Joyous Universe: the Beings of Volkana.

By Syed Abid

65 million years ago during an apocalyptic shift in geography a combination of meteor explosions rocked the Earth. Tumultuous cataclysm brought spurt growths of volcanic activities and the remaining life forms that lived, moved to the grounds below to remain there for the rest of history. Evolution has taken its course and during 1775 BC we have a chance encounter with these species.

The Egyptians, Babylonians and Greeks lurk the waters of the Mediterranean where the island has mysteriously appeared with its inhabitants and an active volcanic peak. What happens when mythos meets real myth? And what if the worlds below are unleashed?

Evolution doesnt stay stagnant if it is absent from our sight. Just like the many hidden caves, jungle canopies, the worlds below are the sensations that are brought in The Beings of Volkana. Full of seismic tensions the people of the surface meet people of the worlds below in an unprecedented event in history that would mark a new mythology in this era. Forever to be carved in the temples of the greatest of civilizations.

The Beings of Volkana is part of the Joyous Universe series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing India
• Release date: Jul 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9781482833799

Book preview

PROLOGUE

1775BC

T he ministers at the courts of Hammurabi gasp as they talk amongst themselves – ready to present their case to Hammurabi. The confines of the courts full of chatter about their usual concerns – amendments on cases to be presented and constitutions set by Hammurabi himself. Matters most important to the state. The minister’s belching their bellies up and down as they sway back and forth in conversations. Many on their toes. Rays of light from the palace ceilings reflect the many silk robes, gem studded rings from their fingers and clothing – making for a colourful spect acle.

The royal physician makes an opening statement: ‘Status on the beings from the ground.’

‘Ah! Yes, The beings from the ground.’ Hammurabi responds after having his thoughts on earlier matters of most excitement. Zombie cases were frequent, demonic animals attacking outskirt towns and stories of possessed people were all on the day’s agenda with the usual murders and robberies. The physician continues, staying on his toes when indicating matters of most importance.

‘We’ve seen the great island that has appeared off the Mediterranean Sea. It is a sight to behold.’

‘Yes, tell me more. An island in the middle of the sea? Is that all you came here to tell me?!’ Hammurabi makes the physician worrisome.

‘No your majesty.’

‘With all the resource spent on expedition? I would like to see more!’

‘But you don’t understand? With all do respect. It’s an island that comes from the ground.’

‘All islands are from the ground. Volcano formations that solidify. We all know this. Chief geologist?!’

‘Yes sir..’ The chief geologist had seen the island – having inspected its unusual rocky landscape formation. A task different from his usual site surveying for official building projects. Hammurabi had been setting official resources focusing on the island. The geologist chooses his words carefully not to anger the king.

Hammurabi continues with the enquiry. ‘Why are you mentioning this island?’

‘Well, it has to do with the beings from the island.’

‘New bird specimens? A parrot that can recite my codes?’

The court bursts with laughter.

‘What news do you bring me?’ Hammurabi knew the types of cases often brought to him were of natural and medicinal rarities. He was pious and piety towards the gods was considered favourable for the state of the nation. The symptoms of the minds needed healers. He was one of many.

‘There are people from the ground.’ Says the physician.

The court is filled with laughter again.

‘Yes, they look just like us. Are slightly shorter than us and have gills around their abdomen.’

‘Do you expect me to believe this?! So where are they? I want to see them.’

‘They live on an island on the Mediterranean seas. They have the most magnificent tools. Their clothings are woven from insect extracts in the most unique of colors. And the fabrics they’ve made! They have also learnt to adapt to such unusual and peculiar situations. They even learn languages instantaneously!’

The king interrupts.

‘I want to see one. Bring them to me. I want to see how we could put them to use. I want to know their ways. This better not be a trick.’ The Babylonian king cautioned.

News of the island had spread to the kingdoms of Egypt and Greece.

The flames from the torches kept the hieroglyphs inside the Egyptian palace walls illuminated. The journey to the afterlife and the worlds inside the temples, pyramids and surroundings were marked by events that occurred in its existences. So were they documented for eternity in their altars, structures and obelisks. The stories they developed in cohesion with the priests revealed a story of a realm higher than life outside of the palace compounds. The seriousness of the situation always highlighted with the glimmers of the pharaohs face and the active lives of the hieroglyphs on the walls. The priests of the temple knew the many forms the pharaoh could manifest and sought higher divinity from any source for their structured existence and the public outside. The seasons of the summer brought rain, bringing in large volumes of water higher than usual – flooding rice paddies and grain depots that held reserves. The water powered mills were dismantled as they proved to be a menacing threat. The efforts to re-direct the dams futile, coupled with the results of increased seismic activities in the regions. Though, none were aware that they were mild tsunamis.

‘What would the deities and the past pharaohs of Egypt make of this?’ Pharaoh Renseneb asked the two temple priests.

‘The people of the sea. The divination of the scriptures. We think they have been fulfilled. With all indications that state so.’ Replied the senior priest.

‘Proclamation! Prepare the speech. We must spread the news! A festival in honor of the scriptures! All works and major projects will be put to a halt for two days of celebrations!’

A boy runs on the streets of Thebes. He is wearing shorts and a shirt that looks like it is made out of rags. It is midnight and the capital is full of people running in all directions intoxicated and looking for a place to party, drink, and eat. A woman in evening gown with an eccentric wide hips grabs Ras – a little boy from the island wearing a fabric that looks like a cut out from a sack.

‘Hey!’ She yells.

‘Huh?’ Replies Ras.

The woman takes the boy into her breasts. Ras can hardly breathe. And wiggles.

The woman lets go.

‘Hey where’s my hug?’ The commander of the Egyptian naval fleets asks the woman. Waving a lit lamp in his left hand. Two female accompanying the woman laugh. The fleet leader was taking time away from the island as stationed were single non-combatant galleys. Ras runs.

‘Hey wait for me!’ The commander says.

Ras was the first from the island to visit a nation. He swam to one of the Egyptian galleys who snuck him into an escort craft to Egypt. The fleet commander promised to