Lost Continent - The Secrets of The Book

(Prologue, Part 1, Part 2)

When I woke again it was early in the morning. The sun still hadn't risen above the horizon and the embers of a fire were still glowing. Jess must have lit it while I was still sleeping. I tried to get up but jumped when I heard a low growling from somewhere in the distance. I crouched low, ready for a fight. I looked down and say the sword. Slowly, I reached over to grab it. My senses were alert, and now, with the sword in hand, I was ready to fight. I listened closely for the growling. There it was again! This time it seemed louder, but.... I lowered the sword and stood up straight, ashamed to find out that it was only my stomach. I hadn't eaten since I left and I was starving. I looked out at the Ferryman, still a few metres off shore. There was a fishing net on the boat, and some rods, but I didn't want to go into the cold, dark water this early in the morning. I looked down and saw Jess, still asleep. Her head rested on something, I couldn't see what though. Beside her was the book, Vera Ars Vitae, and beside that, the fishing rods! Jess must have used them to catch something to eat at some point. A thought suddenly crossed my mind and I looked back at Jess. I stared at what was under her head, and, sure enough, it was the net. She was using the fishing net as a pillow. I moved backwards and almost tripped over another folded net that must have been under my head. I cursed and looked over to make sure I hadn't woken Jess up. When I was sure that I hadn't, I walked over, grabbed a fishing rod, went to the shore line and cast out my line.

I was fishing all morning and by the time Jess had woken up I had caught two snappers and a tarpon. I was very lucky. I went and sat with her, using the sword to prepare the fish and cut them into large pieces. I spared them, lit a fire and started to roast them. As they began to cook the smell filled my nose and made my mouth water. My stomach must have also smelt it because it began growling far viciously then it had earlier that morning. We talked lots about random stuff while waiting for the fish to cook before I finally got around to asking her how she managed to get on the boat. "Well," She began, " you were so caught up in getting on the boat and going out to find your dad that it was easy to sneak on. Then from there I just hid in the cabin most of the time."

"Yea, I didn't really go down into the cabin much did I?"

"No, but that just made it easier to hide from you." She said, smiling at me as she continued, "and then I saved your life. You owe me." As she said that a harsh smile came across her face.

"Haven't I rewarded you enough with my friendship?"

"Please, your friendship isn't even worth one drop of water," she responded. We looked at each other and both fell into a fit of laughter (mostly out of hunger) and then we ate some of the best snapper we've ever tasted.

It wasn't until roughly around midday that we opened the heavy book. "You ready?" I asked,

"Sure". I reached over and lifted the the black cover. We were shocked when we saw that the pages were completely blank, every single one of them. As we were going through the blank book for the third time I asked the book why it was blank. Soon after I asked the question I stopped and stared at one of the pages. There was something on it. Sand? No, it was black. Ink? Impossible, it wasn't there before, but, no, it couldn't be. There were words forming on the page. It is not that I am blank, but that you cannot see.

"But... No.... That's impossible." I responded

Was it not your father that said "impossible is only a word"?

"How did you know my father? Who, or what are you?"

Your father was one of the greatest pirates of all time, such a shame he is no longer with us on this world. As for your other question, I am the soul of the ocean. I know all.

"How do I get my father back." This was more of a command then a question, even though I knew that it wouldn't tell me.

To bring your father back you would have to master me. The Sea. That cannot be done.

"Sure it can, it's been done before hasn't it?" Jess asked.

You poor child. Listen closely. This lesson you'd do well not to forget, your life could be the one it's wisdom saves at sea when you're beleaguered and beset on every side by strife of wind and waves. Despite the best of maps and bravest men, for all their might names and massive forms. There has never been and there never will be a ship or fleet secure against the storms. When kings upon the main have clung to pride and held themselves as masters of the sea, I've held them down beneath the crushing tide until they have learnt that no one masters me.

"But you said that my father was one of the greatest pirates of all time, surely he would of at least beaten you somehow"

Now tell me child, where is he now?

I looked down and fought back the tears as I remembered that it was over ten years since

My poor child. I have felt your pain within the tear that you have shed. I will tell you a way to get your father back, but it will come at a cost which cannot be avoided.

"Please, anything".

Very well. I can feel the presence of your father within you. To bring him back to life you must first find his body and give back what is left of his soul. Then a life must be taken. Yours.

"What? No, there must be another way," I responded in shock.

Well, a life must be taken to revive that of a lost one. It must be yours, for his soul is inside you. That is the only reason.

"But we have two things with his soul inside them, won't that be enough?"

Perhaps.

"OK. I'll do it."

"What? No. You can't" Jess answered in shock.

"I have too."

"No."

"Well how else am I supposed to bring him back?"

"I'll do it."

"No. I won't let you."

"Then I'll do it myself."

Are you so sure? You have nothing to gain by taking your own life, so why do it?

"If it means that my best friend gets her father back, then I'll do it."

Humans. Your ideas and concepts are nothing but anathema to me. I have respect for you though, perhaps I shall take pity on one of my victims for once. Maybe.

"Shut up." I said as I slammed the book shut. I looked up at Jess and saw that she was crying. I touched my face and felt that I was crying too.

We sat there for hours, crying, not saying a word. Both of us knew that by the end of this journey one of us would be dead. we were scared, alone and frightened, too scared to begin sailing. When night fell I stood up and looked at the sky. It was clear and the stars were shining bright, aided by the full moon. I took a deep breathe in and let it out slowly. "We should go then." I didn't get a response, just a silent nod. We packed up our stuff, got on the boat and set sail, guided by the light of the moon and the stars. I was sure that we left the book on the island, and yet it was there on deck when we left. I felt a heavy weight on my heart and a lump in my throat. The future was set and I had no intentions of changing it now. I lay on deck, looking up. I was using the nets as a blanket. I couldn't be bothered moving. I just lay there thinking about the journey ahead. I didn't know where we were going, I only knew that death was waiting for us.