Poseidon Awakens (Chapter 12)

Bellowes! What the hell? I thought he was imprisoned along with everyone else. How did he get loose?

I’m not about to get blasted, or whatever the professor has planned for me. I wonder if his bodyguards are in there with him?

He stole a glance. Good...at least he’s alone. I wonder where those bodyguards are?

“Come on now Oscar...we don’t have much time. I’ve got a plane to catch and you’ve got some work to do.”

“I’m not working for you anymore professor...you kinda killed it for me, you know, locking me up, feeding me to the squid...sorry, been too busy to give you my resignation letter.”

“Funny, Oscar. Now let’s talk about it okay? How can I help if I don’t understand what’s wrong?”

Oscar shoved a chair through the doorway towards the professor, nearly hitting him. It wasn’t a perfect aim, but it was enough. Frank wrestled the gun away from Professor Bellowes and ordered him to sit down.

“You don’t believe what he said, do you?” said Frank.

“Don’t know...why would he say that?”

“I’m guessing it’s because he’s mad...hell I don’t know, why don’t you ask him yourself?”

Oscar rolled his eyes, “Ha...why didn’t I think of that?”

Frank pointed the gun towards the professor. “Well, what ya got to say? Why are you trying to kill us?”

Bellowes crossed his arms and studied the floor in front of his feet. Frank moved towards the professor.

“Nah, leave it Frank. I’ve got a feeling we’ll find out soon enough. I’d like to know what happened to everyone else too, but we’re not going to get answers from him.”

“No? Well I don’t see anybody else around here with any answers. What was that you were going on about earlier? You said you...”

“Not now...I’ll tell you once we’ve got the wannabe dictator here dealt with.”

“Speaking of, what are we going to do with him?” Frank chuckled. “Hey, I know...why don’t we let him walk the plank? You know I’ve always wanted to say that!”

“As much fun as that would be, it’s not practical. He’s got some kind of connection with Poseidon, remember? We might need him...besides, I’d prefer to let nature take its course as it were. I’ve got a feeling that the god will have something to say about this situation.

“In fact, you could say I’ve got it on good authority that he’s around here somewhere, maybe even watching what we’re doing right now.”

Frank stared at Oscar. “So now what? Are we still looking for everyone else?”

“Not at the moment no, the one we needed to find most of all is right here in front of us. It doesn’t matter that he’s not talking, but what does matter is that we find out where he’s stashed the original scrolls...particularly the one that describes how to put Poseidon to sleep.”

“Got it. So where do we start looking?”

“Let’s start with him. Professor, take off your shirt.”

The professor laughed. “What are you on about? You think I’ve literally got a scroll up my sleeve?”

“Here, give me that gun, Frank, and you take off the professor’s shirt.”

The biologist nodded. “We can do this the easy way, or the hard way...take your pick professor.”

The professor sighed, then flung his shirt towards Oscar. “I want that shirt back, you hear?”

“Turn around.”

Nothing.

As Oscar examined the shirt he studied the professor out of the corner of his eye. The smirk on the man’s face told him everything he needed to know. He tossed the shirt back and Frank shoved the professor back into his seat.

“So professor...what do you think Poseidon will think of your conspiracy against him?”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about, idiot...you have no idea what powers you’re messing with.”

“No? Okay, what if I told you that what has been promised to you has been forfeited because of your theft, or, the more likely scenario, is that you were never going to get what was promised, and were, like many men before you, duped into doing the will of an entity that plays by different rules than us mere mortals.

“And that entity is the one calling the shots right now. Do you know where the rest of the crew is? Your bodyguards? Of course you do...you were locked up with them until you were released. The only question I’ve got for you now is who released you? Was it the Kraken? I doubt you escaped on your own.

“Make no mistake, neither Poseidon nor the Kraken give two cents about humanity. They care about one thing and one thing only, at least as far as I can see: achieving their own goals, whatever that entails.

“I know the Kraken wants Poseidon to go nighty-night, and maybe he could do just that with the knowledge from the scroll you’re hiding somewhere in this room.

The professor laughed. “So you’ve got it all figured out, do you?”

“No, but maybe you’re too close to the situation to grasp what’s really happening. You’re blinded by ambition and missing the big picture.”

“Hmmph...and I suppose you’re going to tell me what I’m missing? Not likely. Look here, Oscar...I’ve had enough of this. This is nothing more than a shakedown and I’m not listening to another word.”

Bellowes moved to shove past Frank, but froze when Oscar pointed the gun towards him. The man shrugged. “You’re not going to shoot me.”

“No?”

The professor sat back down.

Seems he’s not willing to take the chance.

“Now, as I was saying, you’re missing the bigger picture here. You’ve got Poseidon...an entity that’s called a god...promising you free energy, but for some reason you thought it would be a good idea to steal from him? What made you think that would end well?”

“Those that came before me...fools, all of them. They didn’t know how to cover their bases, how to negotiate. I’ve done nothing that Poseidon himself wouldn’t have done, given the chance. And for that, I’m certain he’ll hold up his end of the bargain....what are some bits of pottery and ancient relics to a god? He probably doesn’t care one bit about those artifacts.”

“Are you sure? What about the one that puts him to sleep? Don’t you think he’d want that one hidden somewhere, under his control, not yours?”

“Pshaw...you don’t know what you’re talking about. That wasn’t a sleep spell, it was an energy spell...designed to empower him against his enemies in battle.”

Oscar laughed. “Now who’s lying? Why would the Kraken send me to...”

“Kraken? Come on now, Poseidon controls the Kraken...if he wanted to filet that cephalopod he could do just that, and fast. No, I don’t believe you about the Kraken...ancient sources are clear that the beast has no other will but to do the bidding of Poseidon.”

“Speaking of Poseidon...has he given you that technology yet?” asked Frank.

The professor scowled. “That’s for me to know, not you. When I decide to release it, you’ll learn along with the rest of the world.”

Oscar laughed. “He hasn’t gotten it yet, Frank. That’s why he’s still here.”

Bellowes snarled. “You don’t know anything, airsucker. I call the shots, not you.”

Frank smiled. “Looks like it’s us calling the shots now, professor.”

The man sneered, but said nothing further.

“Look, we’re not going to get anything out of him,” said Oscar. “How far did you get when you searched the ship?”

“I covered everything, or at least I thought I did...I still don’t know where the professor came from, but when I first saw him, he looked dazed and confused, like he didn’t know where he was for a moment.”

Oscar frowned. Hmmm...like he suddenly appeared through a portal or something? He tucked the gun in his waist, pulled out the professor’s notebook, set it on the table, and jabbed his finger at it.

The professor’s eyes bulged at the notebook, and he swallowed hard. Fear?

“Here’s your little notebook...Benny. Now let’s take a look at that spell, shall we? In fact, maybe we should use it...right here...right now.”

“No.” The professor’s face looked transparent.

“No? But just a moment ago you were so confident that you were the one in charge, and that the Kraken is nothing but a...”

“Stop it!”

“Aren’t you curious where I...”

“No. There was a reason I left it behind, now you’ve doomed us all.”

“Bit melodramatic, don’t you think?” said Frank. He frowned. “By the way, where is Miranda, prof?”

Oscar leaned over and slapped the table. “Frank’s right...it’s only a book...what did you do with Miranda?”

“What? Nothing.”

“I call bullshit,” said Oscar, straightening up. “Where is everyone, Benny?”

The man glared at him, lips pressed together tight.

“What happened?” said Oscar. “Kraken got your tongue?”

“Idiot. Kraken is nothing without Poseidon.”

“See what I’m talking about?” said Oscar, looking at Frank. “When you’re so blinded by ambition that you can’t see what’s right in front of you, you’re destined to walk right off a cliff.”

Frank’s brows pinched together, but he went along with it and nodded.

“What are you talking about?” said the professor. The color had returned to his face.

“There’s something within these pages that you’ve translated...some spell, some technology, whatever...that will help us get out of this mess. I don’t think for one minute that humans...our ancestors...didn’t leave behind something that we can use to set things back the way they were.”

Frank grinned. “That’s right...only question is, professor, which one is it?”

“What’s this? Are plans being laid against me again?”

Oscar rubbed his chest and swallowed hard. He’s back. He glanced towards Frank and the professor. They were frozen, staring at the large man who had suddenly appeared in their midst.

Thank God...at least I’m not going crazy...they see him too.

“Certainly you three aren’t making plans against me.”

“Rick?” said the professor. “How...I mean...”

The god laughed. “Don’t worry yourself about the details, professor.” He pointed towards the notebook. “May I?”

As if you needed to ask. Wait...does he need to ask permission? How does he get the authority? I can’t see God giving it to him; would He?

Poseidon spun around and glared at Oscar before grabbing the notebook. “I don’t need anyone’s authority, Oscar...this is my domain.”

Oscar gulped. The professor must have given him authority. The man was staring at Poseidon like a child looking at his favorite superhero. Insane.

“Your loyalty won’t go unnoticed, professor. Once I’ve destroyed the traitorous Kraken and taken my rightful place at the head of the nations you may be rewarded.” Poseidon then turned towards Oscar. “All it takes is one, Oscar. One person who can see beyond their petty lives and look at the bigger picture.”

Oscar’s jaw clenched. “Bigger picture? You mean the one where the Most High returns and kicks you out?”

“You worthless...”

Laughter, rich and deep, echoed in the room. It seemed to come from everywhere at once.

Poseidon, the professor, and Frank were all staring at him, but they were frozen in place. The god’s right hand now held a trident, while his left hand, still holding the notebook, was pointed at Oscar, his mouth frozen mid-sentence.

“Well, that wasn’t too smart, but still...I like this guy.”

The diver turned to see two men. One was just a bit taller than the other, and they both looked to be about a foot over his five-foot, seven-inch frame.

Oscar frowned. “Who, uh...how did you...”

The taller one pointed at Poseidon and the others. “Don’t worry...we’ve got time.”

“Uh, okay...time for?”

“A little discussion,” said the shorter one. He reminded Oscar of his abuelo, only this guy was clean-shaven and appeared to have all his teeth.

“And you are...”

“Sorry about that,” said the taller one. “You can call me Raymond...this is Kevin.”

“Uh, okay...how did you...” said Oscar, pointing at the still frozen god and men.

The two men looked at each other, then at Oscar. “The Most High, of course.”

“Oh, so you can help us...”

Kevin shook his head. “Nope, well, only a little and there are rules around that.”

“Oh, so...”

“I know this must seem...”

“Crazy? Yeah. But of course, you probably already know what I think.”

“No,” said Raymond. “We don’t do that. Only when permission is granted, and only when Providence mandates it.”

“Oh. If you can’t help us, why are you here?”

“We’re coming in answer to prayer, so where it aligns with the will of God, we have authority to act.”

“So, God wants Poseidon to do this?”

The two men looked at each other, shrugged, and held up their hands. “Only the Most High has all of the information...we just follow the General’s marching orders.”

“And what will happen when you release the hold on Poseidon?”

“He’ll kill you.”

Oscar gulped.

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Raymond smiled and nudged Kevin. “He’s just kidding. The god is planning to kill you, but you won’t be standing in the same place when he releases the trident, so in effect, he’ll miss.”

“That’s nice to know,” said Oscar, glancing around the room for a place to hide.

“You’ve been invited to join the army, mijo.”

Mijo? Why would he call me his son?

“Army? I don’t see any army.”

“Ah, but you don’t need to see it to know it’s there.”

Oscar frowned. “What do you mean?”

Raymond waved his arm and suddenly the room was crowded...there were men everywhere, only they looked different. They didn’t have wings, but still, they reminded him of the pictures in his abuela’s Bible...Los ángeles? What do they need me for?

“Why are you here then, if not to stop Poseidon?”

“That is a task that’s been assigned to you, dear Oscar,” said Kevin, looking at Oscar intently.

“Me?”

“You cannot do this alone...that’s why the Most High sent us. You also need to know how to deal with the Kraken. It’s important to understand that he’s a liar, as is Poseidon.”

“I kinda guessed that,” said Oscar. “But how can I defeat him?”

“You can’t.” said Raymond. “Their doom was prophesied thousands of years ago, but what you can do is help us put them back where they were.”

“Asleep?”

“Kind of,” said Kevin. He looked at Raymond, who nodded.

“But first, let’s set the captives free, shall we?”

“Captives? You mean the rest of the crew?”

“Yes.”

“Of course...let me know what I can do.”

“Stand right over here,” said Kevin, pointing to a spot a few feet from where he’d been standing. The angel handed Oscar a scroll. It looked similar to the ones they’d recovered in Poseidon’s temple, but different. It felt thicker, somehow, and it was heavier too.

He looked at the angel, eyebrows raised. “Do I open it?”

“Yes...and then begin to read it. At first it will appear jumbled, but when you begin to speak, the words will simply flow through you. Relax, and say what comes into your mind.”

Oscar frowned. “Okay.”

As he said each word, Oscar felt something in the air shift. Everything looked ordinary, but it was as if a veil had been torn between what he saw and what he felt. He knew, deep in his spirit, that something was happening, and he was being filled with hope and peace.

The rush of words that had poured into his mind slowly faded, and Oscar stopped speaking. “I think that’s it.”

He placed the scroll in the angel’s outstretched hand. “Yes. Now we’re going to need you to move...just a few feet to your left...so that Poseidon will miss when we release this hold,” said Kevin.

“What? I...won’t he just chase me and kill me?”

“No,” said Raymond. “When he misses he’ll realize that you have help, he’ll leave you alone, or at least he won’t kill you.”

“Oh.”

“Ah...word of advice though?” said Kevin. “Try to stay under his radar this time...”

“And how do you suggest I do that?”

“Keep quiet...let him do the talking...in case you didn’t notice, he loves to brag on himself.”

“Are you sure he won’t...”

“He won’t kill you now that he realizes the Most High is watching. But that doesn’t mean he won’t try to hurt you in some way. Bottom line, stay quiet and you should be fine.”

“But, what if I just leave the ship...right now?”

Raymond sighed. “You mean leave your shipmates to their fate?”

Oscar’s cheeks warmed. “Uh...I’m sorry...you’re right...but what can I do to stop Poseidon and the Kraken?”

“Nothing,” said Kevin, his grin widening. “Well, not exactly. When you were reading that scroll did you feel something change?”

The diver nodded.

“The decree you spoke is the beginning of the end for Poseidon and his kraken. Of course, their ultimate doom started, thousands of years ago when the Son reversed the Curse, but just now, as a Son of Adam, you’ve helped to set things back to where the Most High had established them.”

“So I just do nothing?”

“No,” said Raymond. “You place your trust in the One who defeated the rebellious sons of God all those years ago. He is the One who fights your enemies...all you have to do is trust and listen for your marching orders.”

“Sounds crazy...I mean, don’t I need a weapon or...”

“I know it seems crazy, but just trust, and see what the Most High does for those He loves.”

“Alright man.” Oscar frowned. “So will you guys still be around?”

“Depends on what the General says,” said Kevin. “But don’t worry...when you place your trust in the Most High and His Son, you’ll never be alone.”

“I like that.” Oscar took a deep breath. “Okay...guess I’m as ready as I will ever be.”

“I knew I liked this guy,” said Kevin, nudging Raymond. Raymond nodded and suddenly everything went crazy. Frank screamed “Oscar” seconds before a bolt of light hit the spot where Oscar had been standing.

When the god noticed he’d missed his mark, his eyes bulged. He then glared at Oscar, but turned his attention back to the professor.

“It seems my Kraken has promised you something he has no ability to deliver.”

The professor’s notebook in the god’s hand burst into flame. Within seconds, all of the man’s meticulous notes and translations vanished into a pile of ash.

Staring at the remnants of his hard work, the professor lost it. He bolted up from his chair, pulled a knife from his coat pocket, and jammed it into the god’s neck.

Poseidon yelped and grabbed his bleeding neck.

Looking at the trio in amazement, the god stepped back and disappeared, leaving only a pool of red on the steel floor.

So they can be killed? Oscar frowned. How do we know he won’t come back?

Next chapter: Friday
“I don’t know...they like to toy with their victims?” Miranda sighed. “It’s hopeless...we’re all going to die here, and that’s the end of that.”