Time Eclipse

By Newman Skyles and Panayotis

...a figure bearing an unmistakable resemblance to Pierre himself. He was astonished and bewildered by what he saw. Suddenly, the book emitted an otherworldly luminescence, casting an eerie glow upon the room. Overwhelmed by fear, Katherine retreated from the scene, her voice piercing the air with a desperate cry for help.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Skyles
• Release date: Jun 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223101727

Newman Skyles

退休生活在佛罗里达州

Book preview

Time Eclipse

By Newman Skyles

Chapter 1

A Glorious Day for an Adventure

The verdant forest beckoned Pierre Lafleur and his loyal companions, Christo, George, Gregory, and Katherine, to embark on a captivating expedition. Sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, casting a tapestry of dappled shadows upon the forest floor. It was a day that brimmed with the potential for extraordinary discoveries.

As they ventured deeper into the enchanting woodland, their inquisitive gazes fell upon a weathered structure, its age and neglect etched upon its weary facade. Whispers of forgotten secrets seemed to emanate from its timeworn appearance, tantalizing the intrepid explorers with promises of revelation. Overcoming their trepidation, they approached the ancient edifice, wondering if any lingering spirits dared call it home.

Pierre, his eyes alight with excitement, proposed a daring plan to unravel the mystery. Only by knocking upon the door could they discern if life still dwelled within those hallowed walls. Though his comrades hesitated, their curiosity sparked, they awaited the outcome with bated breath. With unwavering resolve, Pierre rapped upon the door, but it yielded no response. Undeterred, he knocked once more, hoping to shatter the veil of silence that enveloped the dwelling. Still, no answer echoed from within.

With a tinge of apprehension, Pierre's hand grasped the doorknob, guided almost by an unseen force. The door creaked open, extending an invitation to explore the hidden depths within. Glancing back at his comrades, Pierre, emboldened by his insatiable curiosity, forged ahead into the abyss while his loyal companions hesitated outside, restrained by a sense of caution. Moments later, Pierre returned, informing his friends of an empty dwelling, encouraging them to join him without fear or hesitation.

Reluctantly, the group crossed the threshold, and Pierre closed the door behind them, severing their connection to the outside world. Fueled by an insatiable desire to uncover the dwelling's secrets, they embarked on an exploratory quest, unearthing chambers far grander in scale than they had anticipated. Pierre, in particular, stumbled upon a chamber adorned with towering cupboards, exuding an aura of forgotten enchantment. Meanwhile, the others ventured into rooms concealed in various corners of the edifice, their intrigue mounting with each new discovery.

Suddenly, a piercing scream shattered the tranquility, echoing from the depths of the building. The voice belonged to Katherine, and the group hastened toward her distress. There, beside a table adorned with a knapsack and a book inscribed with inscrutable symbols, Katherine revealed her find. The mystifying engravings etched upon the book's cover and pages left the group spellbound, for they had never encountered such arcane markings before.

What manner of sorcery is this? Pierre mused, his voice a blend of wonder and perplexity.

Silence fell over the group as they stood in awe, their collective wisdom unable to fathom the nature of this ancient relic. Yet, an undeniable truth resonated within them—the book possessed immeasurable value, perhaps exceeding their wildest imaginings. This may hold immense power, Christo speculated, his companions nodding in agreement, sensing the latent potential concealed within the artifact.

Undeterred by his friends' cautionary warnings, Pierre reached out tentatively for the book, driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge. However, his companions implored him to reconsider, fearing the untold consequences that might arise from touching such a venerable artifact. As they pleaded with him, Pierre's eyes glimmered with a mixture of anticipation and determination.

Could it be? Pierre pondered aloud, addressing the group. This ancient book might harbor secrets beyond the confines of our time and space.

Unyielding in his resolve, Pierre opened the book, its pages whispering tales of eras long past. As his gaze traversed the historical photographs preserved within, he stumbled upon a peculiar image, defying the boundaries of reason. It depicted ancient Greece, a realm untouched by the advent of photography, yet there stood a Greek warrior adorned in full regalia—a figure bearing an unmistakable resemblance to Pierre himself. He was astonished and bewildered by what he saw. Suddenly, the book emitted an otherworldly luminescence, casting an eerie glow upon the room. Overwhelmed by fear, Katherine retreated from the scene, her voice piercing the air with a desperate cry for help. Christo, George, and Gregory hastened to her side, listening to her trembling account of the unfolding events.

They rushed back to the room in fear, in disbelief in what they found. Yet, to their dismay, the room stood empty, devoid of Pierre's presence, along with the knapsack and the enigmatic book that had become a gateway to the unfathomable. Baffled and at a loss, the group scoured every nook and cranny, desperately seeking any trace of their vanished comrade or the book that had become an unexpected conduit to the unexplained. Regrettably, their search proved fruitless, leaving them with more questions than answers. Succumbing to the inevitable, they resolved to seek assistance from the authorities, for this puzzle surpassed their understanding.

Emerging from the dilapidated dwelling, they were greeted by a gathering crowd, their inquisitive gazes fixed upon the structure. Approaching them, the group beseeched the onlookers for any information regarding peculiar occurrences in the vicinity. One among them recounted witnessing a radiant illumination emanating from the building earlier that night, but fear had deterred them from further investigation.

Startled by this revelation, the group grasped the gravity of Pierre's disappearance and the enigmatic forces at play. They relayed the incident to the authorities, hoping for guidance, only to be met with perplexed bewilderment. Pierre's fate remained a mystery, eluding comprehension, and rationality.

As days turned into weeks, the group delved deeper into the study of the inscrutable symbols etched upon the walls. Collaborating with experts from diverse fields—archaeology, history, and linguistics—they sought to unravel the tapestry of ancient knowledge interwoven within the intricate glyphs.

Through tireless research and relentless exploration, they unraveled the secrets of the symbol—a sigil steeped in the forgotten wisdom of a long-lost civilization. Legends whispered that this glyph held the power to bridge chasms between dimensions, opening portals to uncharted realms and yet undiscovered domains.

A revelation dawned upon the group—the device Pierre had unwittingly activated was intricately linked to this ancient sigil. Hypothesizing that he had inadvertently triggered a portal, transporting himself and the mysterious book into uncharted realms, they resolved to retrace his steps, seeking to recreate the improbable and penetrate the veil once more. Yet, amid their pursuit, a lurking awareness gnawed at their souls, warning them of the perils inherent in meddling with forces beyond mortal understanding.

In the end, they made a solemn pact, acknowledging that certain riddles are best left unsolved, certain realms better left unexplored. Although they abandoned their search for Pierre and the mysterious book, they vowed never to forget their dear friend and to honor his memory by approaching the uncharted territories of the mystical unknown with caution and reverence.

*****

One year had passed since Pierre's inexplicable disappearance, and now the group of friends—Gregory, Christo, George, and Katherine—found themselves drawn back to the old rustic building where their companion had vanished. Ascending the weathered steps, Christo, filled with a mix of apprehension and determination, swung open the creaking door, stealing a glance back at his comrades.

Well, let us not prolong this any further, Christo declared to the group, his voice tinged with a touch of melancholy. Their pact to return to the cabin on the anniversary of Pierre's disappearance had brought them here once again. Stepping inside, they shuffled through the entrance, their entry marked by the closing of the door, sealing them within the confines of the familiar space.

They made their way to the room where the inexplicable events had unfolded, gathering around the table in solemn silence. Memories of their shared experiences with Pierre danced in their minds, evoking laughter, chuckles, and even tears that welled in Katherine's eyes.

Gregory, with deliberate care, reached into his knapsack, retrieving four small glasses and a bottle of Metaxa, a Greek Brandy. As he poured a measure of the amber liquid into each glass, his actions became filled with significance. The gesture was one of homage—a tribute to their friend Pierre. With glasses in hand, he raised a toast, his words resonating with heartfelt longing.

To our dear friend Pierre, may he remain safe and return to us someday, Gregory proclaimed, his voice carrying a tinge of wistfulness. The others joined in, lifting their glasses to their lips, and swiftly consuming the potent libation. A warm surge coursed through their throats, a bittersweet reminder of their bond, while Katherine, caught in the moment, choked, and coughed, struggling to contain her emotions.

Exiting the room, the group ventured outside, their conversation weaving tales of the lives they had lived in the past year. Christo regaled them with tales of his newly opened restaurant in Montreal, while George shared the success of his thriving home inspection business, necessitating the addition of more employees. Gregory, too, spoke of triumph in his newly embarked-upon stockbroker business. Yet, curiously, no one broached the subject of Katherine's writing endeavors. She had just completed her third book, a work delving into the realms of horror.

Eventually, they reached their parked cars, where Gregory, Christo, and George bid their farewells to Katherine, all agreeing to meet again the following year on the anniversary of Pierre's vanishing.

Katherine settled into her car, watching her friends drive away. The engine hummed, yet the vehicle remained motionless, as her mind plunged into contemplation. Deep within her being, an unyielding resolve took root.

Yes, that is precisely what I shall do, she whispered to herself, her voice carrying an air of determination. Katherine had decided to take it upon herself to aid in Pierre's rescue.

With a firm resolution in her heart, Katherine drove away, her mind consumed by thoughts of finding a pathway to Pierre's return. Her recollection of the event's final moments lingered; an image of Pierre captivated by a photograph depicting ancient Greece. It was there, amidst the enigmatic traces of the past, that she believed the answers lay.

The following day, Katherine found herself fortunate enough to secure a standby flight to Athens, departing from Montreal's Dorval International Airport. Settling into her seat, she embarked on the arduous journey, knowing all too well the exhaustion that would follow. Despite fleeting moments of slumber, she emerged no less weary upon reaching the terminal, ready to embark on the next leg of her quest.

Navigating the airport, Katherine located the train destined for the heart of the city, her fare paid, and settled into a sparsely populated carriage. Her accommodations had been arranged at a Bed & Breakfast—an establishment called Yia-Yia's, which, according to the enticing images on a travel brochure, promised a delightful respite. The journey took over an hour, eventually depositing her at the doorstep of the lodging.

A striking elderly Greek woman greeted Katherine with a wide smile and a warm good morning. Summoning a young man, the proprietor directed him to assist with Katherine's luggage, escorting her to the room on the third floor, without the benefit of an elevator. In gratitude, Katherine slipped the young man a modest drachmas as a token of appreciation before taking charge of her suitcase and placing it gently upon the bed.

Beyond a set of French doors awaited a balcony of considerable size. Opening them, she beheld a breathtaking sight—a panoramic view of the Parthenon atop the Acropolis, an ancient edifice that stirred awe within her soul. Standing there, captivated by the majestic beauty of the temple dedicated to the Goddess Athena, Katherine made a solemn vow to herself, her eyes tracing the heavens above Athens.

"No matter what it takes or what hardships I face, I shall