Oracle - Cure The World - Pangaea (Vol. 7)

By C.W. Trisef

What does it mean to "Cure The World" anyway? The Oracle's prophecy has been telling Ret for years that "one line has the rite" … but Ret is gone, isn't he? And ever since the collection of Mother Nature's six, pure, original elements began, the world's continents have been on an inevitable collision course return to Waters Deep. Join Paige, Ana, Mr. Coy, and the rest of our heroes as they attempt to save the planet from utter destruction—all they have to do is use their relics, find some ancient pillars, and create physical Pangaeaic harmony before nuclear annihilation occurs. No problem, right?

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Dec 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781948173100

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How to contact the author

Website – OracleSeries.com

Email – [e-mail]

Oracle – Cure the World – Pangaea

C.W. Trisef

Other titles by C.W. Trisef

Oracle – Sunken Earth (Book 1)

Oracle – Fire Island (Book 2)

Oracle – River of Ore (Book 3)

Oracle – Solar Wind (Book 4)

Oracle – Mutant Wood (Book 5)

Oracle – Waters Deep (Book 6)

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination.

Copyright © 2020 Trisef Book LLC

Book 7 – Edition 1

All rights reserved.

ISBN-13:  978-1948173100

Table of Contents

Chapter 0 - Seize The Present

Chapter 1 - Hope Is Not Lost

Chapter 2 - Insecurity Council

Chapter 3 - Crossing Time

Chapter 4 - Commencement

Chapter 5 - Paige Takes The Lead

Chapter 6 - I Can Teach You To Do The Same

Chapter 7 - Let The Quests Begin

Chapter 8 - The Best Of Us

Chapter 9 - Nothing Like A Georgia Peach

Chapter 10 - The Crystal Pillar

Chapter 11 - The Pellucid Personage

Chapter 12 - The Timber Pillar

Chapter 13 - The Basalt Pillar

Chapter 14 - The Sandstone Pillar

Chapter 15 - The Metallic Pillar

Chapter 16 - Blood, Ice, and Fire

Chapter 17 - The Aqua Pillar

Chapter 18 - Pangaea

Chapter 19 - Coy Chapel

Chapter 20 - We've Only Just Begun

C:\Users\tobyr\Dropbox\Trisef Book (Chad PERSONAL)\Book 07\-- MASTER FILES -- VERY IMPORTANT --\-- NEW Manuscript -- Feb 2020\07 Cure Sphere 03 - FINAL.jpg

Chapter 0

Seize The Present

Neo ran through the narrow corridors of the pyramid, its flickering torches casting strange shadows from golden wall-mounts as he hurried through the ancient structure, searching for the only person who could save him. He glanced over his shoulder, desperate to see if his pursuer was close behind, but only found mounds of jewels and stacks of money. Neo then went down in the darkness, tripping over something large that was sprawled across the floor, hitting his head hard against the wall and then the floor as he fell. Concussion stars appeared in the ancient guardian’s view as pain pounded on the side of his head. He pressed his hand to his temple, which felt wet and sticky, covered in blood.

Ah, you old fool, he said, chiding himself for his carelessness. Wiping his hand on his robes, he reached back to discover what he’d tripped over, his hand finding the unmistakable shape of a human body.

Heh, heh, heh, heh, the familiar cackle came from somewhere out of the blackness.

Neo shifted backwards trying to stand, the movement causing a wave of dizziness to wash over him as he fell backwards against the wall and then to the stone floor once more.

Oh Neo, my oldest friend, the figure said moving forward, every other step accompanied by an audible click. It looks like you’ve had a nasty spill. You should really watch where you’re going.

We are not friends, Neo said through gritted teeth.

The evil figure moved closer, the torch light flickering across his ancient face, illuminating his broad smirk. "We were once … or do you not care to remember?"

When it comes to you, Lye, Neo said, feeling nauseated, I simply do not care.

Well, perhaps you should, Lye said. You know, ever since our last encounter at Stonehenge ended with me being uprooted, quite literally, from your strange mutant land, he chuckled at his own joke, I’ve spent a great deal of time trying to find exactly where else you’ve been going. I mean, if following you once led me to what I’m sure is the lair of the Wood element, then logically tracking your movements would lead me to other elements. It took a lot of patience and resources, but finally one of my spies spotted you, here, in Africa of all places. Now that’s a long way from your precious Infinity Tree in Russia. So, I started poking around and, what do you know, I found this fantastic pyramid of wealth. Isn’t it gloriously opulent: my vault, my City of Gold? But the pyramid isn’t all that I found …

Enough Lye, Neo said, his own voice sounding distant, where is Krypto?

Oh, do not dismay, my old friend, the evil Lord said as he reached inside his robes and pulled out his dagger from within, you will be with him soon enough. In fact, you might say that you are right behind him.

Oh, no, Neo said, looking closely for the first time at the human body he had tripped over. It was Krypto, there, right in front of him, his lifeless eyes staring up at the ceiling. Lye … I hate you … how truly lost you’ve become … I pity you, Neo said, sliding his hand into his own robes and grabbing a handful of seeds from one of his pockets.

Pity? Lost am I? Lye asked. Neo, Neo, Neo … you just don’t get it. I am the richest, most powerful person on this planet. I do as I wish, I get what I wish, whenever I wish … and what I wish for right now, is for you to finally be dead.

Lye attacked, springing at Neo with the speed and agility of a much younger man. Neo reacted, pulling his hand from his robes and, with great effort, blew a handful of seeds directly at his assailant. The seeds immediately burst to life, spreading green vines which immediately grew large and thick, sprouting floppy leaves, the size and shape of elephant ears. While still in mid-flight, yellow flowers blossomed from the vines, giving way to bulbous, knobby yellow fruit, of which dozens rained down on Lye, knocking him backwards and burying him in a heap of vines and giant, yellow squash plants. Unfortunately, Neo hadn’t escaped unscathed, Lye’s knife having pierced his side, mortally wounding him. His mind ablur and knowing he had mere moments before his enemy would be free of his produce prison, Neo opened a nearby time-tile and threw himself sideways into it, forcing himself to crawl into its confines. His side aching and the world spinning about him, Neo managed to pull himself fully into the memory, closing the tile just in time as Lye—now fully un-squashed—lunged for him, missing the collapsing window by inches.

Neo, panting, rolled over and retched from the effort, which in turn caused a searing pain to erupt from his wounded side. He moaned. He was in terrible trouble … he was dying, and he had no idea when or where he was. This was the first rule of using time-tiles: when stepping into the past, always know where you’re going so you can find your way back. He reached inside his robes and pulled out a flask. By the weight of it, he knew it was empty, but even the smallest drop of the healing water would help tremendously. His hands shaking, he unscrewed the cap, turned it upside down and held it over his open mouth … nothing came out.

Sighing deeply, Neo looked around, trying to get his bearings. He was next to a beautiful lake and above him, standing on a high rock ledge, were three young people who he recognized immediately: himself, looking not much older than twenty; Lye, a few years older than Neo’s younger self; and a girl around the same age, Aleah, the older Neo whispered. The trio was laughing and joking, playfully acting as if they were going to push each other into the water. Older Neo watched as the three clasped hands—Aleah in the middle—and jumped off the ledge, splashing gleefully into the lake.

Older Neo couldn’t watch anymore. He lifted a trembling hand to remove himself from this painful memory but his strength failed him. With vision fully blurred now, he fell unconscious, the strain of moving through time (while still inside a memory) overcoming him. Everything went black.

An unknown passage of time later, Neo awoke, still alive but still stuck inside a time-tile. He heard a nearby sound of upset voices. Neo refocused his vision to find the younger versions of himself and Lye arguing.

I don’t understand, he heard his younger self say. I want you to be my best man.

And, why would I want to do that? Lye asked.

Because we’re best friends, all three of us, Neo said to him, and Aleah and I want you to be there.

And watch you ruin everything? Lye snapped. Watch you make the biggest mistake of your lives.

Mistake? Neo asked. What do you mean? Lye looked at him, the anger in his face shifting, ever so slightly, to pain. At that moment, Neo understood. You love her too, don’t you?

Bah, Lye said, turning away, you’re so clueless. You’ve always been clueless.

And what exactly is it that I’m clueless about? Neo pressed.

Lye turned and walked away, his hands balled into fists. It’s so obvious, he said, you just can’t see.

Neo moved closer, standing just behind him. See what? He asked, his voice calm and quiet.

"That she … she loves me, Lye said, turning around, anger and darkness in his eyes, and you’re stealing her from me."

"So, you do love her, Neo said. Lye turned away from him once more, and there was a long silence between them. Lye, Neo finally said, you’re my best friend. Think about all that we’ve been through together and the fact that we’ve both been hand-picked by Oganesso himself … he selected you and me. Please don’t let this come between us."

Fine, Lye said coolly as he turned around, then call off the engagement.

I’m sorry, Lye, Neo replied, I can’t do that.

Won’t, you mean, Lye said, anger flaring.

Yes, I won’t, he answered.

Then there’s nothing more to say, Lye said, darkness returning to his eyes. He turned and walked away.

Lying on the memory’s ground, older Neo raised his hand once more and flicked it a single time, not wanting to overstretch himself into unconsciousness again. The scene flashed forward and he found himself once again lying next to the same lake as before with the high rock ledge, except this time it was night, the water black and foreboding. Nearby were two figures, Lye and Aleah, sitting on a large flat rock. Lye was smiling and Aleah was holding a wooden box with a ribbon tied around it.

Here, she said, handing him the box, happy birthday.

Lye blushed, thank you, he said.

It’s from both of us, Aleah said.

Us? He repeated. You are the only one here. He added, glancing down at the wedding band on her finger.

Neo will come around, she said. You’ve just got to give him time.

As long as you … Lye began to say, but then he changed his mind. How about I open this? he said as he slipped off the ribbon and opened the box. Inside was a dagger, its handle and hilt ornately designed. His eyes lit up at the gift.

What do you think? Aleah asked. I thought it would go perfectly with your collection.

You know me so well, Lye said, lifting the dagger from the box and pulling it free from its sheath. He turned it this way and that, admiring the perfectly balanced blade. It’s flawless, he said re-sheathing it, just like you, he added.

I’m glad you like it, she said, wrapping her arm around him, giving him a quick hug.

Lye closed his eyes, savoring the moment. Aleah, he said, "what if Neo doesn’t ever ‘come around’ as you put it?"

What do you mean? she asked letting go of him.

I mean, what happens to you and me?

Honestly, she said, I don’t know.

Well, you know how stubborn he can be, Lye added.

This is a hard subject, Aleah responded. Can we just not talk about it and enjoy the moment?

That’s the problem, Lye said, I enjoy every moment when I’m with you.

I do too, Aleah answered softly.

So … do you feel the same way I do? Lye asked.

Of course I do, she said, and Lye blushed for a second time, you are a great friend. Lye’s blush instantly drained, his face fell, and his eyes grew hard. What? Aleah asked. Did I say something wrong?

You love me. It was not a question. Lye said it matter-of-factly.

Of course, Aleah said.

And, you want to be with me. Lye stated in the same tone.

Isn’t that what we’ve been talking about? she asked, looking confused.

"Then, why don’t you … be with me?" he asked, his voice softening slightly.

As comprehension dawned on Aleah of what he was saying, her expression shifted from surprise to that of pity. Oh, Lye, she said, "I’m so sorry … although I do love you, I, um, don’t love you … in that way."

And, Neo? Lye said, standing up and stepping away, leaving the empty wooden box behind. "You love him ‘in that way’ don’t you?" he added, trembling in the darkness.

She stood and moved up behind him. Yes, she said, I do.

Have you always felt this way for him? he asked, still facing away from her.

Well, not … always, she said, but for a long …

Then, there’s a chance your feelings for me could change? he said.

No, she answered, I’m sorry, but they won’t.

But … he started to say.

I think it’s time for me to go, she said, turning and walking away. It’s getting late and, well, Neo will be worried.

Lye turned around, anger overtaking him like never before as he watched her slipping into the shadows and out of his life. Don’t you walk away from me! he shouted as he ran at her, unsheathing the dagger.

Older Neo, not wanting to witness what happened next, lifted his hand and flicked it to the side once more. The scene around him blurred and then reformed again quickly. He found the younger version of himself sitting on a bench in his mother’s home. He was dressed in black robes, his head in his hands. His mother was sitting next to him, her hand resting gently on his shoulder.

It’s been nearly a year, son, his mother said. Don’t you think it’s time to add a little color back into your wardrobe?

No, Neo answered flatly, a lost look in his eyes.

I understand what you’re going through, she said, when your father died …

My father died because his heart gave out, Neo said calmly, he wasn’t murdered.

Well, that’s true, she said, standing up and moving into the kitchen, how about I make you something to eat?

I’m not hungry, Neo said.

How about I make something anyway? she said, scooping rice out of a container and into a bowl for washing. You know, she added casually, I saw Lye’s mother the other day.

I’ve asked you to never say that name around me ever again, he responded in the same distant voice.

Well, she’s awfully worried about him, she pressed on. After what happened and his dismissal from Oganesso’s school …

"After ‘what happened’ is what you call it? Neo said, he stood looking directly at her for the first time. What happened was that Lye stabbed Aleah multiple times and killed her."

Yes, she said, turning from the rice, but he didn’t mean to. He was angry and made a horrible mistake … and now he’s paying for it.

Good, Neo said, I hate him. Do you understand me? I hate him.

I know, she said. Moving to stand in front of him, she placed a hand on each of his arms. But Lye needs you. He’s heading down a dark path right now, one that will fully consume him. If nothing is done, I’m afraid we’re going to lose him. She looked directly into his eyes, You need to forgive him.

Forgive him? Neo said, shaking her off and walking away, NEVER!

Neo, she called after him. He stopped, his back to her, "someone once gave me some powerful advice for when I found myself lost in a difficult situation … it goes like this:

If your past offends,

seize the present and make amends.

Your best friend, Lye, needs you … he needs you to forgive him."

I’m sorry, Neo said without turning around, but I will never forgive him, and I will never call him friend again. He then walked out of the room. Leaving his mother behind.

Lying on his childhood home floor, older Neo watched teary-eyed as his wise and caring mother began to cry. He closed his eyes at the painful memory, knowing that his own death in current time was now not far away. Part of him wished he had taken his mother’s advice so long ago. How different the world would be today if he had. Maybe he could have stopped everything Lye had become. Neo shook his head in disgust and regret and, for the first time in his life, repeated the words of his mother’s lesson:

"If your past offends,

seize the present and make amends."

Just then, a bright light appeared off to older Neo’s left. It was obvious that this light was not part of this time-tile’s memory stream, but something much different, perhaps a mystic dimension: not past; not future; maybe present, but something he had never witnessed before. He turned his dying head to investigate and couldn’t believe his eyes. It looked like … unbelievable … a trilithon. But how? older Neo thought to himself, and who? He was the only known creator of trilithons, and this was something more advanced, not from his hand or perhaps any human hand. The trilithon’s doorway was smaller than any he had ever created and it was encased in a translucent glass frame and its interior gleamed with intense white light.

Amazing, this must be heaven’s doorway he whispered, realizing he was indeed dying. Well if it is, Aleah, I’m finally on my way. Neo forced himself to roll onto his stomach, groaning from the pain of the movement, and then slowly crawled towards the supernatural glowing trilithon. It was agony and he nearly blacked-out several times, pulling himself along that memory’s floor. Once at the trilithon, he placed a single hand through it and on the other side found it to be cool and damp to the touch, with a strangely textured moist floor. He reached his other hand inside and, with another surge of effort, pulled his head and shoulders completely through.

On the other side, he found himself in a massive cavern, shrouded in mist. Waters Deep? he said aloud, a smile forming on his face. He knew exactly where he was: at his hidden trilithon neighboring the miraculous fountain of youth’s pool of healing water. With a new surge of adrenaline, Neo pulled his dying body the rest of the way out of the spiritual trilithon and along the slick cavern’s surface. He dragged himself, inch-by-inch, until he obtained the pool’s edge, its initial healing properties a mix of deep orange and fiery red. He plunged his face into the spring of life and drank deeply, feeling his strength and vigor returning immediately. He crawled deeper into the pool, the shimmering water shifting to brilliant yellow, to vivacious green, and finally to clear luminescent and perfect blue. Neo soaked it all in as he floated, cradled in the Water element’s rejuvenating comfort. After a few minutes, he pulled out his empty flask and filled it to the brim with healing salve.

Neo exited the fountain’s pool and sat down at its edge, trying to recall and reconcile all that had just transpired, while also contemplating the many ways he had foiled Lye over the years; Lye had murdered Krypto and attempted to kill him as well at the City of Gold where the Ore element is located; he had escaped through a time-tile and discovered a failsafe password to be able to exit any bad memory and transport via special trilithon to the Water element’s life-giving pool if ever needed; he had almost died but now felt renewed determination to Cure the World by helping Oganesso’s destined future world healer collect Mother Nature’s six original scattered elements; he was winning his personal vendetta against Lye, building hundreds of trilithons in the process and discovering the locations of