XVI

You know how girls who drowned get washed up on exotic islands or how they wake up in the decorated room of a billionaire? Well, that’s not my case. I was woken up by the screams and complains of an old man. “Kids, these days! They can’t respect private property”. He shouted and grumbled. I felt something a bit soft underneath. I struggled to get my body up since I felt stiff allover. “Oh no! Now you've done it!” he complained some more, “my wife will kill me. You destroyed her lilies!” I rushed from the little garden filled with crushed blue water lilies. “I’m so sorry sir”. I apologized quickly, “where’s your wife? I can explain it to her”. The old man resigned to his rocking chair just some feet from the garden. “I wish she was here”. He muttered swinging back and forth. “Oh! My apologies”, I walked closer to him, “I’m great in the garden. I can plant it all back”. That was a total lie but it made his wrinkled scowl turn into a smile. “I like you kid”, he said, “the name’s Lenold by the way”. “Wiberly” I returned his smile. “I'm sorry I sounded so mean but these rotten kids always ruin my lawn”, he chuckled, “what brings you here?” I wanted to answer but he did that for me. “My guess is you're from Goran. You have that glowing skin”. “This old thing; it's the sun”. “You youngsters still have the strength to get out of here. I remember my glory days”. “Where is here actually?” I asked very confused but I added, “not that I don’t know but I have a bad memory”. “Almeda of course” he answered cheerfully, “this place still got it”. “I hope you don’t mind my asking”, I rubbed my neck, “but Almeda in where?” He stared at me for a while but a spark of realization shone in his eyes. “Oh! You’re new here", he clapped his hands, “tell me kid, where ya from?” I pointed upwards, “Los Angeles”, I answer, “you know that right?” “You all and your weird names. I've been in this world years before the first plane and I have no idea what you’re saying”. His words stunned me. He’s hundreds of years old! I thought still baffled. I heard that, you miscreant. And I’m just ripe for old age. He mind answered me. I spotted an empty chair just on his right hand side. I sat in it and prepared my ears for some clearance tales. “Since you’ve been around a while”, I started, “can you tell me about this place?” “You really know nothing?” he faced me. I nodded. He paused, looked away then looked back. “This place was built by the bravest warriors who escaped Atlantis during the war”, he said, “ah yes! This place was nothing compared to Atlantis but they needed a place to keep their families. I was born the year after this place was named. My grand parents were part of the founding warriors but shh…it’s a secret”. I did not divert from his words. They were more captivating than I expected. “The two large cities were built and people settled down. If you ask me why they built two cities, I’d tell you they had too much to drink but they thought control was going to be easier that way”, he continued, “they named the city of defense, Almeda and the city of welfare, Goran. Down here we seek the guidance of an Oracle unlike whatever gods you all worship in your Las Ongeles”. I chuckled before correcting him, “it’s called Los Angeles and I’m not the religious kind of person”. “Back to what I was saying. The Oracle called Shamit if male and Shamita if female, tells everyone their destines. I knew my destiny was to hold the gates. Everyone who has ever lived here has to pass through me. It seems like a pretty important job but it was a punishment for the crimes of my parents. That’s why I lost my wife. I’m supposed to be lonely forever and what other way to be lonely than as a gatekeeper. Enough about me, let's go back to the history of our beloved city”. “Our beloved city has suffered from many disasters but none as great as the clash of the Albane brothers who led the building in the first place. Tsk tsk…they worked hard to save their mother from the war even though they lost her in the end. The Lordship belonged to the younger brother according to the words of the Shamit. Mind you, the Shamit never gives good news without a price. Outraged by the decision, the older brother burnt down the tent of the Shamit though only few are aware of this”. “They was an endless struggle between the two. The constant battles left half of the city in ruins. They worked so hard to build the cities yet they tore it down like it meant nothing. Many fled to Goran but it didn’t take long till they started having problems too. The older became blood thirsty as a result of a curse placed on him by the Shamit. Everything and everyone who aligned with the younger brother was to be executed by the older brother and his army. The battle was won by good and the rogues were banished to the Outlands”. “The younger brother repaired the damage at the cost of his life. Once the last building was complete, he slumped and died just like the Shamit said. Indeed, our city is like metal forged in the hottest flame and craved into the strongest weapon. Atlantis would never rise to this height”. “You’ve been saying Atlantis a lot?” I finally unsealed my lips, “are you talking about the underwater city? ‘Cause it's impossible for Atlantis to be around the corner”. He laughed at my doubts. It felt unreal since I’ve never heard anything about this place. Not in books, not on maps and not on the Internet. “I want to show you something”. He stood up from the chair. We walked to the blue walls, “put your hands there”, he ordered, “and tell me what you feel”. I thought for a second, he had gone crazy but the wall wasn’t a wall. It was the sea. This place was in the sea just like he had said. “I feel comfort and everything home”. I said pulling my hand out. He beckoned on me to follow him. “Even after years, this place is still home to all who belong”. He wore a smile. My mouth dropped at the sight. Fishes were swimming from place to place; different species. The people rode in carriages moved by large seahorses. But the people weren’t people, they had fish tails. At least the women did. Mermaids and Mermen! I was astonished. “You have been in the dark for too long, Wiberly Senter”. I stared at him as if to say ‘you knew?’ “Of course, I’m not a random old man. I believe I said that earlier. Though I still hate when kids stay on my lawn”. He winked. He placed a hand on my left shoulder, “welcome home, Wiberly”, he said smiling, “welcome to Oceania”.