Legends of Amacia Rise of the Caverias

Five minutes later, everyone arrived in the healing chamber. Enoch carried Hanna over to the main part of the healing machine, sitting her down on the patient table nearest to the control panel. Walking a few steps to the control console, Enoch looked down at it for a moment. “Hanna, what I’m about to show you I showed to Nathanael while the healer worked on you before dinner. First, I will call up Thoth’s and Ariel’s genetic code,” he stated as he pushed several of the buttons. Suddenly, a hologram appeared over the console displaying their genetic codes with their names and faces displayed over the double helix. “Every being in the universe has a genetic memory bank encoded into their genetic structure that remembers its line, whether it be human or alien. You see, this is Thoth and Ariel’s genetic code. Now, let me show you Kida’s and my genetic code.” He pushed a couple more buttons and his face, Kida’s face, and their genetic information came up right next to Thoth and Ariel’s code. Enoch’s fingers danced across the console and overlaid the codes one over another for a comparison. Kida’s code was very similar to Ariel’s code but not exact. However, there was enough of a similarity that it was beyond a shadow of a doubt that Ariel was Kida’s ancestor in some way. On the other hand, however, Enoch’s code was nearly identical to Thoth’s code.

Hanna and Nathanael watched in fascination as Enoch manipulated the machine. “Now watch this, Hanna,” Enoch instructed. “As you can see, my code and Thoth’s code are almost the same but not quite. Watch what happens when I combine Thoth’s and Ariel’s code.” When he combined Thoth’s and Ariel’s code and then overlaid the combination over his helix, Hanna’s jaw dropped as it proved without a doubt Enoch was the direct genetic descendant of Thoth and Ariel because their genetic structures were found buried in his own structure.

Hanna looked at Enoch and said, “I’m thoroughly impressed. That kind of genetic detective work cannot be done on the surface. We are just starting to grasp the human genetic code. Even though we’ve mapped the human genome, we’ve only analyzed three to five percent of it, just enough to do identifications and get us into trouble with our gene-splicing operations. We still haven’t figured out what the rest of it means. Furthermore, we have yet to use it to determine deep ancestry.”

Enoch nodded and said, “Now for your structure.” When he touched the console, Hanna’s face and genetic code appeared in the hologram as Enoch and Kida’s code vanished. Enoch also brought up Hannibal’s original code, saying, “We shall also look at your original code as it was recorded in the portable healer you used from Tiamat.” He kept Thoth and Ariel’s code overlapped as Hannibal and Hanna’s structure appeared beside it.

“The little first-aid kit recorded my genetic structure?” Hanna asked in amazement.

“Yes,” Enoch replied. “The little kit records the user’s genetic structure whenever he or she uses it. In that way, it’s remarkably like this apparatus. Nathanael told me you used it when the Emperor seriously wounded you in a psychic attack shortly after reaching Arionath. Therefore, it recorded your genetic structures before you were mutated. Moreover, it also recorded your mutated structure afterwards when you were brought to Acheron after your escape from the Arena. It gave us copies of both, which is very fortunate. Without your original structure, there would be no way for the healer to reverse any riot in your DNA.”

“Slow down,” Hanna murmured, “Why would it or this healer here record my or anyone’s DNA?”

“A fair question,” Enoch replied. “This healer, the first-aid kit, and I’m sure the healers you used back at Tiamat are all the same technology. The basis of the technology is this. When the machine activates and scans a patient, as it did for you earlier, it automatically recorded your genetic makeup in case something was to happen to that genetic structure. If for some reason you were to have a riot in their genetic makeup, this machine would check your normal makeup and if something was wrong with it, it would repair the genetic damage. However, when you initially used the portable healing kit, you had your male form and this genetic makeup as Hanna after your mutation, so it didn’t know there was any problem. It only flagged the change from male to female, but didn’t do anything about it because of its small size. It’s programmed only to heal, not to repair riots in DNA. Only the large healing machines have that ability. The portable healer you brought gave the healer the missing piece to your puzzle: your original genetic code as a man. With this code in the machine’s programming, it could theoretically reverse the mutation. But as we talked before dinner, it’s a risky venture because of your unique codes.”

Hanna was stunned by the revelation. “I didn’t know that,” she admitted. “All those times I used it in the Temple and didn’t know how it was doing what it did.”

“Now for the proof as to who you really are little sister. Watch closely. First, we shall compare your original code with Thoth and Ariel’s code,” Enoch said as he manipulated the console and overlaid Hannibal’s structure over Thoth’s and Ariel’s structure. Hanna looked closely, examining it intensely. Enoch stood beside her and pointed at the telltale segments of Hannibal’s double helix that proved his genetic identity. “Look, there it is: Thoth and Ariel’s genetic code buried inside your own, just as it is in mine. It is small and insignificant, but it is there. You’re the direct descendant of Thoth and Ariel just as I am, which makes us kin. Furthermore, look at these other codes. Here are the Lynxian segments. Look at these other sections here, here, and here. These are alien genetic codes too that are completely alien to even me. I have no idea what species they are. Now look at the chromosomal structure. Count them. How many chromosomes do you see?”

Hanna stared as she counted the chromosomes in her original DNA. “Oh, my god; I really do have 24 chromosomes. What does that mean? Does it mean I’m not human?”

“Far from it,” Enoch stated. “But the presence of this extra chromosome and the alien genetic code meshing flawlessly with your human code seems to be indicating that you’re some kind of hybrid human never seen before, at least in the history I’m aware of. You truly are a unique soul with the blood of great kings flowing through your veins.”

“What about the mutated code?” Nathanael asked. “Does that have everything his original code had?”

“Let’s find out,” Enoch chimed. His fingers danced over the console again, overlaying Hanna’s code over the other genetic structures. Hanna’s genetic alteration from Hannibal became very apparent with the overlay, but the deep unique codes of Hannibal remained untouched by the mutation. In fact, in the Lynxian code segments, the mutation seems to have enhanced them slightly. “Hmmm,” Enoch murmured, finally noticing the activation of some of the Lynxian genes. “I missed this earlier. It seems your mutation has activated some of the dormant Lynxian DNA in you. I think it may have something to do with your unique gifts. But besides that, you can see the obvious mutation the Emperor did to you when comparing your present code to the original. You’re quite the enigma, Hanna. But do you see now why I say you are my kin: a descendant of Thoth and Ariel?”

“You can’t deny it, Hanna,” Nathanael said softly, touching her on the arm as she stared at the holographic genetic codes in stony silence, completely overwhelmed by it. “There it is staring you in the face.”

Hanna finally shook her head and said, “I still don’t want to believe it, but there it is. How can I argue with this? I really am the descendant of an antediluvian king. But the thing that bothers me is how Thoth’s and Ariel’s bloodline reach the surface when it was only Noah and his family that were saved alive to repopulate the surface. This is a real mystery to me. Or have I been deceived in thinking only 8 people survived the Flood?”

“Well, maybe we can help you unravel this mystery,” Enoch replied as everyone watched him shut off the hologram. “Let’s go to the Teacher and discover the truth of this enigma, but I warn you. The truth is often not what you think it may be.” He pushed a few button and healer powered down.

“I have found that to be true in more cases than I care to remember,” Hanna stated as Enoch picked her up.

“Let’s go ask the Teacher your questions, little sister,” Enoch chimed, carrying Hanna out the door. Nathanael followed him with the rest of the family right behind them. Within minutes, they entered a large circular chamber that was nearly eight hundred feet across and a ceiling that rose out of sight. In the center of the room was an enormous machine that Hanna immediately recognized as a teaching machine because it was very similar to the ones she’d seen in Arionath and in the Temple of Tiamat. The machine spanned seventy feet in diameter and a hundred and fifty feet in height with a great crystal protruding from the top of a domed metallic structure that was made of the same material the Teaching Machine at Tiamat was made. All around the machine were crystal sarcophagi that went to the wall in a radiating pattern out from the central machine. Countless sarcophagi lined the walls going up into the darkness of the ceiling. Hanna and Nathanael looked around in awe.

“Wow!” Hanna exclaimed as she looked at the sarcophagi and the machine. “This is an Archive the likes of which I’ve never seen before. There has to be thousands of these crystal sarcophagi in here.”

As Enoch carried Hanna toward the machine, he said, “Tens of thousands. In this place sits the accumulated knowledge of not just this world but many others as well I’m sure. There may very well be knowledge in here that spans the known universe. We have never actually tried to use it in its full capacity. We just don’t have the ability to do it so we just use it in a very limited and specific way to answer specific questions like the one you have. Let’s ask the Teacher your question.” As he spoke, they reached the strange console that was a replica of the one at Tiamat with the strange console and chair. Enoch sat Hanna gently in the chair and stepped back.

Hanna’s face paled as she visibly hesitated; the fear of the machine spreading across her face. “What’s wrong, little sister?” Enoch asked as he saw Hanna’s hesitation and fear.

Hanna shook her head and said, “I can’t. I don’t have the strength or control needed to do this on my own, especially now because of the mutation. It took both Selina and I total concentration to use the one in Arionath, but this one is like the one at the Temple. That one nearly killed me. I can’t do it, not by myself.”

Enoch saw the fear and sighed, saying, “I understand. You fear a repeat of the first time you used a Teacher.”

Just then, Electra stepped up and sat down next to Hanna, holding her hand as she wrapped a caring arm around Hanna’s shoulders. “It’s okay, Hanna,” she purred. “Don’t be afraid of it. You’re stronger than you realize. I’ll help you like my daughter did. Learn of me and seek your answers.”

“I don’t know if I should,” Hanna murmured fearfully, trembling visibly, “A linking of our minds together could be dangerous in this situation. The last time someone tried to do that while I was dealing with the teaching machine, we became fused together. I don’t want that to happen to us. I don’t think I could stand being fused to another person like that.”

Electra nodded, giving Hanna a gentle squeeze. “You’re forgetting that I am Selina’s mother and teacher and am a master of my gift,” Electra replied confidently. “Trust me and trust the Ancient of Days. He won’t allow a repeat of what you and Selina suffered under the machine the first time you used it.”

Electra’s confidence sparked courage in Hanna’s heart. “Okay, if you say so,” Hanna whispered as she trembled.

Electra immediately noticed Hanna’s fear and purred, “Relax Hanna. Don’t be afraid. I’m going to link with you now. You have the knowledge to operate this machine. Just let it come, and I’ll help be your strength and discipline. Learn of me the discipline of the telepath and learn the discipline of the machine. You can do this. I believe in you.” She linked with Hanna’s mind. Hanna looked in Electra’s face and could only see Selina. Go on, Electra urged Hanna, Trust your instincts. Learn the discipline of the machine.

Hanna put one arm around Electra as Electra’s strength and faith in her caused her fear to fade away. Turning to the console, Hanna’s instincts took over and with Lynxian quickness, she keyed in the proper sequence, bringing the Teaching Machine roaring to life. Enoch, Nathanael, and the rest of the family watched in amazement as the light flashed from the panel into Hanna’s eyes. Electra kept her eyes closed as Hanna stared into the beam. Everyone watched as the machine rumbled and electrical discharges began to run between the sarcophagi and the giant crystal of the teacher. In moments, Hanna began to learn the discipline of the machine as she pushed into the Archives for her answers. Electra’s telepathic support helped Hanna master the fear of the machine. Once she had mastered her fear, Hanna’s telepathic potential exploded into action. She mastered all of the knowledge imparted by the machine in Tiamat in a matter of moments, and then Hanna dove into the depths of the Red Tower’s Archive.

Hanna’s telepathic power surge abruptly overwhelmed Electra, forcing her to break contact with Hanna. You’re getting too strong for me! I have to back away! Electra cried desperately to Hanna telepathically.

“Go Electra; I have this draken by the tail. Get out and don’t be snared by it. Go!” Hanna replied with power and authority. Everyone heard Hanna’s comment and saw Electra slide out of the chair, collapsing as she got up. Hanna’s arm shot out and supported her. “Nathanael, come get Electra,” she ordered in a voice that seemed to echo throughout the whole Archive. “And don’t look into the beam when you come up here or you’ll be caught like I was at Tiamat.”

Nathanael rushed forward and pulled Electra away from the console and chair to where everyone stood without looking into the beam. He sat down with her on the floor as Kida, Enoch, Emma, Hunter, and Andrew huddled her. Elias and Elle watched the Archive flash and rumble like a monster awakening from a slumber, and deep in their hearts, they began to fear what was going on. “Are you all right, momma?” Kida asked as Nathanael rocked her in his arms.

Electra clung to Nathanael’s arms, panting for breath. Once she managed to calm down, she said with utter and absolute awe and astonishment, “It’s incredible. The power Hanna has is beyond imagination. Once she learned the discipline from me, her telepathic power jumped ten-fold in an instant. Before I knew it, she’d learned the discipline of the machine and was mastering the information from Tiamat when she became too powerful for me to remain linked with her.” Electra looked up at Hanna with a look of great concern and fear. “She has the power. She always has. Hanna just hasn’t had the will or the discipline to utilize it. Now, I fear that nothing may be restrained from her. It’s like someone or something has awakened inside her. I believe the Emperor may have made a fatal error in his mutation of Hanna. It’s awakened something in her she never knew about, something incredibly ancient and powerful. I truly fear what she may ultimately become.”

The whole room shook as the machine roared to a deafening pitch. Then the machine suddenly slowed and stopped as they watched. The light beam disappeared and Hanna slumped over the rail of the chair next to the console. Andrew looked at Enoch and said, “Can you believe that, Dad? The Teacher has never been that active, never.”

Enoch rushed forward to Hanna and pushed her up in the chair. Hanna’s face glowed softly and her eyes were glazed, seeming staring into eternity. “Hanna. Hanna. Are you all right?” Enoch asked with growing concern. His questions elicited no response of any kind. He shook her gently and asked again with rapidly rising concern, “Hanna, wake up, Hanna.” When she still didn’t respond, Enoch changed his tactics, calling out to Hanna’s true identity as he slapped her cheek softly. “Hannibal, Hannibal...Beowulf, wake up Beowulf. Hear my voice and come back to the light. Come back, Beowulf.” Hanna’s head sagged forward as her eyes closed. A moan escaped her lips and she blinked a couple of times. “Hanna. Are you all right?” Enoch asked, relieved that she was responding.

Hanna rolled her head around so she could see Enoch. Enoch looked into her eyes and saw power and great intelligence shining from them. Hanna cracked a smile and said weakly, “Now that was intense. What a rush!” Enoch cracked a smile as everyone except Kida, Nathanael, and Electra gathered around. “Did I get her away in time?” Hanna whispered with some concern.

Enoch nodded and said, “Yes, you did. Did you find your answers?”

Hanna grinned, saying, “Yes. I found some of my answers. But it came with a heavy price. I have no strength left in me. I can barely even talk. But I know what it all means now. I am the master of the machines now. I know why I’m here and I know what must be done. Furthermore, I know exactly who I am and who you are, brother. But I still don’t know what I am or exactly how to reverse this mutation. With every answered question, ten more arose. God, I’m so tired.”

Enoch smiled with great satisfaction, saying, “That’s excellent, little sister. You made progress. I expected that you’d find more questions than answers, but you had to start somewhere.”

Hanna smiled and managed to raise her hand and touch Enoch’s arm. “Thank you, Enoch. We’ll make our stand together, my brother,” she said just before passing out in Enoch’s arms.

“Is she going to be all right?” Elle asked.

Enoch scooped Hanna up and said, “Yes, my dear; she’s more than all right. Hanna’s beginning to figure out where she fits into this situation. However, her education has just drained what little strength she had. Let’s take her back to the healer and let it recharge her.”

Nathanael and Kida helped their mother up and they all went back to the healing chamber where they placed Electra and Hanna beside each other on two individual tables. The healing machine immediate went into action. “Come, let’s leave them for now. They’ll be all right,” Enoch ordered and they left.