Everything started to shake about. The people fell to the floor, pressing their hands over their ears. Parents clung on to children, scared. Milo looked around desperately. He needed support right now.
He looked to Kishpa, who was being helped off the floor by Omoko. Kishpa and Omoko were lovers. Lanta was comforting her mother, Xeka, and her younger brother, Kash, who was crying. Milo walked over and huddled on the floor next to him.
More people joined them, and soon all the people were sitting together in a huge group.
Suddenly, the earth stopped shaking. They were home.
Desperate, Milo walked to the centre. He was close to tears, searching for any sign of his wife's return...
A beam of light shone down from the clouds. Slowly, Kida descended. Milo rushed underneath to catch her before she hit the ground. Milo held her close, and lowered her unconscious body to the ground. The people crowded round, shouting and talking in Atlantean. Saros, the old physician, bent over her.
'What's wrong with her? Will she be ok?' Milo asked, bending down beside her.
'She is very weak. Let us take her back to the palace, where I can help her.'
'Right.' Milo replied shakily, lifting her off the floor. Kida wasn't very heavy, but it didn't matter right now.
They walked to the palace and laid her on the outdoor couch. The weather was warming up again. Saros checked her pulse.
'How much has she been eating lately?' Saros asked.
'Er, about normal, I guess. Why?'
'Oh, I don't know. I'll need to run a few tests first.'
'Is it serious?' Milo asked.
'I don't think so. Fetch me some water. She'll need it when she comes round.'
Milo went off to fetch a bowl of water. When he returned, Saros was pressing a stethoscope to her stomach. Milo was puzzled.
'What are you doing?' Milo asked.
'Kida is pregnant.' Saros replied, smiling.
'Oh my god! If I had known, I wouldn't have let her...' Milo said, putting the bowl on the table and rushing over to his wife.
'The crystal, as you know, is a source of good. It provides the people with good health, prosperity and hope. I'd say it did Kida a favour.'
Milo breathed a sigh of relief. Kida began to stir.
'I'll leave you two alone now. Call me if there's any problem.'
Saros got up and left. Milo sat on the edge of the bed, and stroked Kida's cheek.
'Kida? Kida, it worked. We're back.'
Kida opened her eyes and looked up at him. Milo helped her to sit up.
'Milo, what happened? Is everything ok?'
'Yes...Kida, when you were unconscious, Saros discovered something.' Milo told her, smiling.
'What? Milo, what is wrong?'
'We're having a baby. That's why it took you so long to come round...it's all good. We're home, and the crystal probably did you the world of good, in your condition...'
Kida looked down at herself, breathing heavily, taking it all in. Then, she began sobbing and rested her head on Milo's chest. He put his arms round her. They stayed like that for a while, until Kida straightened up, rubbing her eyes.
She then gave him a kiss, and straightened up.
'Maybe you should rest for a bit.' Milo suggested.
'No, I'm fine. I'll go and get something to eat. Come with me?'
Milo and Kida walked out of the palace courtyard, pushing the heavy stone doors shut. They walked down through the city to the docks, where the fishermen were catching fish in their nets, laughing. There were so happy.
Omoko and Daromi, as young men, were among the fishermen. Daromi grinned at them, and threw a large fish to Milo. He and Kida then walked off to eat lunch.
Their happiness was short lived, though. A team of explorers were on their way to Atlantis. Their leader, by the name of Kyle T. Dourke, was bent on destroying the person who killed his cousin, Lyle T. Rourke, as well as anything who tried to get in his way...and to take the Crystal on the way home.