Poseidon Awakens (Chapter 14)

Chapter Fourteen of a serialized novella
New chapters every Tuesday and Friday

“Yes,” said Oscar. “They’re still breathing and everything, but it’s like they’re not entirely in our time-space location, or whatever you call it.”

The professor perked up. “But are they solid?”

“Yes. I touched one of them, but they didn’t react at all.”

“Ah...so the god’s power is waning...” He stood and rubbed his hands together. “This is good news indeed.”

“I’m glad you’re glad, professor,” said Frank, “but could you explain your reasoning for the rest of us?”

“It means that Poseidon is losing his ability to manipulate our timeline.”

“Which means that...” said Oscar.

“Why, it means that the wound I imparted must be having some kind of impact.”

Or the scroll I read. Oscar smiled.

“Does that mean this nightmare is over?” asked Miranda.

Benjamin shook his head. “Not sure. Maybe. Maybe it will only be a matter of time before he loses his grip entirely and the men are back fully in this timeline.”

“Yeah, but what about the Kraken?”

Oscar’s stomach began to tighten. “Uh...professor...what if Poseidon was weakened enough that the Kraken could take him out?”

He frowned. “I...maybe. But...I’ve been thinking. Maybe the reason all of those texts tell us that Kraken is under Poseidon’s control is because they’re inextricably linked in some way. Maybe by wounding Poseidon, the Kraken too has been weakened.”

“Which could explain why the Kraken hasn’t attacked us yet. What with Poseidon nursing his wound, or whatever, you’d think that overgrown squid would have struck.”

“Don’t give him any ideas,” said Frank, glancing around.

“Like I told Miranda...God is in control here...the Most High will put these two back where they came from. I believe it, and for now, I think we should just wait, to see what God does.”

“Are you kidding?” said Miranda, slapping his arm. “Waiting is all we’ve done...isn’t there something we can do? Professor?”

The scientist shrugged and shook his head. “No idea.”

Miranda plopped down and sighed. “So I guess we just wait. But for what?”

Oscar shook his head. “No. Professor....as you’ve probably guessed, the free energy thing isn’t gonna happen. But you can help. Was there anything in the scrolls you translated that we can use to get out of this mess? Anything at all?”

For the first time since he’d known the man, the professor looked lost. He looked up at the others and shrugged. “I...I’m not sure.”

Oscar almost felt sorry for the guy...almost. “Think...there’s got to be something...anything.”

The professor frowned. “Don’t you think that’s what I’ve been doing? I’m telling you, there’s nothing in those scrolls. Most of it was medicinal remedies, love potions, descriptions of weapons of war...so many wonderful treasures...but nothing that can help us now.”

He sighed. “Oh, what have I done? I shouldn’t have gone against him...now I’ll go down in history, if there is a history, as a fool. Someone who had the most powerful, world-changing technology who let it slip through his hands in a fit of rage.”

“I’m telling you professor, there was no way he was going to give it to you. It was a trick, a ploy to get you to help him get freed from the prison the Most High had placed him in.”

“Most High? What are you talking about...you’re insane, Oscar.”

“No, I’m more sane than I’ve ever been. The Creator of heaven and earth, and all within them let this happen. I don’t know why, or what His purpose was, but it doesn’t matter...what’s important right now is for us to trust in Him, and His plan for this.”

The professor shook his head. “No, I cannot believe that...when I have the option to make choices and decide...why should I believe that this Most High has anything to do with this? He’s obviously not as powerful as Poseidon...otherwise He would have prevented me from being able to release him.”

Oscar grinned. “Thank you for admitting that, professor. I suspected that’s what you’d done, but now I know for certain...at least I know that’s what you intended. But maybe the Creator had something else in mind when He let you open Poseidon’s prison.”

“Like what,” for instance, said the professor, arms folded across his chest.

“I don’t know,” said Oscar. “And we may never know, but that’s where trust comes into the picture. I trust that God will do what He said, and that His will is perfect for me, for you, for all of us.”

“Hmmph....all of this hypothesizing still doesn’t get us out of this mess, Oscar,” said Miranda.

“No...that’s why I’m going to go with my gut and we’re all going to the hold...hey, what was that, did you guys hear something?”

“No,” said Frank. “What was it?”

Oscar shook his head. “Not sure...sounded like footsteps.”

The bridge door swung open. “Hey...what’s going on here?”

“Simon!” said Miranda. “You’re awake!”

The man frowned. “Didn’t know I’d been asleep. Where’s everyone else? Are we still leaving? Professor...what’s going on?”

The professor shrugged. “Ask Oscar...he seems to be the one in charge.”

“No,” said Oscar, “I’m not in charge...this isn’t a dictatorship here, professor. All I wanted to do was to dive and get paid...I didn’t ask to be involved beyond that. But now that Simon has joined us, let’s find out what he remembers.”

Simon shook his head. “Nothing much, Oscar. The last thing I remember before coming here is helping to load that ship we found into a crate. You remember that, professor?”

Benjamin’s eyes flew open wide. “No...I’d forgotten, actually.”

Oscar frowned. “Was it really a ship?”

“A small submersible, actually,” said Simon. “But I’d never seen anything like it. You’d said you hadn’t either, professor.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I remember,” said Frank. “It looked like something out of a sci-fi novel...maybe it’s a government secret?”

“No idea,” said Simon. “But that’s the last thing I remember before coming here.”

Oscar pulled at the hairs on his chin. What was a modern submersible doing at this ancient site? Lord, show me what to do next, because I have no idea.

The sound of footsteps and voices echoed in the hallway. Oscar, standing near the open door, glanced outside the room. “Hey guys...we’re all here.”

The men waved at him as they made their way to the bridge. “Hey, we were wondering where everyone was. What’s going on? I thought we were packing up?”

“We are,” said Oscar, “but we’ve got some things to do first. Professor...want to fill everyone in on what’s been happening?” Oscar motioned at Frank. “Can you help me with something?”

“Where are you going?” asked Miranda. The professor frowned. “Yes...what are you up to?”

“Just going to check if everyone’s awake.” And take a look at that submersible.

“So you can steal that submersible and leave us here to die?”

Oscar frowned. “Die? But you’ve weakened Poseidon...and besides, what makes you think I’d want to go anywhere near that god’s domain? You’ve got to be insane. And who could forget the Kraken? He’s probably planning some kind of attack right now...no, professor, I don’t plan to be gone long.”

The professor seemed to believe him, which was good because he was telling the truth. If he never saw anything more than a lake again, it would be fine with him.

But he also wanted to see if the submersible was indeed what it appeared to be. All this talk of a time machine from the Kraken might have had some basis in truth, and in his experience, to his shame, he knew that lies sprinkled with a kernel of truth were the most believable.

If it was a time machine, then maybe they could put everything back the way it was before the professor released the god.

God...sure could use some more help here. Thank you for waking up the others, but I’m lost...can we put Poseidon back to where You put him? Show me, Lord, how to stop him and his Kraken.