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.

assembling the party

The gathering had been summoned.
It was localed in their secret basement, somewhere in the middle of the city. The huge room gave a really cozy atmosphere: giant navajo rugs on the floor, smaller ones on the wall alongside with ritual shamanic masks of African and Oceanian origin, a few oriental paper lanterns, wooden tribal shields and a fireplace on the side. In all, the placed looked like an ancient tribal spot of hardly-identifiable origin. Zoolooks have gathered lot of relics of their own during the ages.

Everyone were in their bestial forms. Renato and Casey kept it quite casual, while Ags wore swwatpants and a warm hoodie. He felt and looked much better - as the meds and his friends' care kicked in- however, he was still a little pale, and down. He choose this wardrobe of choice, because he wasn't willing to take the risk to fall back in his previous shitty condition. Deen appeared in her own bestial form as well: the winged red cat. She had one of those rare cases when two totems clashed over her, and couldn't agreed on which would patronize her. So, she has received both the wild cat and the bald eagle. This resulted a pretty majestic look, which was augmented by her traditional clothes she currently wore: native tribal longsleeve and pants, with traditional pattern on them, and a necklace with teeth, wooden beads and feathers with a modest gem in the middle.

She scaned the three of them, her voice was even more solemn than usual:
-So... you claim that you have found Atlantis, and you require support for your expedition. Renato sighed. Surely, in the first gatherings then Deen was elected matriarch in her early teenage, it was weird to hear her speaking so prim. Not to mentioned, that she was the youngest among them for a long time. But since she got used to her role - and grew in adulthood - she had been taken dead serious on the gatherings. He opened his mouth to speak up, but Casey raised her hand, stopping him:
-Let me do the talking. She wasn't ordering. She was asking - both for permission to take over and for his trust. Renato nodded. Cez grabbed a folder:
-Yes, we did - she replied to the matriarch with a straight face - Probably Renato told you about his dreams. Turned out, they weren't in vain. When I performed the hypnosis on him, we have learnt more about the location. She handed the folder to Deen. While the matriarch was accepting it, she took a look on Ags:
-And may I know, why is my brother involved? Casey hummed in agreement and replied:
-We have discovered, that he might be connected to this whole story, as well. Not as deeply as Renato... I couldn't find the reason why. But I suspect his substance abuse and temporary illness for it. Hearing this, Ags grumpled in displease. As his mind slowly cleared and started to coming to his senses, he wasn't too proud of his actions. Then he caught a brief eye contact with his sister. Deen didn't judge him. She was sorry, and understanding by the look of those dark-blue eyes.

Then she turned back to the folder, and opened it, examining its content. Casey continued:
-By the description of Renato's dreams and visions, we started to do a research. It took as two days and two nights- signed- And for the biggest plot twist of them all, Atlantis was never where we or humankind ever thought it would be. Judging by the look on the matriarch's face, she has arrived to that very chapter that Cez was talking about - her eyes widend, her mouth dropped semi-open, and her cat ears sharpened straight up:
-This isn't the middle of the ocean!- she exclaimed all the sudden - this is the Sahara desert! Renato couldn't help, but smile... This reaction should have been predicted. Who would ever thought to search for a land of the waters in the middle of the desert? He replied:
-To be more precice, it's the Richat structure, also known as the Eye of Sahara. If you observe the rings of the structure, they are almost perfectly concentric, some of them are higher and others are lower- he started explaining - These a upper and lower circles are varying, and if you picure how would it looked if it was fileld with water... then you get the three rings of land and three rings of water.
-Also - Cez continued - if you check the territory between this structure and the Atlantic ocean, you could see a part of a road leading there. In addition, the whole place looks like from the satelite photos if it has been struck by a gigantic tidal wave...

More or less that was the time, when Deen finished with the documenty. She looked back to the other three again, with affacinated expression on her face:
-So, when it said "in a single dreadful day and night life was swallowed up  by the sea and vanished" was not referring to an island that sank into the ocean. It was refferring to a costal metropolis, that was struck by a massive tidal wave, that scrubbed it off from the surface of the earth. The other three was nodding in agreement.

Finally Renato stood up:
-We require your support for this expedition - he was reasoning- were could learn both about Atlantis, and our own history, as well. Since we no barely anything about the place, we don't know what role our people could have played there. And if my dreams are to give credit for, zoolooks had been there. The question is, for what purpose? Deen closed the folder:
-So, it's your final decision? You're all going?
-We are all required for this mission- said Renato - Ags and I have some strange connection with the place. And Casey has her psychic abilites, she can give as a mental kick, if we might get stuck in the progress. The matriarch nodded:
-Very well - she got her cool back again, and continued professional- I'm going to contact our people in Mauritania. First you'll need to get to Nouakchott by plane, where our contact gets you a jeep and some supplies. Also, Phillie is going with you.

Renato and casey wasn't much surprise about the extra passenger, but Ags - who was dead silence all along - exclaimed all the sudden:
-What the hell? - he even stood up in his dismay- Why is that asshole coming with us? He started to walk back and forth in the room:
-We don't need extra protection, we can take care of ourselves. Or you just want to keep on eye on us so we don't fool around?
-He's a mechanic, you dumm dumm- Deen lost it, and even if her posture remained majestic, her voice trasformed to meddling sisterlike- If anything happens to the jeep in the  desert, he can fix it. Otherwise, good luck finding an expert in the middle of nowhere.

Ags fell silent. His sister was right. Still, all the situation bugged him. Renato and Casey thanked and sterted moving on. The hippie left behind - perfect opportunity for Deen to grab his arm and stop him:
-Hey,,, - she said softly. His brother looked back in a grim look - not the face that he used to have. His sister sighed:
-I'm sorry - she whispered- I should have known better, and should have looked out for you.
-Don't mention it - murmored Ags and stripped his arm from Deen's hold- you were too busy hanging with your boyfriend... Deen anxiously big her lips, then with a definite move she grabbed his arm again:
-I said that I'm sorry, and I mean it!- she exclaimed. Her brother stunned, and looked back at her. His facial expression softened a bit. Deen hugged him:
-Promise me, you take care of yourself, okay?- she whispered, holding him tight- swear me, to the matriarch, that you're gonna take care of yourself. I'll try to do better, when you get back. Ags' eyes got a bit more wet after this. Being so desparate for months he completely forgot his friends... not to mention her sister. He didn't admit he needed help... and this help was within reach. He hugged back:
-I swear it, to my matriarch....

Fever

Next morning. The mood was vigorously gloomy, for multiple reasons.
First, Ags’s condition got worse. During the night his fever escalated, and he was sweating so hard, that the other two could squirt bottles of water from his blanket. So, before doing everything else in the morning, they pulled the hippie dragon in the bathroom, and let the ice cold shower pour on him. Ags was howling in agony: the fever was bad enough, clouding his mind, burning his muscles, but now – as the shower seemed extremely colder for him in this condition – the chill pierced to his bones. He felt unable to move, just curled up in the cabin, shaking, given such a vulnerable and pathetic impression, than never before. Renato tried to give him some emotional support:
-It’ll be all better, buddy. This is for your own good. Just two more minutes to bare. Ags was weeping in his agony:
-I’m gonna fucking die by that time! Renato pat his shoulder:
-At least you didn’t fully lost your humor. There, there…

As soon as he got dried, redressed in Renato’s spare pyjamas, and drugged with antibiotics, Ags was wrapped again in a fresh new blanket. He fell asleep right away. The whole scenery was just enough to break the ice between the other two – since the mood was really blue since their argument last night.
-Poor devil – Renato shook his head – he’s in deep mess this time.
-He’ll be just getting better from this point- affirmed Casey – the meds and his dragon mojo will do the trick.
-What about his willpower?- Renato was a bit doubtful- if we take out his sleepwalk, the last time we saw him, he was deeply desperate. Cez hummed, but didn’t reply.
“That settles it”- thought Reno- “He will get better physically, but saving his soul would require his cooperation… if he wishes to cooperate, that is”

-We should carry on with our part of the plan, in the meantime- said Casey all the sudden. Right… Ags was out of the question. But Renato could still proceed with the hypnosis. He set on the floor, legs below his body, with a posture that kinda gave him a respectful look:
-Okay… don’t go easy on me. Casey grinned for a short moment:
-Believe me, I won’t. Renato closed his eyes.

The bat began to hum on a semi-loud tone. Renato started to loosen himself on the smooth melody. First it seemed like a vocal-test before singing… then slowly he observed the well-known bat chirps within the humming. Finally, the whole melody has slowly turned into a lullaby. He didn’t completely lose himself though – he felt a massaging, buzzy and warm feeling growing on his forehead, spreading over his eyes, then fully covering his head…

The three rings of land and three rings of water… almost perfect concentric circles, with small cuts of canals here and there. Different quarters on different rings: the inner, the despotic and imperial ring, then the middle ring of the merchants and craft artists, and the outer ring of military. From the outer ring a wide canal led out in the open, towards the ocean. He looked around: the huge city was surrounded by steeped hills covered in thick flora. And all over that vivid fauna… the endless desert…

He woke up from the hypnosis all the sudden, gasping for air, ventilating for minutes. Cez stood up in excitement, examining her ex from a safe distance:
-What happened? What did you see there? As soon as Renato could catch his breath, he replied:
-I have found Atlantis – he stood up, looking directly into Casey’s eyes, and smiled victoriously – I know where it is. We need to go there, right away!

Guardian of the pharos

Ags fell asleep right away, as he got comfortable in the guest room. The other two wrapped him up in a blanket, like a burrito and left him on the other bed. He felt cosy and secure instantly. Cez smiled in satisfaction:
-Like a big baby- chuckled in her raspy tomboy voice- seems that changing to a cleaner environment does release a significant amount of depression. Renato looked at her – also couldn’t help, but smile. When was the last time he saw his bat companion being happy about something? Then his expression melt away in a sharper look and hardened face: the last nth time they met or talked, she was furious. Those were the very days, when Renato really wondered, how come she got a bat for a totem, and not a harpy eagle…

-What?- Casey just interrupted his train of thoughts, staring at him puzzled. Renato sighed:
-Do you insist to stay? We’re kinda out of beds, unless you want to share mine. Cez frowned:
-You’re really underestimating me, don’t you? With these words, she flew up, found one of the decorative beams on the ceiling, and hung upside down:
-I’m still a bat, dummy. I can easily get myself comfortable. Renato smiled back at her – he had been just outwit by this batty’s outstanding move. Gotta admit, Casey was always pretty resourceful.
-Goodnight – he said on a cheered voice, and got into bed. It has been a long time, since he had company in his apartment. This moment brought back those long-lost times, when they were just a bunch of carefree teenagers, goofing around, with grandiose plans in their heads. How sweet and innocent they were – Sighed – and how wasted and broken they have become…

The dream stroke again. The three rings of land and three rings of bodies of water. He was in the middle ring, nearly on the highest point. The tides are coming… and the biggest one approaches. There is no chance, but he has to try – given, he’s the guardian of the sea and storms. He flew directly to amazing wave, charged it. He’s the albatross zoolook, also a force of nature. He has to protect the ones he serves. The tide swiped everything away…
Renato woke up with heart pound. But what made him breaking into cold sweat, was just coming now…

The sheer silhouette of a slender green dragon, arching above him, his green eyes glowing vivid and in ecstasy, like shining emeralds. It was Ags… in his bestial form. But something was freaky off about him.
-A-Ags- Renato could help, his voice shook in terror. The dragon replied – he seemed to recognize him, but at the same time, it sounded like he was talking to someone distant:
-The pharos… you’ve entrusted me with the light of the pharos…  Reno got even more confused:
-What are you talking about? He grabbed onto the dragon’s wrist. Feeling the strong grab, Ags seemed to come to his senses. The glowing died out from his eyes… however, they got shut down, as well. His body slowly began to lose, joint by joint… eventually, he collapsed. Reno just caught him in the very last moment, preventing him to fall on the floor, and get seriously hurt.

-Casey!- he yelled. The bat flew there immediately – she probably got scared by Renato’s alarming voice.
-What is it? – she screamed. Renato lowered his voice a bit, as he laid down the dragon slowly on the floor:
-Ags… he was sleepwalking- he started to explain, his voice blocked from time to time from terror- he was talking about some kind of Pharos… Casey put her hand on Ags’s forehead. It was mildly warm, probably nothing to worry about. Then he checked on of his eyes. The pupil was reacting to the vague light, but he didn’t wake up.
-He's unconscious- she affirmed, then turned to Renato – did you happen to have you re-occurring dream again?

Renato’s eyes widened. Yes… he did. And then Ags was mumbling this gibberish about protecting a certain light. Could the two things be connected? As they were placing back their dragon hippie buddy on the guest bed, wrapping him again like a green reptile burrito in the blanket, Renato shared these thought with Casey. She looked concerned, hearing and processing all those information… finally she nodded:
-Reno, my boy… we are in a deeper shit than I thought – pointed at him – tomorrow, hypnosis. You, Ags, and me. You boys will get your mind tinkered. Renato frowned:
-You know… you already did that, when we are dating. Cez flew up, grabbed a hold on the beam again, and hung down:
-It seems it wasn’t affective enough- she grunt- you’re still stupid.

Renato didn’t reply instantly. He stood just stood there, thinking, how much he got tired of this attitude. He looked up back at her:
-Why are we doing this? Casey looked out from behind her wings:
-Come again?
-I still keep acting defensive against you – he exclaimed- and for a reason, because you keep insulting people, including me. This is not a rebel anymore, you’re a grownup now, and your actions have serious consequences. No wonder, people don’t stay around you for long. Cez hissed:
-You take that back! Renato growled:
-No, I won’t. NOW, I won’t – he exclaimed even further - I cared so much about you, that I put aside all these bullshit… just for you. But I had enough at one point. And to maintain us, it wasn’t just about me anymore. It was about you, too, you know. And you didn’t do anything. Casey hissed again, on a low voice:
-Oh, just piss off!
-Gladly – said Renato and went back to bed.

a life wasted

A few days had been passed and the dead end with the investigation remained. Renato was so stunned by not getting any results, that the following nights were completely dreamless.
“No result”- he murmured- “Cez must be nuts by making me believe such types of bullshit…” He was still restless, though. What was his tinkering with? This childish scenario about his dreams made him call his bat-shit crazy ex, and made him call out the matriarch in the open…

Suddenly, it popped in…. Ags. Deen’s big brother. Then again, he hasn’t been seen for months… He set down on his bed, covering his face in both hands:
“Why would Ags happen in this picture? I have absolutely no business with him”- he kept shaking his head, hoping that these insane thoughts might drop out and get rid of them for good. But they insisted to stay, sticking like a flytrap. Finally, he sighed in both his hands: “I better check on him…” He stood up, to reach his phone, but then, he froze for a second. No one knew what happened to Ags exactly. What if he got into a huge mess? Adult or not, zoolook or not, this better be no one-man mission. A backup would be optional… and at the moment, for some devilish reasons, he could not think of any better backup, than her…

The phone rang.
-Vada Voodoo Tattoo Salon, sorry but we’re closed.
-Cez, it’s me again – Reno interrupted as fast as possible.
-Seriously? - grunted Casey- you called a few days ago and now you miss me already, or what? This better be not a creepy stalker moment.
-It’s not – shout Renato, then sooth his temper and continued on a calmer voice- it’s about Ags.
-Ags? – Casey scratched her ear in boredom- Our dear boy Darko Agosto? He must be with his beloved girlfriend, as last time.
-No, Cez, he’s missing for months!- yelled Renato, so loud, that they both fell dead silent. One could almost touch the awkward tense in the air. Cez had a bitter taste in her mouth with a pinch of guilt. She wasn’t fond of having someone completely abandoned within the clan. And knowing her ex, this wasn’t some lame joke or endeavor to get back them together. Renato was sincerely worried… and he wanted backup. She almost felt honored for a second, that he still trusts her on this very level that she had been asked for this mission.
-You’re saying, we should check up on him, right?
-Positive- confirmed Reno. Casey grunted a bit, the replied:
-Do you still know his place? Meet me there in thirty – she ordered, so straight-forward, not leaving a speck of space for any other topic – We take a look at that idiot.
-Roger that- Reno replied and hung up the phone.

Ags, 34, was known as the long black-haired and emerald-eyed hippie, who always manipulated tense situations with his smooth-talk, but he was never afraid to take a fight when things got ugly. Renato could have sworn multiple times, that if their society had been patriarchal instead of matriarchal, Ags would have been a really badass leader.
The two met in front of the apartment – both in their true colors: Renato in albatross feathers on his arms – like wings – around the eyes, with a red mark on his lips – same red mark as on his totem’s beak. Cez with sharp black bat ears, elongated teeth and fingers – as her arms transformed to bat wings. Renato noticed something else on her:
-Your hair… it’s longer. True, it was the first time Casey left her hair shoulder-length instead of cutting it down to tomboyish.
-What? – she frowned – you like it?
-It kinda suits you – admitted Renato, like confirming something out of the blue. Cez sighed:
-Okay, Romeo, let’s move on…


They went to their pal’s floor. Renato knocked on the door:
-Ags… you’re okay buddy? No response. The two stared to each other. Then Cez knocked – harder, and yelled in her usual scandalous style:
-You there? Move your ass here, you hippie, and open the goddamn door! As she stopped, both of them were listening closely. There was some moaning coming from over, such as a haunting ghost or a dying ghoul. The two of them stared at each other again, this time, with sheer horror on their faces.
-This can’t be good – whispered Reno.
-Watch me!- hissed Cez, and with a massive kick, she burst the door.

On their surprise – and possibly relief – there was nothing behind the door… at least nothing menacing. The whole place was one big mess, like the Doberdo battlefield: dishes unwashed, dirty clothes from floor to ceiling, the stench of self-negligence and depression oozing over the place. Cez pressed her lips together in disgust -  she was aware of the fact she wasn’t much lady-like, however, even this level of dirt and stench burst through her mess-o-meter. While she was struggling with this whole new experience, Renato yelled:
-Ags?
-Leave me alone…. – a vague response came from the bed. Renato turned on the lights…

There was he… the once glorious hippie, who was radiant of confidence – now pale, sad, and weak. He lost some weight, too. A burnt-down joint was sticking out from the corner of his mouth, and a  bottle of cheap whiskey was in his right hand. Renato looked all over at him, and felt an amazing worry and pity for him:
-Oh man… look at you… - he finally stopped, maintaining firm eye contact with him, in his sallow eyes- what happened to you? Ags sipped – sounded like a sad sip after crying:
-She left me…- took the joint out of his mouth, and made a few grand gestures while explaining- she just… gone… without a word… Without explaining… He searched on and under the bed with his free hand, until he found another joint. He inserted it in his mouth:
-I don’t know where I went wrong… I wish I knew and fix all this – his thumb lit, a small red flame was dancing on its tip- there is nothing for me now…

Right before he could light the next joint, Cez hit it out of his mouth with a fast blow of her hand:
-Quit it! The hippie looked at her with a desperate and shocked face, like she just have murdered a bag of kittens:
-W... why? The bat sighed in anger, held between her eyes for a few seconds with two fingers – probably she was counting to ten and gathered her thoughts. She couldn’t afford to lose her temper against a friend in need. Finally, she let go with her two fingers and looked back to the hippie:
-Look – she leaned closer- this is not okay. You can’t lose yourself because of ruined relationship.
“How ironic”- thought Renato sarcastically- “When we tore up, you threw half of the chinaware at me….” Casey kept talking to Ags:
-We were worried, you know – her voice was firm but still, there was a hint of caring – now, you’re going to get up, and we’ll take care of you.

Renato shook his head for a moment and turned to the bat:
-Sorry, I must have misunderstood. Did you just say, “We take care of… him”? Cez turned to the albatross:
-Stop being a cry baby, and help me – she dug under the hippie’s shoulder to help him on his feet – of course, we’ll take care of him. He’s one of us. Renato helped her, and they were both supporting Ags, helping him slowly out of the house:
-Then tell me, wise-ass- he grunted at Casey- what’s your plan? Taking it to your place?
-Of course not!- yelled the bat, then she changed her tone like it was all natural- We’ll take it to YOUR place, since my flat is just a rat hole. There is plenty of space at your apartment. And I’ll stay for the night, just in case. Renato’s face transformed into a sneaky grin:
-Oh, look who’s missing who..
-Shut up, asshole!- yelled Casey- I only do this for Ags. Renato couldn’t help, but keeping his semi-victorious smile:
-Keep telling that to yourself…

Deen matriarch

Edina „Deen” Agosto, 28, dark blue eyes. Serving one of the tables in a fancy restaurant, fully-armoured in the server uniform, her long burning-red hair currently in a modest bun. Appearance in everything... and currently she wanted to look as unimportant as possible – perfectly blending in among the other waiters of the place.

The day was busy, as usually, and it was a relief to take deep breath after the shift was done. But as she got out of the personnel backdoor, she encountered a familiar face.
-Do you have a moment? – Renato was facing her, still in his navy uniform. Deen sighed:
-This better be important – her voice was silenced, but calm, not to draw attention – you know well, that I don’t like discussing our people’s matters outside gatherings, for safety reasons.
-I know- Reno nodded and stepped closer- Cez suggested me to talk to you.
-So you’re communicating again- there was some kind of relief in the matriarch’s voice, while she untied her hair and let flow like a gorgeous mane- That’s good news.  For a moment Renato stunned: this being right in front of him used to be one used to be one small loud-mouth little girl. Same rebellious attitude as Cez. Come to think of it, Cez was a bad influence on her, and they kept trolling around back in the days. Now Deen’s a full-grown woman, definitely taller, softer voice, and lots of patients – this last one had to be learn when she became the matriarch out of the blue, and suddenly... had to deal with all other zoolooks’s needs.

-So- she stared curiously and protectively with those dark blue eyes- what is it about? Renato snapped out of his train of thoughts:
-Atlantis. Do you know anything about it? Had our people ever been involved? The matriarch’s eyes widened for a second, they sighed with disappointment:
-We know as much about Atlantis, as humankind does- she explained, this time a little impatience rang in her voice- some mystical island in the middle of the ocean... probably not real at all. She stopped for a moment, they with a bit of a concern she added:
-And even if it was real, I don’t think we were much involved. Probably as messengers between nature and mankind, like everywhere else. There are nothing in our tales or archives about achieving more, or if we had anything to do with Atlantis, in any form. She scanned Renato from toe to head, then back again, slowly:
-Why would you like to know? – she was fully of concern by this time- Why did Cez sent you to me?
-Reoccurring dreams- replied Renato briefly. Deen nodded in agreement:
-I see now...

Then another voice interrupted the chit-chat, coming from the other side of the street:
-Deen! You’re coming? Both of them turned in that direction. It was Jean-Phillippe „Phillie” Prezioso, 36, probably the tallest and most muscular of them all. His unmistakable grin was shining on his bearded face, and with his long fuzzy brown hair and sparkly blue eyes he resemble more his lion totem, than an actual human. Renato slipped his hands in his pockets:
-So... you’re now-fiancé. Doesn’t the age-gap bother you? Deen chuckled:
-Not anymore- she smiled- Even my brother stopped bothering me about it.

„Ags” – popped into Reno’s mind – „what’s with him, anyway? We didn’t see him since a few months, not even on gatherings”. The matriarch waved goodbye as she was heading to Phillie and the car:
-You take care now! Renato waved back to the both of them. Currently, this seems to be a dead end…

long time no hear

It was in the early afternoon, when the phone rang in the old-school tattoo salon.
Casey didn't answer first. She was in progress with a traditional Japanese koi ink on a beefy dude's bicept. When she was finally done with the lines, she decided to give it a break and answer the call:
-Vada Voodoo Tattoo Salon...
-Cez, it' me - it was the almost-forgotten and long familiar voice of Renato. First she got sweet shivers... and then slowly extending anger.
'What does this jerk want?"- she murmured with her inenr voice - "Finally showing up after 5 years, he must be really desparate..."
-Wut?- she answered, in her good old-fashioned trashy style. Since everyone mistook her for a boy for her short, black hair, hard facial features, lack of boobs or butts, and 150 cm shortness, she compensated with overall rudeness... and sometimes with her fists.
-I need a piece of your advice- said Renato.
-Sorry, I don't do dicks - rushed in Casey- those are too sensitive for my work. Renato growled for a moment and shout:
-Would you please listen to me? I have a serious question for you? Cez sighed:
-Why's ya call? Renato gathered his thoughts, and answered:
-It's one of those re-occurring dreams. You used to be keed on them.

Casey's eyes widened for a second:
-You have them? - she lit on a cigarette- what are they about?
-Atlantis - replied Reno, almsot instantly, then with some delay, he added- more specify, when the waves engulf and swipe away the city. Cez took a nice long sip from the tobacco:
-Ya sure it'l Atlantis? It took some moments, but Renato replied:
-I know it, within the dream. I have also seen the three circles of land and three circles od wather withing the city....

It was the girl's turn to lost her words. Reoccurring dreams about a sacred land... as much as she knew, this was serious business. Beside her tomboy attitude she was fond of all esoteric and spiritual studies - firstly because she tried to conserv this aspect of the zoolook nature. She had all the information on reincarnation, divine indication, cleaning, all sorts of ancient cities and communities... but Atlantis. Atlantis barely scratched the surface. She took another smokey sip:
-I'm not really sure why you're having dreams about Atlantis - she explained in a much calmed and conserned tone - that place is such a big-ass doubt, that it might had been non-existent at all. I mean, sure... - sipped the cigarette again- there are common symbols and avatars in different countries... but you can't just simply explain that by a mofo huge island in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. That's a simple-minded approach.

She put out the tobacco:
-Still, we're SOME of a kind - she didn't have in mind to let a customer know within hearing distance that they were zoolooks-, and having reoccurring dreams in our case is serious business. I suggest you to get the matriarch and consult her, asap. You still know where to find her, right? Reno frowned. Of course he knew... he went often to gatherings and met the matriarch. Still... this question required some privarcy, and he had doubts if it was a good idea to bother her after her shift.
-Right- said briedly.
-Good- the voice in Casey's voice just turned back- now, move your ass to her, and stop call me when you mention me in your last will. With her final words, she hung up the phone.

Reno just stood back on the "disconnected" sign on hus mobile phone. Yup... Cez didn't change a bit... maybe got more sour than usual. Who knows...
One's for sure, his next way would lead to the matriarch, right after work....

Renato Atu

The waves are bursting in the city, one at the time, always followed by bigger ones. First it appears that the gates will hold... but then, an eerie silence settles on the whole place, so dense, one can barely touch it.

And then he saw it.... the biggest wave of them all.

There is barely time to think, not to mention fight.... the gigantic tide knows no mercy, and englufs the entire city, and everyone in it, in the blink of an eye....



Renato Atu hits the snooze on the alarm.
"Same dream again" - flows through his mind, as he rubs his face to keep himself awake. "What was Casey saying about these kinds of stuff?" - he mumbled, digging hid fingers in his shoulder-length, brown, curly hear for a wake-up head massage- "She was really superstitions about reoccurring dreams. Better ask her..."
As he finally stood up from the bed, he realized, he shouldn't ask her... at all. The memories crawled into his mind, like a nasty reptile: the vision of them, tearing apart after college, after spending their teenage years together as a couple. They didn't ever met on zoolook reuntions...
Renato looked into the mirror. Checked up on his face, making a few grins - yup, he's getting rugged again, it would be time to shave soon. Took long enough to have whiskers... it started a few before turning to 30. Now he was 34....
He just realized this again, his wet face covered in a towel. It pissed him so much all of the sudden, he threw the towel right on his reflection:
-This is stupid!- he yelled - I'm a grown-ass man! Why can't I just act like one, and call Casey? As he kept staring back to his face in the mirror, he finally sighed:
-Right... because between the two of us, it was always me who acted more adult....

Quick blink on the clock: it's 7:20. As much as he knew, his ex girlfriend because a tattoo artist. What an interesting turn of events... No one thought she could stand any chance with her rebellious attitude in the adult world... maybe predicted to end up as a guerilla in Middle-Africa or a sniper in a warzone. Eventually, Cez did made some commitments with society, opened her little business, and ever since she was ornating people...
"Stupid bat...." - Renato thought, and continued to get ready for work.

During and right after college he spent a few years at the navy as a sailor. As he graduated, he still stayed there, but translocated to navigation, then administration. Seemed a bit more boring, but he wanted to keep it calm for a while.
"I should call her"- he decided as he got ready with tie. All suit up, and he left his place...

Zoolooks

Zoolooks - the connection between humans and etherial beings. Stuck between the state of man and animal in the dawn of times.
As the bridge between nature and mankind, they all had an animal form to shapeshift to - a totem, a spirit who chose them for their duty to maintain this delicate balance in ancient times.
However, as times changed, humanity turned to multiple religions and technology, forsaking nature slowly but surely... thus, the zoolooks, as well. This led from treating them as sacred messager to freaks of nature.

Nowaday, zoolooks and their matriarchic system has smoothly blent into the society of mankind. They work and live, as they do... yet, they gather from time to time, maintaining their rituals and customs, and rely on their matriarch's lead.

They could never dream about becoming bridges of mankind and nature, ever again. They hadn't been more than that.

This journey is about them....