Faith Has Abandoned Me
The ground trembled and shattered, splintering into fragments of floating islands. Zarda sat frozen, his wide eyes filled with terror and his mouth agape. Confusion washed over him; at first, he believed they were under assault. However, he and the others would soon come to understand that their situation was far more dire than his worst fears. Abaji quickly rose to his feet and called for his guards to gather nearby. A group of five or more of his elite warriors hurried in. Abaji asked his men to give report on what was happening outside the castle walls. With expressions of horror, the elites shared that the sky was filling with floating rock formations, seemingly the earth seemed to be drifting away from the sun at an alarming speed. From their observance, Gravity was the only force keeping everyone anchored to the shreds of the earth that remained. Except for a few unfortunate bystanders. Yizzik, Zee's son, spoke up and sharing what he witnessed, he said strange figures—hybrids, humans, trees, buildings, and animals were floating out into space where the sky once stood. The blue heavens were undergoing a transformation, gradually transitioning into darkness.
"Why? How? What on earth is happening?" the bewildered leader questioned. No one had answers, only the visions of chaos unraveling before them. Zarda's anxiety intensified with each passing moment, his thoughts racing in every direction. Was his family safe? Were his friends still nearby, or had they vanished? Was this truly the end of the world, a moment Elohim had chosen not to reveal? Anger surged within Zarda; he felt both betrayed and confused about why his master had kept such vital information from him. How could he abandon him after promising to always be there? With a voice raised in desperation, Zarda's shout froze everyone in place, even Abaji, gripped by fear stood motionless. The deep growl that followed his outburst sent chills through them all. Zee had never witnessed Zarda in such a fierce state before and hoped he never would again.
"Where are you, Elohim? Have you abandoned me? Have you taken pleasure in my pain? First, I lost my father, then my brother and I endured years of despair. I had to feel the painful transformation of our bodies into a hybrid form, and now my friend's son has vanished. The flood has taken many beloved friends and good kings from us. I was kidnapped from Africa, brought to a torture lab filled with other hybrids. I also lost a loyal warrior and an old mentor to war; and to top it off I endured a tragic plane crash that took the lives of two more innocent beings. The list of my suffering goes on, and now this. You've become a cruel joke; you promised you wouldn't abandon me, yet here you are, hiding instead of facing me. It's you who are the coward now, not me," Zarda cried, fists clenched towards the sky.
Tears brimmed in Zarda's eyes, cascading down his soft white cheeks. He took a moment before continuing, his voice firm and filled with rage. His gaze sharpened, and his tone turned darker and more threatening. "I loathe you; I detest you with every fiber of my being. I wish I had never heard your voice summon me. You are no longer my Elohim. To me, you are as good as dead," he yelled.
As the words left his lips, a heavy exhalation escaped from his open mouth. It was as though the essence of life itself had slipped away from him. The spirit of Elohim had vanished from Zarda's being, leaving him feeling drained and weary. Everyone watched him with a mix of concern and sympathy. No one could truly grasp the depth of pain he was experiencing. It was clear he had shared a profound connection with his master, one that had ignited such anger within him. Based on the list he had shared; they too would have reacted with similar fervor. Abaji approached the distressed lion slowly and placed a steady hand on his broad shoulder. Zarda turned sharply to meet the wolf's gaze. Abaji stood firm, offering solace to the troubled lion. Saddened, Zarda let out a deep, mournful cry for all to witness. Afterward, he walked away and returned to the table, aware that the words he had spoken had established a new dynamic in his long-standing relationship with his master. A sense of coldness enveloped him, leaving him feeling distant from the warmth he once cherished. The once vibrant glow of his skin had faded to a dull gray. His beautiful green and gold eyes had lost their luster. He slumped down in his seat, feeling the weight of his heavy head. Deep down, he was aware that he was dying and that his strength had abandoned him. Resolute, he pushed away from the table, stumbling towards Zee. The old lizard gazed in horror at the rapid deterioration of Zarda's body. With both hands, he lifted the frail creature and called for Grizk and Abaji to assist. Together, the three struggled to bring the weakened lion back to their van, with Zee hurrying to get them back to Nomad as quickly as possible.
"Travel swiftly and safely, my friend. Please send word back to me when you arrive home. I offer my falcon Zephyr to go with you. Send him back with the good news. I truly hope Zarda recovers and that everyone is safe and sound," Abaji said. He then called for his falcon to come to him. Zephyr swooped down and perched on his master's arm as he had done before, countless times. Abaji gently covered the falcon's eyes with a leather eye mask. Before handing him over, he instructed the bird to return home with all haste. He passed his bird friend over to Grizk, as they quickly settled into the van to depart.
Zee started the vehicle and zoomed away into the horizon, leaving Abaji watching with worry. The solitary figure gazed up at the sky, where a dark galaxy stretched overhead. Fragments of earth, shaped like meteors, drifted lazily through the sky as if it were an everyday occurrence. The drive back home was much quicker than the journey to Abaji. Arriving to their base, Zee came to a sudden halt inside the garage, turning off the engine before leaping out of the vehicle. He hurried around to Zarda's side, where he and Grizk carefully helped the lion out and supported him as they made their way inside. The remnants of the building lay scattered around them, the result of the earthquake. Lizards scurried for cover under tables, frightened by the chaos. Zee called out, instructing them to retreat to their rooms for now, promising to send out a message over the intercom soon. His focus in the moment was on Zarda's health. He needed Nurse Sandy to quickly assess the lions' vital signs. Rushing through the sliding door of Zarda's room, Zee and Grizk startled the others who had gathered, anxiously awaiting their leaders' return after the terrifying incident. Disbelief and horror etched across their faces when they saw their friend's condition. Oridian's heart sank; she ran to him without thinking, embracing his frail body tightly. Zee and Grizk continued to hold him up, with their heads lowered.
Oridian cradled Zarda's face in her hands and softly kissed his forehead, just as he had done before his departure. His eyes were barely open, yet he recognized the warmth of her embrace. He reached out, wrapping his arms around her, squeezing with all the strength he could muster. He clung to her presence, weeping into her chest, his cries echoing his deep despair. As he slowly regained his composure and calmed his emotions, he began to recount the terrible act he had committed. The others listened on in disbelief, their faces reflecting utter shock. Oridian could only weep for Zarda. Osborn had compassion on his friend, he lowered his head and approached Zarda's fragile form, humbly.
In a gentle tone, Osborn began to speak, "We all make mistakes, mate. There's no need to be hard on yourself about this. In time, you'll find forgiveness when your heart is ready. I truly believe the master cares for you deeply. You have endured more than anyone else I know, yet your master has always guided you through it, and each time, you emerged victorious, alive, and with more blessings than one could imagine. You haven't just gained one queen but three—two little ones—and a host of friends and loyal allies. You've embarked on an incredible journey across the sea, multiple now, which you have the means to bring back everything you've received in such a short time. Remember, you've become a powerful hybrid, a King over all of Africa, and, as far as I'm concerned, a King over all of us. You have been a positive help to many in need and You're my best friend and my fearless leader, until my final breath I take, so never forget your many blessings my King. Can't you see them all, as we can? None of us can claim what you have." How about you, Dane? Or you, Zee? And what about you, Vulpix? Can you three say you have had such a life?"
Zarda had never encountered an explanation quite like this before, and it filled him with a deep sense of despair. He recalled the words of the master from the time of his capture. Now, amidst the chaos, he recognized the blessings that surrounded him. Tears streamed down Zarda's face as he reached out to hold onto Osborn. The large bear lifted Zarda and enveloped him in a firm embrace. Osborn cared deeply for his friend and was determined not to let him surrender so easily to despair regarding the master.
"Take your time, Zarda. Healing your heart and restoring your mind will take patience. When you're ready, Elohim will be there for you. Just remember to approach Him with humility and repentant spirit." Osborn encouraged.
Zarda took a deep breath to steady his nerves. He felt grateful for his friend's wise and caring advice. Gathering himself, he stood a bit taller than he had since leaving Abaji's kingdom. As he looked at his friends, he noticed their silent attention on him, their expressions a mix of hope and concern about whether he could hold on. He thought to himself that Osborn was right; he just needed time to heal. Eventually, he would seek forgiveness for his foolish words. For now, however, his heart still simmered with anger, and he felt much the same way as before, though physically he was in worse shape.
"We need to understand what's happening here. There must be a clear explanation for everything," Zarda remarked.
Zee glanced over with concern. "You need to rest right now. Nurse Sandy can administer some fluid injections to help you recover. Let my team go out and investigate the problem. You and your companions can stay here for the time being," he said.
Zarda acknowledged his kind host, recognizing the brilliance of the idea proposed. He then made his way to the bed, intending to rest for a while. His heart pounded in his chest, and he felt as though he was sinking into the mattress. Zee called for Nurse Sandy to attend to the restless lion. Once he was assured that his friend was in capable hands, he and Grizk hurried out of the room in search of Rez and the others. It was time to get moving. Zee felt a twinge of anxiety as he pondered what was unfolding around them. From the earlier expressions of Zarda's crew, it was clear they too had experienced what went down in Zerzura.
Seek and the Destroyed
Zee found himself back in his office, struggling to collect his thoughts before delivering an important announcement over the intercom. His mind, however, was clouded, distracted by the unsettling earthquake situation. He felt powerless, unable to provide his team with the reassurance or clear answers they needed. In a silent plea for support, he glanced at Grizk, feeling both puzzled and helpless. Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Grizk understood it was his time to take charge. He approached his father with a quiet confidence and took hold of the intercom. Speaking in a calm voice, he directed everyone to remain calm and stay in their rooms for the time being, assuring them that he and his father's mafia had everything under control. Lastly, he remembered to call for his brother, Rez, and his four cousins to gather in his father's office. Zee gazed at his son with newfound admiration. His young lizzit, who often seemed to stumble through life, had taken the initiative this time and come through for his old dad. Zee couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. Approaching Grizk, he placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, offering silent support. With a nod and a smile, Zee made his way to sit at his desk. Grizk felt elated to earn his father's approval; a faint smile crept across his face as he bowed his head to conceal his happiness. He moved to stand by the front sliding door, eagerly waiting and watching for the arrival of his family.
Shortly after the announcement, Rez stormed into the office as he always did, his arrogance on full display. He shot a disdainful glance at his younger brother as he walked past, muttering a quiet insult under his breath. Grizk, however, was unfazed; he was still riding high on the admiration his father had shown him. Even if the world were to end, he would find contentment in knowing he had pleased his father. Zee greeted Rez with his customary nod and instructed him to take a seat and keep his mouth shut, as it was always running with empty boasts. Rez sulked but settled himself smugly in a bean bag in the corner, arms crossed. They waited for the others to arrive. Soon after, Throk, Thriruuzk, Akkis, and Six entered, deep in discussion. Everyone's thoughts were consumed by the recent incident and its underlying causes. Zee rose from his chair, adjusting his belt as he carefully considered his words. "You all know why we've gathered here. We have a mission to tackle. Grizk and I were with Zarda when we were meeting with President Abaji, and then suddenly, the ground started to shake. Your brother Yizzik told us he saw chunks of the earth breaking away into what used to be our sky, now just open space. He mentioned that those who had been unfortunate enough to be caught in the wrong spot fell into the abyss and are now drifting into the darkness. Our sun remains on its path, but our world has fragmented and drifted far from where it was. The temperature is dropping, and we might be heading toward an entirely new environment. What was once parched and unbearably hot could soon turn to ice. We need to find out what has caused this calamity. That will be your task: to uncover the answers. Before we depart, I need each of you to gather additional clothing-dress warmly as much as you can, blankets, flares, weapons, water, flint, and steel. We might be in for a harsh awakening soon; time is not on our side. Now, let's get prepared and move out." Zee concluded.
Rez sat still sulking on the large beanbag chair, looking at Grizk with an evil stare. Throk and his brother Thriruuzk were the first to leave, they left together as they were instructed. Next out were Akkis and his sister Six. Unlike Rez they took their uncles instructions serious. Zee watched both of his sons carefully, as they stared at one another. One was calm and unbothered, while the other looked ready to kill at any second.
"Rez, whatever's bothering you, it's time to sort it out. We don't know what we'll uncover in all of this. What if this is the last time you see your brother? I can't bear the thought that the way you're glaring at him with so much anger could be the final look he ever receives from you. Get yourself together, do as I say, and meet back here promptly. Now, go!" Zee shouted, frustrated.
Rez directed his gaze towards his father, then flashed a sarcastic smirk. He pushed himself up, stood tall, and silently walked past his father, exiting the room. Zee shook his head, feeling a twinge of disappointment in Rez for the first time. "What am I going to do with you two boys? Can I rely on you, Grizk? I need you to gather your belongings. I'm unsure how long we'll be away or how quickly we'll uncover any answers, if we find any at all. Go ahead, and I'll meet you back here." Zee instructed.
Grizk was resolved to regain his father's pride in him. A newfound determination stirred within, and he was eager to maintain that drive. Following his father's instructions, Grizk exited the office and made his way to his room to collect the necessary supplies. Fortunately, he had all the essentials needed for their journey, no matter how long it might take. One thing was certain: Zee had been correct about the temperature. It was gradually decreasing by the minute. The tiny piece of the world they inhabited had come to a standstill, settling in the galaxy exactly where it needed to be. They were fortunate it hadn't drifted further away; otherwise, the planet would have frozen solid, jeopardizing the lives of all its inhabitants. Soon, they would come to understand that the various fragments of the Earth had shifted in different directions as they orbited the sun. Some islands had drifted so close that the heat became unbearable for those not unaccustomed to such extreme temperatures. Life as they knew it had transformed; it was now a wholly different universe. At this stage, no one knew if anyone else had survived on the other fragmented islands—they could only speculate. Together, the small gang of lizards made their way back to Big Zee's office, awaiting his next instructions. Zee outlined the plan: they would need to take two vehicles and travel together at times to get to the heart of the problem, even if it meant working through the night. He motivated them to gather their belongings and follow him outside. The air was crisp, and their breaths manifested as little clouds of vapor with each exhale. The heating system intended to provide comfort had turned bitterly cold, and Zee realized he had to adjust the temperature of the facility, before returning to find their home filled with frozen lizards and guests. Fortunately, the garage served multiple functions, housing the vehicles, the workshop, and providing power to the entire plant. Zee instructed Akkis and Six to go and reset the temperature to a comfortable warmth—not too hot, just right for their preferences.
Zee instructed Rez, Throk, and Thriruuzk to ride along with him while assigning Grizk the responsibility of driving Akkis, with Six following behind. They had loaded their dune buggies and prepared the engines as they waited for the siblings to return. Fortunately, it was a quick task, and the brother-sister duo soon rejoined Grizk. Zee was the first to move out, making sure to drive slowly and steadily as he exited the garage. The atmosphere was tense, as they were uncertain of what awaited them outside. The dark sky of the galaxy had taken on a striking electric bluish-black hue, making the constellations look eerily closer. The group gazed up at the sky, where floating objects seemed frozen in time – a haunting sight of deceased humans, hybrids, and animals suspended forever above. It was a chilling scene. Grizk chose to ignore it, focusing his eyes and pace on following his father. However, Zee occasionally became distracted by the view above, narrowly avoiding, collisions with fallen meteor fragments. Rez was already frustrated with his father's driving, and pleaded with him to let him take the wheel, so that his father could look around. Zee refused, determined to stay at the wheel and refocused on the road ahead. He wasn't quite sure of their destination, but soon devised a plan to drive as far as possible without falling off the edge of the earth, then navigate around the boundaries of the island they called home. The roads were beginning to freeze over, yet strangely enough, snow was falling, providing the tires with better traction as they continued on in the buggy. The only concern was that if they hit a slick patch and ended up at the edge of the world, the outcome could be disastrous. While Zee had lived a rich and full life and wasn't afraid of death, his son and nephews had not, and all they truly wanted was to live.
The outside world felt eerily silent and disturbingly empty. The cities along the route offered a bleak sight. Some of the ravaged remains of looted towns had suffered additional damage from the recent earthquake and were now blanketed in snow. Those structures still standing seemed abandoned, devoid of life. Where had everyone gone, and what had transpired? Seeking answers to his own questions, Zee pulled the buggy to the side of the road and turned off the engine. He glanced at his family and urged them to bundle up and take a weapon. With that, Zee stepped out of the vehicle and approached the city gates to assess the area. The city was eerily quiet. As he reached the first building, he shone his light through the windows, revealing only empty, forsaken furniture inside. He moved on to the next building, hopeful of finding something that would aid their search. To his shock, he peered inside and saw what looked like frozen hybrids. As he had feared, the move away from the sun had caused a swift drop in temperature, leading to their demise. With a heavy heart, he surveyed the scene, mourning the fact that this tragedy could have been averted if they had learned the truth sooner. Little did they know, they had yet to uncover the real reason behind the world's disintegration. Zee was convinced that the other houses would yield similar results. However, a flicker of hope pushed him to continue the search for survivors. They proceeded to the next house, determined to discover anyone still alive—or unfortunately, anyone who had perished. As they carefully scoured the rooms, all they found were cold, lifeless bodies. As they progressed, they collected valuable supplies to aid their journey. The chilling air was beginning to bite, making everyone increasingly uncomfortable.
"My fingers are starting to feel like they're on fire—is that normal uncle Zee?" Throk asked, his worry evident.
Big Zee, recognizing the concern that hoar frost had descended, understood that if his frostbite went untreated, it could severely damage Throk's nerves. He quickly approached Throk and cupped his hands around his for a moment, blowing warm air between them to provide some relief. Zee realized they needed to start a fire and carry torches to keep warm. He had his family pause to tend to their own needs before moving on to the next house. He was determined to ensure that his family wouldn't suffer the same fate as the unfortunate residents they had encountered. Throk alternated between warming his cold hands by the flickering flame of his torch. With each moment, they began to feel more comfortable. However, in the next house, they were met with a heartbreaking sight: the family pets lay frozen in the arms of their owners. Six let out a sorrowful whimper, empathizing with the suffering shared by the pets and their hybrid companions. Meanwhile, Zee moved through the remaining rooms, finding no one else inside. They dedicated the next hour to meticulously checking each house. Upon entering the final home, Zee caught a whiff of something burning. Intrigued, he ventured further inside. As he turned a corner, he startled a young female sand cat and her mother. The kitten shrieked in fear, thinking they were raiders come to take them away. She buried her face in her mother's shirt, hoping for safety, while her mother bravely hissed at Zee to scare him away, even though her own heart raced with fear. Realizing he had scared them, Zee crouched down, intent on reassuring them that he was there to help. Once the mother understood his intentions, she comforted her daughter, and together they left the house with Zee and his family. They couldn't continue their hunt with the sand cats in tow; they needed to bring them back to the compound for warmth and food.
Zee advised Grizk to return the two survivors to Zeneth Ilhthid, while he and the others continued their search. He instructed his son to retrace the same careful path to drop off the sand cats, then to quickly rejoin them at the nearest standing city. Grizk felt a sense of importance in carrying out his father's instructions, pleased to contribute and help things progress positively. With more space in his vehicle than his father's, loading up would be a breeze. Akkis sat in the front with Grizk, while Six took it upon herself to keep the mother and little one company in the back seat. The journey back for Grizk's team was peaceful, accompanied only by the sound of the passing wind outside the vehicle. As the sole female, Six made an effort to comfort the mother and her young one throughout their brief, gentle conversations. Upon arriving back at the garage, Grizk noticed his fuel level was lower than usual. After arriving safe and sound, they all departed the vehicle. Grizk sent Six upstairs with the two newcomers while he and Akkis took care of refueling and the packing of additional fuel for themselves and the other buggy, just in case they wanted to venture beyond their usual routes. The extra fuel would allow for their plan to work out perfectly. Grizk had little knowledge of the number of cities in both territories altogether, but he was well acquainted with those in his own region of Birbiblos. Their hometown, Nomad, was surrounded by several nearby cities. Of those, three had been destroyed, leaving only two still standing from what he could see so far. The last city they had visited was Zinual Lilith. Though it stood vacant and desolate, its structure remained intact. In stark contrast, Rock Taheri and Plenorian had been completely destroyed. The closest city to those ruins was Belmora; deep down, Grizk hoped his friends who lived there were safe and that the city continued to thrive. Beyond Belmora lay the remnants of Jindan, and farther down the road were Wadi Rum, Tarangire and Zerzura, the white city where they had recently left their leader, Abaji. If they planned to search all the surrounding cities, it would likely take them all night and perhaps extend into the next day, requiring a significant amount of fuel and resources. Grizk remembered the names of the farthest cities: Nakuru, Shadizar, and Oasis City, located within the ancient and ritual-laden lands of Peloria. He also thought of Nuziqin, the hidden city, and Osiria, the forgotten city of God, Rock Taheri city, Plenorian and Spirit city the last settlement before entering Ghaythfa's territory. These towns occupied his thoughts, but he was aware they might discover new ones along their journey, as long as they remained standing.
Grizk finished fueling up as Akkis checked the tire pressure and replenished supplies he thought would be useful for the trip. He also grabbed an axe just in case. Six arrived back at the garage right on schedule. She climbed into the dune buggy and prepared for departure. Grizk and Akkis joined her, and with the engine growling to life, they slowly rolled out of the garage, a sequence Grizk had learned from watching his father. The snowfall had intensified, and the darkened skies made visibility challenging. He drove cautiously, retracing their previous route. Once Grizk felt secure in his direction, he gradually increased his speed. They made their way swiftly back to Zee and the others, finding them searching the grounds of Wadi Rum as had been expected. The enchanting city maintained its distinctive radiance even after becoming an icy wonderland. The colors around it softened and adjusted to match the mood, with vibrant oranges and greens transforming into soft illuminated blues and purples, while yellows shifted to bright whites. The sight of Wadi Rum was magnificent; the Valley of the Moon truly lived up to its name and beyond. It shimmered as brightly as the moon overhead, which seemed to wander the same path as the island, drifting away from the sun while keeping it within sight. As Grizk and his crew drove along the road in search of his father, they spotted large bonfires flickering in the distance. He pondered whether these flames were ignited by his father or if the locals had managed to gather them for warmth. Before long, he would discover the truth as he approached his father and cousin Throk. He would soon discover, as he drew closer to his family. The locals had truly gathered them for warmth and survival.
As they came to a gradual halt, the three of them climbed out of the buggy, and Grizk walked over to Zee. Next to his father, he inquired about the fires and if any survivors had been located. Big Zee was pleased to share that several survivors had indeed been located, and they had come together to keep warm by building the fires. It appeared that all the meditation and self-care had granted them a clarity and self-awareness that had ultimately saved their lives. Zee worried they were delving into a new ice age, but in reality, the temperature drop was merely surprising—not particularly alarming—given their usual way of life. This indicated that they would need to adapt once more, just as they had done when they first became hybrids. The residents of Wadi Rum were already ahead of the game. Fearing that the hoar frost from the recent temperature drop might disrupt their electricity supply, they took proactive measures to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
"I had a conversation with Mayor Briven of the town, who revealed that they received a vision from a local guru about the impending tragedy a week prior. They believe they have identified the exact cause and what is to come, based on the vision, but they are in search of a second witness to validate their claims to be safe," Zee explained.
Grizk couldn't understand why they hadn't at least shared their beliefs if they genuinely had faith in the vision. It had apparently come to fruition, yet they still sought a witness to validate it. He found their reasoning unrealistic. If they simply looked around, they could easily confirm the reality of the situation for themselves.
"So, who or what did they say was the cause behind this Chaos" asked Grizk?
Zee turned to look at his son, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Brace yourself," he said, "this isn't what anyone would anticipate."