Will I be okay? Will I ever see my mother and father again? I hope I don't fail...all this ran through his mind swifter than a thresher shark. He was however thrilled to be adventuring with Ecco. I knew I wasn't too young, the calf thought.
The sea grew darker as the passageways turned towards the hidden time machine. Tara of course was getting impatient. Ecco and Kitnee were indifferent, but Trellia and Radero grew scared.
"It gets darker through here, so keep close and use your sonar," Ecco instructed. At once you could hear clicking and Delphine squeaks echoing throughout the darkening tunnels.
Finally, the tunnel got brighter. The Singers gave a sigh of relief as they saw an unbroken Glyph in the chamber. Above it lay the long-forgotten time machine, which only responded as the Glyph crystals; by dolphin songs.
"Oh bless Delphineus, we have finally arrived!" Tara declared. The others sang in victory, while Ecco contemplated activating the Glyph.
"Everyone, I need your songs to do this!" On command, all the dolphins used their sonar and pinged the Glyph. Inside it read, Time travel sequence initiated. Travelers: Ecco, Tara, Trellia, Kitnee, Radero.
"Hey, that's me!" Radero exclaimed excitedly.
Tara laughed. "Don't lose your breath, calf."
"Okay...hey, don't call me calf!" he replied.
"Calf, calf, calf..."
"Stooopp!"
"Okay, Tara, stop" Ecco snickered. They swam up into the chamber one by one, Ecco first, Trellia second, Tara third, Radero fourth, and Kitnee last. He had to struggle before fitting through.
"A little crowded, I think" Tara pointed out and glanced at Kitnee. He growled slightly, which surprised Trellia. Radero giggled at this.
Ecco swam in between the time machine. "Now, if I remember, the Asterite gave us two different songs; one for the distant past and one for ancient Atlantis."
"I remember," Kitnee said, "Tara and I take Radero to the past to gather Glyphs."
"Ecco and I go to ancient Atlantis and save the soul of the Glyph Caller," finished Trellia.
"Right," Ecco answered, "You two, watch over Radero and beware of the ancient sharks and the Vortex drones."
"But Ecco!" Radero interrupted, "why can't I go with you and Trellia?"
"Because you are much safer with an orca and Tara than with me for the time being. Now don't question me."
"Yes, Ecco."
"Good. You remember your songs?" The singers all nodded. "Then Trellia and I shall proceed first. After that, you three will use your song and travel to the prehistoric past. If you need help, contact the Land Singers."
" 'Land Singers'?" asked Tara.
"You will know them when you see them. Are you ready?"
"Yeah," Tara answered, "and Ecco?"
"Yes?"
Tara blushed. "Just be careful, okay?"
Ecco smiled. "You too, Tara."
"Yeuch" Radero whispered. The others laughed slightly.Kitnee and Tara backed up with Radero as Ecco and Trellia positioned themselves between the machine drums. Together they activated the sound waves, rotated, and vanished in a flash of light.
Cautiously, the other dolphins did the same. In the same minute, three Bottlenose Singers, a Sniper Singer, and a half-Lunar Cast Singer all vanished, and the room was left empty and deathly quiet again.