aftermath

After their journey of ground-breaking discovery and obtaining the high priest's tome, the gang's life took a different course, when they got back home to the overseas.

Maybe except Phillie. The mechanic had the less impact in this journey. He was glad to get back Ags among them, and see everyone doing well. Beside learning his past life, he started to be more supportive with Deen, going out with her in more lady-like activities in their free time and most importantly: they have started to plan their wedding. No specific dates were decided yet, but it was a major step for both of them for even taking it in cosideration: for Phillie because he was pretty carefree and for Deen because she was so overwhelmed in her matriarchic duties that she couldn't think of planning any ceremonies. So, the two of them have lots of relationship discussions ahead...

Ags has received the greatest impact of this journey of them all. Beside getting back on his feet he got an amazing boost to start over again. He looked for jobs - finally ended up in a fancy bar. That required him to get some smart clothes and tie his long hippie hair, but soon he started to enjoy serving drinks and get along with the customer. He moved along, got his life purpose, and beside getting a job that suited him, he also get his apartment cleaned and organized, cutting off drasticly all the supstances that he was consuming. Alcohol was still in the game after shift, though...

Renato has delivered the high priest's tome to Deen. He reported all the experience they had during the journey. Deen realized that both the journey, both the tome are absolutely life-changing in the zoolooks' community and history: Atlantis was the first place where they actually ere in a higher position than simple witch doctors and messengers between mankind and nature.
Renato and Cez started to see eachother again. They didn't dare to declare themselves official (yet) but at least they were hanging out and talking. Casey soothed a lot after the journey and had more willingness to cooperate and discuss other than having her decisions forced over. Renato - on the other hand - has come with terms with his parents: with a little help in the navy he found the contacts of his father. He called him one last time, cut the last remaining tied with him, and moved on. Working in the administratives at the navy had its benefits...
Finally, he brought himslef to visit the Vada Voodoo tattoo salon. His request from Cez: a Poseidon trident tattoo on his shoulder. It was both a reminder of his past life and a sign that whenever bad thing happen and finds himself on the ground, it's never too late to get up and start over...

the sacred tome

Renato started to come to his senses: he was kneeling, in the middle ring, looking towards the valley, that once used to be the great canal that led outside to the open. His sight slowly cleared from black and blurry... but beside seeing the present desert, his memories from the long-lost previous life brought back the view of these lands filled with water.
And then it hit like a train... Not him, but he as the high priest, realized what happened exactly. He failed his people... He promised to protect them from the elements, he, who had the power over the storms - and he failed. This hit him so hard, he started to scream like a wolf in bitter agony, and cry hystericly, punching the ground with both hands. He was a damn monster... causing the death of thousands because they trusted him. Hell could tell, what happened afterwards... was this the first wave that caused the zoolooks to be treated as monsters? Were there any survivors? What happened to his reputation both as high priest and zoolook?

Among the desparate cry and screaming, suddenly he felt someone grabbing his shoulders, and through his tears he realized a shadow.
-Look at me, Reno...- It was Casey, starting with a softer voice. As she didn't get any reaction from him, he shook him hard once:
-Look at me! Renato blinked the few times, focusing on the bat's voice. Slowly, as his past self calmed down, and started to sink back somewhere deep in his subconscious, he recongnized Cez, getting her details by piece to piece, and maintaining eye contact with her. The bat firmly looked into the albatross' eyes:
-You're with me, Reno? Renato slowly nodded. He wasn't capable to speak yet. Casey seemed a bit relieves. She placed both her hands on the albatross' face, holding it firmly, still keeping the eye contact, leaning a bit closer. Her raspy voice was held quiet:
-It's all gone now... It's over. That was the point when Renato could held enough grip to speak - even if his voice was weak and trembling:
-You saw it all, too... It was all my fault... I couldn't protect them... He burst in tears again:
-They have died because of me! Cez embraced him, and held him tight:
-You're hard on yourself- he patted his back providing sympathy- you've always been. Now we all know, why. She sighed:
-None of us possess such great powers to mass with forces of nature this great. No one can expect any one us to stop a volcano, an earthquake or a tsunami. We only have the power to tinker with some elements, but not a full control on any of it. Hearing him calming down, and his desparaite cry turning into sipping, Casey continued:
-No one is to blame. You still did your best agaist the odds. Your primal instinct was not to flee... but to charge that tsunami with all your might. She held a little tighter:
-Actually, I'm proud of you. You willed to sacrifice all, even if you knew the cost. Just admit yourself, that it you couldn't do more. She started to whisper:
-Let this burden go... Just, let is slide away with the backing waves... You've given a new change as Renato Atu.  Renato has recognized her pattern. This was another hypnotic treatment. But he felt too weak to resists. He couldn't argue much. Slowly, he surrendered to her arms, loosen his body, caught his breath... and let the guilt from his previous life slip away, gently as the breeze. He let out a deep breath, and hugged the bat back:
-Thanks Cez. I really needed that. Casey smiled, and pat his back again:
-I know, you dummy.

They started to let go on eachother, and as they were done, they have faced eachother again. Renato wasn't sure how to feel, beside having this extra knowledge on zoolooks' history and Atlantis... but also started to see Cez in a new light. She looked gentler. And that vision from the previous life... Casey was caught off-guard... seemed that she had the same in mind. She blushed a bit in emberrasement:
-Uhm... you saw other things too, right? Renato nodded, feeling a little awkward:
-Well, kinda... when you became the guardian of the sky. The bat nodded a few, quickly, as the awkwardness intensified:
-Funny... eh? I used to think back then that we wer ment for eachother, but I never realized we used to have a history. Reno smiled:
-You think, that's a sign? Casey looked back - despite being small by default, she looked ever smaller:
-Dunno. What do you think? Renato shook his shoulders:
-Why asking me? You're the spiritual one. Cez sighed, staring right in front of her. It took her a while in her hesitation, but after long minutes she finally broke the silence:
-I miss you, Reno. And I'm sorry I screwed up. I can't promise to be better, but after all this... I wish the two of us could be back together. Renato digested what he has just heard: the hot-headed Casey Vada just apologised and asked him back?

He was about to responde, when they heard the other two from a bit further.
-Holy crap!- first it was Phillie, the lion, who scanned himslef back and fouth, patting all over his chest, hips and tights- I was a fucking chick! How in the hell?  His paws stopped on his chest:
-And where are my fucking boobs? I had gorgeous hips and boobs! Why would I had been a soldier when I could have been a goddamn quite with an army of fuckboys?
Ags, still in dragon form, was his absolute contrast: he was kneeling in the sand, staring with disbelief.
-I.. I had a purpose. He slowly raised his head to the others, smiling in grace, weeping tears of joy:
-I had a goal... I could do it. He shook in his whole body, as he pushed himself up in stand. Grace was taking over him, it was slightly touchable in the air:
-I can do this again!- he cried in joy, as he was cleaning his face- I feel so renewed. I feel that I have my life purpose back. He was trying to catch his breath again, as he looked straight to the albatross:
-Thank you, Reno! It seems you have saved me twice... Renato smiled back at him:
-Don't mention it.

Then, something snapped. His smile suddenly melted down. Something was missing... and he knew it exactly, as he sensed its presence. Reno jumped down, almost right to the feet of the others and started digging like a madman. The others were just staring in their surprise. Casey had enough courage to ask:
-What is it?
-Help me dig it out!- Renato replied briefly, not stopping for a bit. The other three joined him, and started to dig with their bare hands, pawes and claws in the rocky sand. It took about 30-40 minutes, sometimes with swearing here and there because of the heat rising, and joints burning, but they have finally found it. Reno just stopped them with a wave of a hand, then he slowed down his movements... as his sank his hands in the last reachable layer in the sand. He felt it... grabbed it... and with a strong pull, he felt it how the ground releases it. His friends were watching with excitement, as Renato slowly pulled out the very object. And as the sand was slinding down from it, slowly they object showed it's true form: covered in gold and silk, a bit dusty and worn, but there it was.
-The high priests' tome... - whispered Renato with his throat dried as he raised the time above his head.
-So..- asked Phillie- what does it do? Reno turned to him:
-This is valuable to our history as zoolooks- he kept the tome high above his head- we shall deliver this to Deen, and decypher all the information it contains, from both Atlantis and our people. Casey nodded:
-I agree- her eyebrows rose- But.. how did you know ut was there? Reno looked back on the tome:
-I'm not sure- he caressed the cover gently, swiping off some sand- but maybe, delivering this to our matriarch would be my redemption....

intermezzo

********************************************************************************
It was thousands of years ago, the first civilizations just started to srpoud and arise. The city of Atlantis was already blooming: three rings of land and three rings of water, connected here and there with smaller canals - and one big canal, heading towards the open wide ocean. This state has been delicately shaped and structured, where the army, the merchants, and the relionion were in their strict place. All was well-ornated, the buildings sitting on the rings of land - ports located on some of the points. The palace, the temple of Poseidon and the pharos - the lighthouse - were all standing proudly on the middle ring.

The high priest was walking around with the king, on the upper ring. He was holding a big tome, with delicate gold-and-silk ornation, as they were discussing matters. His majesty was human - as all the previous ones before him - but they had a very friendly tone with him.
-Thanks to you, my friend, the blessings of Poseidon is upon us- he said to the albatross- we have the smoothing working statal structure since my great-grandfather, we are rich in food and minerals, and we have exquisit trading partners and colonies. He sighed, and smiled as he looked wondering, towards the great canal that led to the ocean:
-What else can we wish for, my friend? How can we improve this place? He took a glare to the albatross:
-Your people are a great contribution to this land, and we have learned to live together. I'm opened to your or any of your's suggestions on spiritual or material level. The high priest scratched his chin, as he looked around the city. I was an amazing view from the middle ring, no spot remained out of sight: from the smaller merchants to the higher soldiers. And beyong all this wealth and abundance... the endless desert.

He looked back to the city, this time, taking closer look of the most important building, in the middle ring: the temple, the palace and the pharos. And this gave him the idea, to bring up to the king:
-Your majesty, I do have a suggestion. The king smiled and nodded:
-I'm listening. The high priest kept his manners in his voice as much as possible. He knew, that the kind was quite open-minded, still, he didn't want to offend him with any trace of rudeness. He took etiquette really strictly:
-We shall get some of my people to guard the elements. For the fire- the pharos- one of the dragon tooklooks in our partner, Hellas. Dragons are really rare in within our people, but one of them would me most suitable for this job. The king nodded:
-I prepare a small team for you with that- he waved, permitting the albatross to continue- please proceed...
-For the palace- the high priest resumed his speech- I would suggest one of the Sehkment warriors from our colony, Egypt. She would be both palace guard, and the guardian of the earth. Hopefully, she would agree to contribute to us.The king nodded. As he didn't add any further comments, the high priest continued:
-For the sky, I would suggest one of our people. There is that girl, the right hand of our matriarch. She has a bat totem. She would be both guardian of the night and the sky.The king scratch his chin, considering all he heard previously, then asked:
-What about the guardian of the water, my friend? The high preiest smiled:
-I'm willing to take that position. I have all the power for this task. I have controll over both waves and storms, your majesty. As the high priest of Poseidon, I solemnly vow, to protect the people of Atlantis from he storms. The king smiled widely:
-Very well, my friend. Then please, gather the other guardians, and perform your tasks as it takes to protect our people from them elements. The high priest bowed gracefully:
-Thank you, your majesty. I promise, I won't let you down...


The Atlantian soldiers had a really hard time in the hills of the Northers Hellas. Some of them wear swearing on the high priest for having such a stupid idea, to get someone with a dragon totem. The main problem was not, that the dragon zoolook was hostile or agressive... on the opposite. He was always trying to run away from them, scared of having too many people around, and wanted to be left alone. This troop of 12 people had a hard time chasing him down, and surrending him from time to time with spears, Finally, they had caught him witha few nets. The dragon zoolook was so tangles, he could escape or fly away. he was still scared and confused of the people, and attempt to chew his way out of the nets.
It was then, when the albatross high priest appeared, in his usual bestial form. The dragon instantly calmed down, seeing one of his kind in the crowd. This must be a good sign. He kept the firm eye contact with the high priest, as he kneeled down to him, speaking in their ancient common language:
-You have no need to fear. We're all here to ask your help. The dragon was still trying to catch his breath as he was still shook by fear and tired of fleeing from the soldiers:
-What kind of help? The albatross slowly untangled the nets:
-Atlantis has a great task for you, draconic one. We want you to be the guardian of the fire. As the dragon look puzzled, the albatross continued:
-I entrust you with the pharos. You will have the pharos of Atlantis. The dragon was finally free of the nets, but he didn't pay attention - he was so amazed of what he heared of the high priest, he kept the eye contact:
-You're giving me the pharos? You're giving me... a home? The albatross smiled and nodded:
-Yes, I'm giving it to you. Be our guardian. The dragon nodded, his mouth wide, and eyes sparkling:
-I'll gladly be!


The warriors of Sekhment. Fierce lioness zoolooks, who don't fear anything. There are few males among them, but they are only permitted to be lower-ranked soldiers. All for the glory of Sekhmet, the lioness goddess ow war. The high priest of Atlantis went personally, and by solo, to their temple, and asked for one of the high-ranked soldiers. Their leader, without much hesitation, ordered one of them to step forth and accept the task. It was one fiece lioness alright: tall, noble, broad-shouldered, carrying a spear in a hand and a lighter shield on her back. Zoolooks with lion totem were always known for being protective, strong, and mostly-heavy built... this lady particular looked like as the one the Hellans called amazon. The high priest bowed with salutation:
-Madam... great soldier of her highness Sekhmet. Please be our palace guard, and guardian of the earth. The lioness bowed, going down on one knee, showing obedience:
-I will gladly serve our master Atlantis in the name of our holy mother Sekhmet.


It was getting dark at the temples of Poseidon. The high priest just finished another chapter in his dacred tomb. As he left it open, leaving the ink to dry, he noticed a figure at the entrance. It was the girl with th bat totem: slender, her skin black as obisidian, round hips, short curly hear - that people in the southerner areas have, and two enourmous golden plates as earring in her bat ears. No doubt: the right hand of the local matriarch was a witch doctor herself, too.
-You called, you love... - she whispered. Her voice so smooth like silk and feathers. No wonder she charmed him. They were togetehr for a while, some close friends knew about them, and supported them. Still - for professional reasons- they didn't announce their relationship to the open. A high priest of Poseidon and a feral witch doctor? Hellans, Egyptians, maybe even Mesopotamians would made a scandal. But not Atlantians, who where the most open-minded of them all... Even the kind let a zoolook to a high position which usually were led by human beings.
The high priest smiled back:
-I did - he walk closer slowly, and gently touched her hand- I ask for you to be the guardian of the night sky. I want our people to be protected by the elements. The bat smiled:
-I always told you, you care too much. The albatross smiled back:
-It goes with my rank and my responsability. The bat giggled:
-And yes, I accept the position. I would gladly guard the night sky. The high priest smiled in satisfaction... then slowly leaned over, and kissed her...

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The waves are coming… and the biggest one approaches. People in the other rings started to fled... but how much time is there left? The hig priest stares at the biggest wave... he remembers his solemn vow to protect Atlantis... that has controls over the waters and the storms. There is no chance, but he has to try – he flew directly to amazing wave, charged it. He’s the albatross zoolook, the high priest of the temple of Poseidon, and also a force of nature. He has to protect the ones he serves, at all costs. he yelled, he gathered all his elemental powers against the sea and the storm...
And he failed. The tide swiped everything away…
He couldn't protect Atlantis...
Everything was gone in one day and one night, when a the ocean striked the city with one huge wave...

********************************************************************-

Atlantis found

The gang parted early in the morning due to weather conditions - the temperature was much bearable in the early hours, before the sunrise. As it was rising, they left more and more kilometers behind in the sand, and soon majestic, proud, bare hills... and less and less clothes on themselves. Ags was joyriding half-naked... but if this was not enough, Phillie, as a big lion, wore nothing more than his underpants. He kept his bestial form in case dust pollution and sand, so tose tiny piecese at least stuck on his fur instead of bothering the skin. Renato remained in the back of the jeep, his hair tied. He let Casey lean to him, as she was sleeping. She kept good care of them during the night, keeping the campfire burning, and watching out for some scoprions. It seems her ultrasound deterction as a bat is more than useful.

Renato looked at her. He recalled their chithcat will Phillie yesterday, about their relationship. They say people change... the ungly truth is, rarely any of them does, especially after a certain age. Cez was definitely one of them, it was enough to think about the arguement they had at home when they took care of Ags. He looked her a bit more closely... taking a few moments to realize how much this longer hair suits to Casey... then suddenly, he snapped out of it. "It has been too long ago"- he was schoulding himself- "And it didn't work out. They same reason why it wouldn't work out now. Casey is incorrigible, you know that well... and you had been confirmed by it as well." He looked back at her, taking another few moments on staring at her physical changes: beside the longer hair her face did get a few hints of maturation. Didn't seemed so young and boyish anymore... He signed: "Stop fooling yourself with her changes on the outside. Are you willing to take this risk, and do it all over again?"- his inner voice turned into a straight navy captain1s tone- "Let her go already, this is an order!"

This appeared to be surprisingly affective - he silently thanked to all these years serving for the navy - he caught himself keeping his eyes on the road with the other two on the front seats.
-Where are we?- asked as they passed at the bald and grim hills, and a small resort which was laying on their feet. Phillie pointed at the resort:
-That's Ouadane, the last place before our destination - then he poined to the edge of the hill, which was not far from the resort- behind the hill, and we are there. Suddenly, something kicked in for Renato: his eyes glow in amber yellow. He saw the exact same place where they were at that very moment - the only differen was that it was thousands of years ago: this was not a dry valley. This was the canal, that lead out to the open sea from the three rings. He grabbed Ags' shoulder in his excitement:
-Step on it!- he shouted. The hippie yanked his head back in the sudden spook:
-What's with you, man? He shut up immediately, as he realized Reno's glowing eyes, and as he trasform into his albatross from, blooming out his feathers, his skin turning pale to match them:
-Step on it, I said!- even his voice became more commanding as usual- we get to get there, fast! Ags frowned:
-Whatever, Captain... not if it would get sunken in the meantime...

They passed by the first hill... the first ring. Phillie shrugged, his fur sticking up in the air, his eyes glowing:
-Dude... I can feel it, too. He raised his air up in the air, as he was looking for a divine sigh... or the building that once stood there. The shiveres intensified on him:
-The palace...- he roared, his lion voice full with pride and glory, but turned somewhere far far away in soul- In the name of the mighty Sekhmet, I shall protect your people! I'm gladly obeying for this powerful task! Casey woke up, cleaning out the sleepiness from her eyes:
-What's going on here?- yawned, she clearly was upset about being woken up by a roaring lion. Renato looked at her - even with his eyes glowing, he was still at his senses:
-We're almost there- his smile widened in excitement- Phillie has already kicked in, we are currently reaching ther seconf ring. They were definitely getting close to the another dune, high and pristine as the previous one. Cez's jaw dropped in amazement, as she saw this massive structure leaning over them. Then... as she looked to the diver's seat, her amazement slowely turned into fear:
-Reno... I don't think that it only had kicked in for Phillie...

She was right. Ags's hands were shaking heavilyon the wheel, as he was fighting against his senses - his eyes started to glow as well. Phillie turned there, grabbing the wheel:
-In the name of all wars, what are you doing? They have just passed the second ring, and somehow managed to stop the jeep, as it took a long and loud drift in the dirt. Ags wasn't paying attention at all. First he just jumped out of the car, and took his dragon form in mid air, making a nice twirl in his flight. Renato looked at him, shouting:
-Ags! What are you doing, man? The hippie looked far in the distance - towards the third ring, right in the middle:
-The pharos.... Then slowly he looked back to Reno, making a firm eye contact with him:
-You've entrusted me with the pharos... With his final words he flew right towards the last ring. The albatross had no time to freak out, or act, because Phillie has lost it as well: he roared gloriously once again, got on all fours, like a full lion would, and started to run wildly to the same direction:
-For Sehkmet!

It ewas a blink of an eye, and they were both gone. Renato shrugged, and the ancient and unknown fear started to get under his skin. What happened here back then? What string insticts took over his friends? He turned to Casey:
-I guess it's just the two of us- said with a short beath- we should go. Then he realized... as the bat was just staring at the structure, her eyes glowing as the starry night. She was affected too... she had a previous life here, like they all did. She slowly turned her head to the albatross, mouth semi-open, her voice so soft the a warm pillow full of fresh feather:
-You gave me the night, my love... Renato's eyes widened as he stunned over this approach:
-Cez... you too? She offered a hand to him, with grace, like a noblewoman:
-Let us go, my love- she turned her head towards the middle ring- our position awaits...  That was the point, when Reno realized, that there is no use to fight his insticts anymore. They are, where they needed to be... hopefully, all of them. And now, it's time, to get to the end of this whole mystery. They both took off the ground, leaving the jeep in its place, heading towards the top of the last structure, where Ags and Phillie were already in their position. The last thing Renato remembered, what spotting those two, in oddly specific spots, and he just knew where to go... then, everything turned black...

where we all went wrong?

The party set a camp in the desert. Ags was the first to fall asleep - almost instantly, right after setting up a small camfire with charcoal chunks and some liquid firestarter, and packing out the sleeping bags. He had a heavily grace on his draconic face, while smiling in his sleep.

Casey was away for air patrol. Renato and Phillie were sharing some beer at the campfire - the albatross, and muscular lion.
-Look at the poor devil- Phillie chuckled, pointing at their dragon hippie buddy- at the beginning of the road he looked so miserable, and now he looks so blissful. Just like a little angel... - then he added with some friendly sarcasm in his tone- as if, angels had reptilian scales and breathed fire. Renato laughed quietly:
-He really needed to be taken out- he took a huge sip from his drink- Thanks for giving him the wheel. This joyride definitely rushed through his depression. The lion nodded:
-It was my sheet intention- he looked turned to Reno- Deen told me everything before assigning me to you guys. Not only the task, but also to look after his big bro. Then he scratched his fuzzy head in embarresament:
-Okay... not really "assignment", because we know eachother since we were derpy little teens, and I'm happy to hang around any time with you guys. But under the current conditions, maybe this would be the best way to address why I'm here.

This reminded Renato about the passing out of the other two. He asked:
-Did you see anything?- then he added- you know, when you and Ags...
-Not much- replied Phillie, twirling the bear bottle around his clawls- I had a huge spear, and I stood before a bigass building... probably a palace. He sighed:
-Sorry pal, it was really all just a flash. Renato smiled:
-That's okay. I was just curious- he stared back to the fire- just, it seems a weird coincidence, that you're connected to this madness, as well. The lion smirked:
-Tell me about it - he took a big sip from the beer, and continued- In cases like these it makes me wonder how much Deen was a good choice to be the leader. Maybe she had some 6th sense for sending me with you guys. He got thoughful for a moment: - I mean, beside having a mechanic. I wouldn't be in anybody's place with a broken vehicle. Just look around - waved around with one hand- we're currently in the middle of nowhere. The next establishment is hours from here. The albatross nodded again in agreement:
-That was really thoughtfull of here.

They stood in silence for a moment, as they have drank in sync, then Phillie asked:
-So...- he started really slowly, being aware that this topic might be uncomfortable - you and Cez... ? It was now Reno's turn to scratch his head in embarresment, included with a nervous smile:
-Boy, I really wondered which of you guys would come up with this first. He drank out the last of his beer, continuing in his nervuos smile:
-I don't know...- shaking his head slowly- I really don't know. He looked at Phillie:
-I did remember, why we grew apart... but I honestly didn't think about coming together again. Then he stared back to the fire:
-It's been years... and there was a broken trust. And people don't change after a certain point, you know - Renato shrugged- I'm glad we speak to eachother... but I'm not sure if we could get back ever again. Phillie nodded. He didn't completely agreed, but he acknowledged what Reno is thinking. He slapped his back for encouragement:
-Don't overthink it buddy. Nothing worths overthinking, not even chicks.

Renato smiled back with hints of relief. First time since the breakup he could discuss his messed-up relationship with Casey. Thankfully, he received understanding. He remembered how much these friends ment to him.
-By the way- he asked back- what about you and Deen? Phillie fell calm, smiling, and his voice idealistic:
-Things are going pretty good. You know, I never thought that a wild cat like her could grow into such an amazing and responsible woman - took a drink from the bottle, before proceeding - I'm considering marrying her. Reno's eyebrows skipped up. Right, it has been quite a time since Phillie and Deen are dating seriously, but he never thought about hearing these words out loud.
-Woah- his jaw dropped in his surprise- what about she being the matriarch? And what does Ags have to say about it? The mechanic shrugged:
-We grew up. I guess I can handle when she appoaches me as a wife, or gives me order as a matriarch. It's a thin like between the two, since we are talking about the same person, but... it's like separating you job with your private like. He turned to Renato:
-You're approaching you navy mates outside of the army, right?
-Good point- Reno strongly agreed.
-'Bout him- Phillie waves towards Ags with the beer bottle in his paw- officially, he hasn't got much say in it. I still hope that he gets better, so does our relation. I wouldn't mind having a the happy hippie back as my brother-in-law. Renato smiled wildely. Perhaps it's Phillie with his positive and carefree attitude is the one who changed the least of them.

Cez arrived back, landing near the campfire, instantly looking for a blanket:
-It's freezing- she hissed, as she wrapped herself up, sitting down close to he warming blazes.
-How's it going?- asked Phillie. Casey flapped down her big bat ears to conserv as much heat as possible:
-No clouds or stong currents. We'll have a peaceful night. She turned to both guys:
-You can go to sleep. I'll stand guard and keep the fire burning. Renato took a long stare at her. He almost asked back if she was sure about this decision, but he both realized that Casey is always up at nights due to her totem, and it is also useless to argue with her.
-Goodnight, Cez- he ssid finally, as he fell asleep alongside with Phillie, leaving her in charge...

sandride

It was late afternoon, and the Sun was reaching the horizon when the gang dashed from Nouakchott into the wide open. Endless dunes of sand, as far as the eye could see.

Ags seemed to enjoy being behinf the wheel - he stepped on it real hard, and shout out loud in joy. Like someone who had its first ride on a rollercoaster. Phillie sat beside him, having both compass, paper map and a GPS at hand. But when he wasn't checking the route, he checked on the hippie. He smiled in satisfaction, as he saw Ags being his old self again, screaming in excitement.

The other two were in the back of the jeep, on a plateau, with the backpacks and the supply, sharing in the joy of the sand navigation. Cez turned to Renato:
-Wanna meditate some? Reno looked back in curiousity:
-Why should I?
-Because you didn't sleep much - Casey explained - and we both have a lot of way up ahead. The other two already has it under control, so don't have much to do. Renato nodded:
-You're right. He slowly laid down, made himself comfortable - as much as this is possible on the back of a bumping jeep - and put his head into Casey's crouch. She started to massage his head, and started humming. It was the same humming with the bat-like chirping, but the vehicle's sounds mostly enveloped its noise. Still, the massage, and the vibration didn't lose a bit... and it was all that mattered...

Renato found himself among a bunch of random scenes. In the first one, he was doing some administrations - at least, it seemed like it considering the summs, equations and totals. It was somekind of budget calculation. And he wasn't alone: two other men were with him. The only difference was, that he was in his bestial albatross form, and a very detailed and ornated suit with jewels, while the otehr two seemed perfectly human, black-skinned, and with much simpler clothes than his. Probably they were his subordinated...
In the next scene, he was performing some ritual, before an altar. The altar itself was enormous: both wide and tall - made of gold and some blue gemstones - sapphire maybe? - and on the top of it, the statues of Poseidon stood proodly, raising his mighty trident. As he realized the others around him, wearing the same clothes as the two in the previous scene, renato relaized, that they were priests. This meant... he was the high priest here...
Another scene followed: he, flighing in the sky. Big, fat, dark clouthes started to gather around him slowly. He wasn1t simply flighing around them... it was another ritual. He was doing specific maneuvres in the sky, gathering all those clouds, stuffed with precious rain. The peasants from the acricultural zone begged him for help. There was no rain for weeks, however, the salty water of the sea couldn't help much nurturing their crops. Zoolooks always had connection with nature, and had the ability to decypher and manipulate nature - something that mankind considered magic. Still, it wasn't always a small or insignificant task - especially in big deals, like this ritual. Gathering so many clouds could easily cause imbalance. He had to calculate his moves for the rituale, what to gather, and where to gather from - if he "stole" rain from otehr countries in need, that may cause climating disasters. The safest way was to get the rainclouds from above the Atlantic Ocean - still caused a certain level of imbalance, but it was less worse than making another country suffer due to the lack of rain. Now... he saved the people. The rain fell on the glorious city and on all its 3 rings...

Renato stood up in spook, breaking in sweat. It was almost dark. The last rays of the setting Sun tinted the horizon. The jeep was standing in one place. He looked around:
-What happened? Casey was laying back to the edge of the jeep's back, chilling:
-You saw? Renato kept nodding:
-I saw.. a lot. I was the high priest of Atlantis. Casey smiled mildly:
-How pelicular... Renato didn't pay much attention to her. More on the fact that the otehr two didn't responde. Looked around again:
-Why aren't we moving? What's with Phillie and Ags? Cez waved down with one hand:
-They passed out. About 10-15 minutes after you fell in trans. As she saw Renato's expression stunning in fear, she added:
-At least, our hippie noticed that something was fishy going on, and he slowed and stopped the jeep. But them, both fellas' eyes were glowing. I guess, more of us conencted to this story, than we thought. Renato sighed:
-Boy... and it seems, Deen knew who to pick. At this point, no onw would guess if Phillie is in, as well..

Nouakchott

The flight to Nouakchott seemed longer than they imagined. They were seated on a cargo plane for extra cover. Moments like these made Renato really wonder how much Deen has grown into her matriarch position, taping all connections, they have not even dream of: one cargo pilot, who happened to a part of their kind and community, tinkered a few schedules here and there in the management - where another zoolook happened to be - and finally, the connection who awaits for them on the African continent. How could this little girl have access to this crazy amount information. Also, what about the other matriarchs in other countries and continents? Is there a main matriarch somewhere, or multiple matriarchs have to work strictly together? The second options seemed more reasonable, as per human society it had a perfect example in the coutry-leader system. Renato sighed and amazed... he never thought about these kinds of things before. He never had to. Even when he was on mission as in his years of sailor within the navy, he didn't need to rely on anyone else - including his unit (for obvious reasons), and his own matriarch (for zoolook matters).

Casey slept the entire flight. Due to her totem, she was more a night owl than a morning person - no wonder her Vada VooDoo Tattoo Salon opened in the early afternoon. The other two were oddly quiet. Renato figured that they seemed hard to come truce, especially for Ags. The once-carefree hippie got pretty piled up with anger and bitterness: girlfriend of four-years-relationship left him, substance absuce, and appearently he was mad at Phillie out of sheer jelousy simple because he got along with his sister. Both jelous and ignored. Phillie seemed to care this situation more light-hearted, still, he wasn't completely sure how to approach Ags completely with the matter. Renato sighed: "Since when did things become so complicated?"

They arrived in the around noon. The heat was unbearable, and slowly the jetlag started to kick in. Cez had to experience it first handedly, as they were getting off the place in their human forms:
-It's still morning? - she yawned, rubbing her eyes - too much light over here.
-And too much humidity - affirmed Phillie, as he tied his huge mane with a rubber band - It's like an open-air sauna here... Ags grabbed up his backpack:
-I say, we should get moving. Our contact must be in their airport waiting room. They all packed up, and went to the exit. They marched their way through the terminal, like a bunch of clumsy tourists, and finally head out.

A few cars and taxis parked in front of the terminal - buses were on continuous movement as they dropped out the people and picked up the next group. At one of the taxis there was a Mediterranean/Arabian looking guy, bronze skin, dark brown hair, and in baggy light clothes. He smiled timidly, then approached the party. The other four stunned.
-In he the guy? - asked Phillie.
-I dunno, man - said Ags finally- my sister might have organized this mission by every gear and gadget, but she kinda failed to provide a proper description. Philli chuckled:
-Classic Deen. She still keeps losing herself in the small details, and focusing on the bigger picture. The stranger finally arrived to them, and asked:
-Are you the ones sent by the one called Edina Agosto? Renato nodded:
-Yes, we are. The stranger's smile widend with relief and excitement:
-My brethren from the other side of the ocean!- he hugged them as they were - I'm Khaled. But you call me Spike. Our matriarch sends her blessings to you. The other four was a bit shocked by the extreme heartful greating, but slowly they try to loosen up. One by one, they introduced themselves:
-Renato Atu
-Casey vada
-Jean-Phillippe Prezioso
-Darko Agosto. Spike waved towards the cars:
-Come, my brethren! I'll take you to my place to have a rest after your flight. They squeezed themselved in their guide's taxi. The wasn't much space, and the extreme sweating because of the heatwave didn't help on this situation, at all.
-Watch it, handsome!- said Ags, as he got stuck under Phillie's armit. The mechanic's grin widened:
-Why should I? Enjoy my musk, dear soon-to-be-brotehr-in-law. Casey just burst out in a huge laughter:
-I can't leave you two - she shed a tear of joy - I never though I would hear any of you teasing eachotehr in the goddamn community! Renato smiled... he didn't hear Casey laughing so cheerful for a long time, either...

Spike took them to his outskirt house. It was a one-floor cozy place. He made them take off their shoes before entering, and asked them to take a seat in the living room. Renato looked around: it there were barely any decorations, one modest sofa, a big rug in the middle and sitting cushions on the floor:
-I see you keep it traditional, like the most of us. Spike looked back from another room - probably the kitchen:
-More or less. You see, I'm actually from Morocco. Renato raised an eyebrow:
-How's that so? Their host disappeared behind the wall - proceeding preparing a meal, but that didn't keep him away from responding:
-There are barely 4 million inhabitants in Mauritania. It might be a big country, but most parts are inhabitable. Among these barely 4 million inhabitants there are very few zoolooks. Our matriarch asked me to move my ass down here from Morocco to assist you with your mission. She provided my this house for rent, a taxi to blend in, bills, accounts, and much more. Oh by the way, your jeep awaits in the garage, as well. Reno's jaw dropped. He just learnt what huge of an organization it took from their badass female leaders just for the four of them to fulfull this quest smoothly. Spike replied once again:
-I'm preparing lunch for you. Wash you hands in the meantime, would you? Please use the kettle. After his words all four of them started to scan the room. There was a plastic kettle and a washbowl in the corner. The kettle was fileld with water.
-He is a traditionalist - Casey affirmed - let's not be rude, guys.

After handwash and about half an hour, their host has arrived with a few baguettes and a big bowl - filled with pieces of saucy chicken, boiled potatoes, peppers and onions. All smelled delicious. Also, he changed to his beastial form: his head was covered in sandbrown spikey, so as a part of his neck from behind. It all ended up in a massive scorpion tail. At least, that explained his weird nickname. Something kicked in for Phillie, as he saw the baguettes:
-Now it rings a bell...- his jaw dropped, and looked at Spike- This place was under French authority. It got independent in 1960. Spike smiled:
-You're well informed, my brethren. How do you have this knowledge. Phillie dugs in the food, scouping the sauce and the pieces:
-Mom's French. Dad, on the other hand, is Italian. Spike laughed timidly:
-Probably our kind was the first in all history who never made a deal about nationality or any other tribal original. It seems this hasn't changed a bit. Renato looked at Casey. Beside nationality, some zoolooks didn't care about other things, either. In their case, they both had a human parent. In Cez's case, it was her father. She learnt her mom was a zoolook after marrige, but he didn't care. When she passed away tradicly, he was mouring for months. Still, he kept being a good father for Casey and her twin sister Kita. In Renato's case the scenario was a bit different:his mom was human, and his dad was a zoolook. However, his dad was really upset, when Renato started to show his abilities given by his totem. His father - with this marrige - hoped for a human child instead of a zoolook. A few years after that, he put Reno out with his personal stuff and left with his mom. No womder Renato had to be indipendent since the ago of 16. He sighed. "Why did this have to come just right now?"

They were almost donw with the meal, when Spike continued:
-I suggest you to depart in the late afternoon. Currently, there's a killing heat out there, and it is even worse in the open Sahara. the water supply and the fire tools are already packed in the back of the jeep. Most probably you'll spend the night in the desert. And, believe me, during the night it's freezing cold. Phillie nodded with a friendly smile:
-Thanks for your advice. Ags stretched:
-In the meantime, let's get some shut-eye, shall we? We have a lot ahead. Spike started to serve the mint tea, Cez replied, while accepting a glass of the drink:
-I took all the nap required. You guys just go ahead. Renato accepted another glass, and stared curiously on the party:
-By the way, who's driving? All of them fell dead silent, they could almost touch the awkward tension in the room. Phillie then turned to Ags, and slapped him in the back:
-You go, pal. Ags looked at him surprisedly:
-Why me? - he was glad, but he couldn't deal with the mechanic's decision. Phillie replied:
-I deal with the navigation system. If that fails, I still have the compass and the map - then he pointed to Cez and Renato - the other two can deal with the hypnotic and spiritual bullshit, if we might get stuck. Renato nodded:
-Right. That's seems a sound idea.