Oracle - Waters Deep (Vol. 6)

By C.W. Trisef

The time has finally arrived to collect the sixth element and completely fill the Oracle, but there are more surprises than ever at Waters Deep. Ret bestows six gifts to his loved ones before venturing off to his final battle with Lye; our protagonist armed with Mr. Coy's latest invention.

But earth-shattering revelations are about to come to pass: Ret's real family; the First Father's return; a friend's ultimate betrayal; the group's watery failure; Lye's deadliest weapon. Join Ret as he sacrifices everything he is to learn the hard way—family is what's most important.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781948173407

Book preview

Chapter 0

And So It Begins …

Like a fallen leaf on a fast-moving river, Ret’s First Father sat perched upon his horse, clinging to its mane, shifting his lean frame back and forth to keep astride the steed as it sped across the barren landscape. The horse’s ivory hide sparkled in the early morning light, its breath heavy and its body quivering. Ret’s First Father was suffering as well; his side ached; his hands trembled; his light-colored robes glistened with his own crimson blood. He gripped the surface of his white, spirally twisted staff tightly with his left hand as a single, undeniable truth came to his mind: he was dying.

He’d suspected Lye would betray him. His ambitious partner felt they should use the Oracle for what he called a greater purpose. Instead of using the Oracle to keep the Earth and its elements forever balanced, Lye intended to harness its great power to strip the world of its resources, forging them into wealth and weapons to use in his quest for domination. No one, especially Ret’s First Father, had anticipated the lengths to which Lye would go to accomplish his evil goals.

Ret’s First Father closed his eyes, a frown creasing his ancient face as he considered the task before him. It would break the world … and it would break his heart.

He opened his eyes, but the vision still haunted him. In it, Lye stood above his bed, knife in hand, eyes filled with rage, and the blade came down, piercing him. If it wasn’t for his staff, he would surely be dead already.

Ret’s First Father twisted his body to look behind him, letting out a groan of pain in the process. In the distance a dark-robed figure on a strong black horse followed, moving fast across the dull landscape. His frown deepened. Lye was still in hot pursuit, and gaining.

It was sad to think how Lye had once been a noble being, full of light and goodness. But he allowed ambition and greed to take over. The transformation happened slowly at first, as service gave way to selfishness, kindness shifted to callousness, and love changed to lust. Once Lye’s thoughts turned to treasure and power, his heart and actions followed until evil consumed him completely. Now he was nothing more than a plague to the world, a pathogen in pursuit of the means to inject poison by using the Oracle. Ret’s First Father wouldn’t let that happen; he would keep its power safe.

He coughed and the coppery taste of blood filled his mouth. He swallowed it down.

Months prior, he’d begun formulating his plan, meeting with his trusted partners, even with some of his own family line. Six were chosen as Guardians, pledging to protect the Oracle’s elements for the rest of their lives, however long that might be. And now, the final step of his plan was upon him. Traveling alone to the Great Expanse—the endless blue waters of beautiful ocean surrounding Earth’s single landmass—he’d then scatter the elements to hide them and protect them. In the process, he’d keep humankind safe from Lye’s evil plans. But a great distance on land still loomed before he’d reach the Great Expanse, south of the heart of the continent. He felt himself growing weaker by the second. Despair was creeping in: he wasn’t going to make it.

His horse faltered, lost its footing, and then went down, giving way to exhaustion and fatigue. With a thud, Ret’s First Father collided with the hard ground, pain exploding in his chest as the fall knocked the wind out of him. He gasped for breath, lying on the ground. His kingly robes were streaked with dirt and blood. Although his brow was pale and ghostly, his mind was clear, and his resolve remained unsoiled.

With his staff still clutched in his left hand, he called upon its power, feeling a surge of electricity flash through his body, momentarily clearing his vision and steadying his hands. With effort, he got to his knees, facing the direction of the approaching black rider. Ret’s First Father then reached into an interior pocket of his robes and retrieved the Oracle. He leaned his staff against his chest for support and took the sphere in both hands, where it rose slightly, self-sustaining. The Oracle came to life, opening its identical wedges, each containing one of the planet’s six original, pure elements: earth, fire, ore, wind, wood, and water. Still on his knees, Ret’s First Father lowered his hands to the earth, releasing the Oracle. It hovered just above the frigid tundra. A small patch of lush grass and tiny white flowers erupted from the barren ground just below the Oracle. Leaning heavily on his staff, Ret’s First Father struggled to his feet and took a few steps back as the black horse came to a stop a short distance away.

The robed rider dismounted in a smooth, fluid motion. His hood shrouded his face. He stepped closer, his eyes moving from the hovering Oracle to Ret’s First Father, then to his blood-stained robes.

You don’t look so well, Ogan, Lye said as he removed black gloves from his hands. He tucked them away and motioned to the blood on Ogan’s robes. It looks like you’ve lost a great deal of blood.

I have lost much more than that, the ancient man said in a soft, calm voice. But you shall gain nothing more this day.

Lye laughed. How are you going to stop me? His eyes cold, he gestured to the empty landscape around them. You’re all alone out here and dying.

I may indeed die. But even when I am gone, there will always be those who will fight against you.

Lye laughed again. "I suppose you’re talking about your chosen line, he spat the words out. Those charitable-to-a-fault fools aren’t incorruptible. In time, they will succumb to my … influences."

Not all of them, Ret’s First Father said.

Oh, Ogan, I suppose you are referring to your precious Guardians.

If you insist on using my name, my son, I’d prefer you use it properly. My full name is Oganesso.

I am not your son! Lye said, drawing his dagger and pointing it at him. And, as for your Guardians, they will either fall in line or die at my hand.

The Guardians will perform their labors honorably. In this I have full confidence, Oganesso said. But they are not of whom I speak. You see, long after you and I are gone, one of my children will rise and heed the call of the elements. He will cure the world. He will bring the world back to its true order. Oganesso looked kindly at Lye and continued. However, it is not too late. It doesn’t have to go this way, my son.

Lye snickered and sheathed his knife. You old fool, you’ll soon be dead, and the Oracle will be mine to use at my pleasure.

Then, I’m afraid, Oganesso said, using the last of his strength to straighten himself, you leave me no choice.

What exactly are you going to do? Lye asked. You can barely stand and you’re too weak to use either the Oracle or that cane of yours against me. If you could, you would have done so already.

Perhaps, Oganesso said. But I think I may have just enough strength for one more go. With that, he raised his staff high into the air.

No! cried Lye. He lunged forward, his blade drawn again. A bright bolt of lightning erupted out of the clear blue sky, engulfing the staff. Oganesso immediately brought it down, striking the open Oracle with all the forces of Nature.

Both of them flew backward as the six elements shot out of the Oracle, an instant and catastrophic shockwave erupting from its epicenter. Powerful tremors traveled across the entire surface of the earth as they carried five of the Oracle’s elements in different directions, with the sixth—the water element—shooting straight down, disappearing below the ground.

The earth shook violently as its tectonic plates began to shift and pull away from each other, ripping apart the single Pangaeaic landform and breaking it into separate landmasses, each following an element. The Great Expanse transformed into oceans and seas as it poured into the gaps created by the now-drifting newly-formed continents. The earth continued to shake, tornadoes touched down, tempests tossed the seas, tsunamis rose up, volcanoes erupted both above the land and below the water, and the skies darkened. Mountain ranges thrust up as others crumbled. Molten lava sprung up from the seafloor, forming new islands; while in other places smaller areas broke off, creating archipelagos. Cities sank into the waters, taking entire populations with them. Thousands of Oganesso’s descendants lost their lives in moments.

*      *      *      *      *

Lye awoke and staggered to his feet, feeling as if he’d been out for days. He found the world around him calm and unrecognizable. He stood on what appeared to be a star-shaped island under a clear blue sky. Next to him, lying on a patch of shriveled grass sat Oganesso’s staff and the Oracle. Both appeared undamaged but the glass, translucent sphere was now completely empty. Mother Nature’s six original elements, which had always previously been housed inside the Oracle, were now gone, separated by their steward and his staff. A few paces away, Oganesso himself lay crumpled and motionless except for the almost imperceptible rise and fall of his chest.

Lye reached down and picked up the now-empty Oracle. He slipped it into his robes, then reached for the staff. A strong electric shock coursed through him as he touched it. He stepped back in surprise. No wonder he calls it the Staff of True Power, he thought as he considered its white, spirally twisted surface.

He scowled and seized it with both hands, holding it tight and pulling it close to his body as the electricity surged through him. He screamed from the pain. After a long, excruciating moment, the shock ebbed and then stopped completely. He turned, held out the cane, and pointed it at Oganesso, shooting an arc of electricity at the ancient man. The electricity acted like a modern-day defibrillator, reviving him. Oganesso moaned and stirred in response, his grey eyes opening to meet Lye’s.

I admit, Lye said, stepping over to Oganesso and kneeling so their faces were close together, you have dealt me a formidable blow, but at what cost? You have literally torn your world apart.

Oganesso’s eyes glazed over slightly as he looked into the iridescent sky. The right path often comes with consequences, both positive and negative. What’s important is that the elements are safe.

For now, Lye said.

It is enough, Oganesso said. I die in peace.

Oh, I’m afraid that option has passed, Lye said, returning to his feet. No, this world now belongs to me and I will make sure you live to witness its inhabitants become my followers, my pawns, and my servants. As for your prophesied guardians and healer, if they don’t join me, I will turn this planet against them so there’s nowhere they can go, no place for them to hide, and no solace for them to turn to without someone, somewhere hunting them. No, Ogan, I’m afraid death is not an option for you now. We must keep you alive at all costs. He shot Ret’s First Father with another arc of electricity.

Oganesso moaned. In the midst of his pain, he noticed six opaque designs growing on his hands, three curious scars on each palm.

Lye turned about, scanning his newly formed island. Let’s find you some living water. He turned and walked away, smiling as he felt the shape of the Oracle press against his ribs as he moved.

And so it begins, Lye thought to himself as he pulled a small leather drinking flask from his dark robes. He headed for what appeared to be one of many newly-formed pools of radiant, clear water that now dotted the surface of the island. And so it begins …

Chapter 1

For Millennia Now

Lye’s helicopter raced through the dark, restless sky, its course undeterred by the sheer buffeting winds and relentless rain that beat against its sleek, black surface. Below, the storm-tossed sea surged violently, its massive waves and white-capped crests easily visible from the air. Brilliant strikes of lightning lit the sky. Lye watched the storm brew from his solitary rear seat inside the helicopter; his eyes dark; his body calm; his mouth curled into the slightest smile, as he rolled his white, spirally twisted cane back and forth between his fingertips.

My lord, we are beginning our final approach, the voice of the pilot crackled over the intercom.

Lye looked down to see the dark, star-shaped outline of Waters Deep rise out of the ocean. Its rocky outcroppings and five pointed peninsulas reached into the dark sea like massive fingers primed to pummel anything that ventured too close to its shores.

The helicopter shifted around the island to its northernmost tip where it slowed, then hovered over a nondescript flat section of rock. Suddenly, the ground split, sinking slightly before pulling apart to reveal a large circular hole that emitted a deep-red glow. Slowly a round platform emerged from its depths, lights flashing about its perimeter, with a crimson letter ‘H’ emblazoned at its center. Pitching slightly from the pervasive wind, the craft landed on the platform, which immediately began to lower back into the Deep. Once out of sight, the two halves of ground slid closed again, swallowing the mechanical bird whole as it lowered into the belly of the island.

As the lowering platform came to rest, Lye reached into his robes and removed a flask. He opened it and gulped down the last of its contents. He replaced it within his robes as the helicopter’s co-pilot opened the door for him and bowed as Lye exited. He immediately exuded the agility of a much younger man, his cane barely touching the ground as he moved.

Just outside the platform’s edge stood another man, his hands clasped meekly before him. He was standing next to a metallic door, set into the small hangar’s curved wall, ready to greet his master.

Welcome back, Lord Lye, the doctor said in a soft voice, bowing his head as Lye approached.

It is good to be home, Victor, Lye said. The door in the wall shifted sideways, light spilling from the hangar and casting a long, three-legged shadow behind him.

Lye moved inside briskly, entering the compound at a pace that amazed Dr. Cross. The sharp clank of Lye’s cane could be heard infrequently on the metal passageway.

I see by the reports that the attack on Coy Manor went as planned.

Yes, it was a success. Lye chuckled. I had a front-row seat, so to speak. It was a beautiful sight, Cross. Coy Manor is nothing more than a pile of rubble now.

And the Oracle?

No sign of it yet, Lye said coolly. If the Oracle was at the Manor, we’ll find it. As you know, the Oracle is indestructible, and Lionel has divers searching the wreckage as we speak.

Dr. Zarbock has become an invaluable ally, Cross said.

Indeed, replied Lye. With his help, I can almost be in two places at once.

True, Cross agreed. And, what of Ret? It appears from the news that the international community believes him to be dead.

Bah! Only time will tell, Lye said, his mood darkening. Ret is too powerful now. I’m sure he has survived, along with Coy and the others. Speaking of them, what’s your progress report on the bomb?

It is completed, my Lord.

And those idiot Foxx twins, Abacus and, what’s his name … Annoying-us? Lye chuckled at his own joke.

Yes, Abacus and Aloysius. They have paid for their inadequacies with their lives.

Excellent, Lye said, brightening at the news. See that you load the bomb onto our most advanced aircraft and have it ready for immediate deployment.

Yes, my Lord.

The evil pair turned and stepped into a waiting elevator, the doors closing with a soft whoosh behind them.

Cross hesitated, knowing he needed to broach a sensitive subject with his master, and suspecting an angry reaction. Since Lye seemed to be in a decent mood, Cross decided now was as good a time as any to plow ahead.

My Lord, the continents …

Lye quickly banged his cane on the metal floor, causing sparks to fly in all directions, the old man’s entire presence darkening. You know how I feel about this, Cross!

Yes, my Lord. It’s just that they’re moving back together faster than ever now, so they will be upon us soon, and … I mean … you must have seen the ocean, Cross sputtered.

The elevator stopped, the doors opening to reveal a bustling corridor.

Lye turned on the doctor, his teeth bared. That’s no concern of yours, he hissed. Once I have the Oracle, I will control all the power in this world and can do as I please. Your job, he said, as he jabbed Cross with a boney finger, "is to make sure that bomb is ready to drop on Ret’s head if he ever surfaces."

Yes, my Lord.

Lye stepped out of the elevator leaving the doctor behind. With the fringes of his lab coat singed and his eyes cast down upon the blackened floor, Cross quietly pressed a button to ascend to a higher floor as the elevator doors closed.

As Lye moved down the corridor, scientists and security officers paused, stepping to the side and bowing as he passed, then immediately returning to their respective duties.

The corridor darkened as Lye approached an unmarked door at the end of the hall. Unlike in the hangar, this door did not open automatically, nor did it appear to have a handle, a lock, or even a keypad to provide entry. But it did have a key. Lye lifted his white, spirally twisted cane, touched the door with it, and shocked it with a surge of electricity. The door opened, instantly spilling thick mist and faint sounds of moaning into the corridor. Lye smiled and stepped inside his dungeon, the door closing quickly behind him.

Just inside, two large forms stood looming on each side of the entry. Each wore dark, hooded cloaks, their bright eyes glowing faintly