The Lost Tribe: Wisdom's Quest, #6

By Elisabetta Panzica

Wisdom's Quest presents its grand finale, a time when worlds collide, and humanity stands on the brink of destruction. Sent into hiding by their grandmother, Spirit Wolf and Dancing Butterfly disappear into a parallel world where they learn to work together and conquer their fear and a very real enemy. A sorceress' apprentice joins them on a rollercoaster adventure in time.
The world's fate now rests in the hands of three siblings from the ancient future. The third, Raven Feather, travels with Sahar and Arisnoe, both Atlantean monarchs. A Reptilian invasion threatens their lives, and secrets unravel, exposing a truth they had never expected.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kreative Outlets
• Release date: May 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201235840

Elisabetta Panzica

Elisabetta Panzica lives in Southern California. She has published short stories and poems, and was nominated Poet of the Year by Illiad Press. In 2010, Elisabetta started a writers critique group in Orange County California that includes several published authors, and a screenwriter for television and film. She calls it the Tuesday Night Fugitives and attributes her success to the support of this group. 

Book preview

Chapter 1 – The Wings of Phoenix

They were gone. Miaka’s heart ached. All of them gone. She touched a hand to her lips, stifling a cry, staring out at the sea. She had opened another portal, creating an interdimensional opening. Water rose on either side of the sea, forming an upright water ring. She watched as the Wings of Phoenix sailed into the open gap, moving to the pulse and rhythm of the ocean. I love you! She cried out to her grandchildren, to Nahik and Anuka, but they couldn’t hear her. Then, with a swoop of her hand, Miaka closed the portal, and the ocean grew calm, without any sign that a ship had ever existed.

She dropped to the ground wailing like a new newborn. Everyone she had ever loved was gone. She had even outlived her youngest brother. It was hard to find a reason to continue, and then she remembered her vow. To protect the Lost Tribe, what little remained of it. In the last decade, different nations of people had formed an umbrella government under which the Lost Tribe was held in the highest regard, acknowledged as the first tribe, direct descendants of the Lemurian race.

Survivors of Lemuria were the first people to populate the Americas. The mighty Atlanteans destroyed their homeland. They misused their power and technology to control the weather and sink Lemuria and many other nations. Miaka had been in Atlantis long before the Lemurian war ended. She had given birth to a child, a girl she called Shanti Alana, who, when grown, had given her life to comfort her people as they perished in the final deluge, and now Miaka would do the same for her people in this new world.

Miaka would go back to Lion’s Gate. The village would be near empty. Most of the inhabitants had already relocated to other worlds and other nations across the globe. Capricorn sent all of them there in his scramble to save as many people as possible. The fifth world was coming, had already emerged, and their world would pass. Mika felt a tightness in her throat as she dragged her feet across the sand back to the old mesa. She would go to the temple and lead the service, announcing her brother’s death. She was the high priestess, and now it fell upon her to take over Capricorn’s post as Temple Master.

The remaining villagers would be heartbroken. The world they had forged on the Earth Mother so many years ago was ending. In the past months, remnants of Atlantis had begun to emerge. It was becoming more and more commonplace. The two worlds had started to fuse. The space-time curve embraced each one as if they belonged together. Soon it would be as if the two had always been one. It was not what Mika had expected.

The Wings of Phoenix was made of orichalcum, an alloy of gold and copper, stronger than steel and virtually indestructible. It rolled gracefully over the sea, shimmering a bright red as the sun hit the ship's side. It was the most modern ship of its time and across the ages. The vessel traveled through portals, reconstructing its molecules and recreating itself as it passed through time and space. The deck displayed wood flooring panels, giving the outside an elegant and simple look.

Heavy steps sounded inside the bridge. Black military boots soiled the perfectly polished floor. The men of Scorpus had infiltrated the vessel. Take the wheel and man this vessel! Nahik shouted. His blue eyes darkened and turned a steely gray. I command you to dock, now! He threw off his heavy black coat on the Captain's chair.

This is my ship, General. the Captain came to stand next to him, his round face turning crimson. We will dock when I say.

Nahik lifted his chin, his persona emitting arrogance and title. The Wings of Phoenix is property of the Empire now, and you will do as we say or lose your title, Captain. Do I make myself clear?

There was a long pause. This is not a military vessel, sir. We are not equipped....

It is now. Nahik grabbed his military jacket, turned, and walked away, leaving the man standing alone on the deck. I say when the ship is ready to depart. The General muttered more to himself than anyone else. His strawberry blond curls darkened in the rain, looking almost a sandy brown. He was tired of resistance, tired of the bickering, and most of all, tired of the war.

The ship anchored off the coast of Trill, large patches of ocean replaced the land that had been seven islands, once scattered across the sea. The three remaining islands protruded out of the water like an unfinished puzzle, barely visible.

Spirit Wolf pressed his face against the window. He had never been on a ship this size. Sometimes he’d go fishing with his friends, but nobody had any craft this large. They mostly used rafts which they made themselves or canoes. The Wings of Phoenix could do things their tiny vessels could not. It had crossed a giant vortex into an ocean hundreds of thousands of years younger than the one it had just traversed.

He had heard the two men exchanging words, and in his opinion, the Captain was in the right. The Wings of Phoenix was not a military ship. He stared at the barrels on the cargo deck.

Anuka stirred. She wearily got up from the bed, rubbed her eyes with her fists, and walked to where Spirit Wolf stood. The sky was beginning to brighten, but night lingered, still holding its dark influence over the city. Anuka dove into Spirit’s arms, smiling and snuggling her head against his chest. She had never been to Trill. She had lived in Isosilis all her life. Anuka stared out into the city at the shrine. Bright lights glimmered, bursting out of a thousand tiny notches carved into the white stone walls that made up the face of the temple. In the distance, it looked like a burning star, twinkling, making everything around it seem small and insignificant.

Why are we stopped? Anuka’s voice shook.

I don’t know. Perhaps they have deliveries, or they’re trading goods. Spirit Wolf said, unsure of his reply. The General made the Captain anchor. He hoped Nahik knew what he was doing. Nahik did not seem like an evil man. The General had given them part of his quarters adjacent to the navigation bridge. No one else would have done that.

Dancing Butterfly was still sleeping, sprawled across the General’s bed. This new life was draining. Already, they had crossed a time portal, been transported to Atlantis, and become a part of its history. Spirit Wolf shook his head. If his memory served him correctly, there had been a civil war between the islands before the final deluge. Only three islands were left at this point of emergence from their world into this one. Spirit Wolf’s throat tightened. He could feel the void in the space they once occupied. It was overwhelming. He peered out of the large window that made up the face of the cabin, struggling to erase the feeling. He felt sick, staring out at the grand temples and marvelous bridges for which Trill was famed. This island, too, would disappear one day. It all seemed so futile. This place was no safer than Bethel had been. Spirit Wolf felt a little unnerved.

The Sheti were like roaches, difficult to eradicate. Spirit turned his attention to a flat-topped altar at the cabin entrance. It was a sacrificial table; from its worn appearance, he could tell it had endured many nights of religious ceremony. Spirit pulled out a handful of stones from his bag. He dropped them into a bowl that rested on the little table. He could feel the strength and power of the altar. The energy of the ones before, and he bowed his head, kneeling before it, and offered his devotion to the ancient spirits of this new land.

Dancing Butterfly rose, peeling layers of blankets and sheets off her body and scattering them on the bed. Then, jumping to her feet, she rushed across the wooden floor like a child on the day of her birth celebration, running onto the deck without reserve.

We’re here! She exclaimed, leaning over the railing of the ship. Outside, the heavens were bare, the dawn still a blur of gray, shimmering over the blackened sea. A giant tower of marble and stone rose out of the earth, twisting into the sky like a magnificent white cobra poking its head out of the fog. Is that where we’re staying? Dancing Butterfly asked, pointing at the tower and turning to the cabin, noticeably excited. It was the happiest Spirit Wolf had seen her be since they’d left Lion’s Gate. He hesitated before responding. He didn’t know. Capricorn never said they were staying in a tower and hadn’t explained the details. Spirit Wolf shrugged, walking out to join his sister.

How long are we going to be here? Dancing Butterfly asked. Her eyes were still swollen with sleep, but her expression was happy, expectant, and hopeful, and Spirit Wolf couldn’t help but smile.

I don’t know. Spirit Wolf took a deep breath; he needed to be patient with her. He had to keep reminding himself. Dancing Butterfly nodded without responding. He knew it would take time for Dancing Butterfly to adjust to Miaka’s absence and accept the sudden death of their uncle as it would for him. Both incidents had affected them strongly. To his sister, it was as if both her guardians had died and were gone, forever.

Spirit Wolf surveyed the coastline, taking in the city all around them. Trill was crowded, filled with merchant ships and with people. It didn’t seem like a peaceful place. There were all kinds of groups here, all seeking refuge, like themselves, from things to come and disasters that had already wiped out entire worlds, villages, and cultures. Spirit Wolf stared at the splendid sculptures, waterfalls, fountains, and great statues that rose all around them. These were the crowning achievements of Trill. 

Then he saw it, the Temple of Light, nestled high on the mountain top, behind the bay, overlooking the ocean. Known throughout the world, past, present, and even future. He had heard about it from Miaka.

Over there, by the rocks, do you see it? Spirit Wolf pointed at the temple. I bet that’s where we’re going. He smiled, certainly, that would keep his sister’s spirits high.

It’s beautiful! Anuka said, lifting her head. Luscious red tresses fell softly over her face, and she combed them back with her fingertips.

Yes, very. Spirit agreed, pulling off his animal skin and draping it over Anuka’s shoulders. He rubbed her arms briskly on either side, creating warmth, and then gathered her into his embrace.

Anuka smiled. I meant the temple!

Oh yes, the temple, it’s remarkable. Spirit Wolf said, his lips curling at corners.

Let’s go! Dancing Butterfly cried, letting go of the railing. She pressed her hands against Spirit Wolf’s back, maneuvering him towards the ship's bow, anxious to dive into her new life beyond the shore.

We can’t leave. Spirit Wolf looked back at his sister. "Not until the