Third Person POV
Rocks were inscribed with Atlantean which enveloped a water pond but the main attraction was the hovering faces of stone that circled counterclockwise and emitted a blue glow from their eyes.
"Jackpot," Rourke grinned, placing a matchstick between his curled lips.
"The kings of our past," Kida gasped, tears rolling down her cheeks. She dropped to her knees out of respect and muttered a sort of prayer.
"Mads, Thatch, tell her to wrap it up," Rourke rolled his eyes, "we got a schedule to meet. Milo sat down to speak with Kida. "Um, Kida..we're sorry," said Milo. Rourke kicked a pebble into the water as he walked ahead of the other members to the pond's edge.
Soothing blue turned to fiery red in an instant. Deep, murmuring voices reverberated from the stone faces along with strobe lights. Rourke stared unimpressed. "Come on, let's get this over with. I don't like this place," said Helga. "All right Thatch, what's next?" Rourke turned to the linguist.
Milo placed his fingers on his temple. "Okay, there's a giant crystal hovering 150 feet above our heads over a bottomless pit of water. Doesn't anything surprise you?"
"The only thing that surprises me..."
Kida's behaviour was first noticed by Madeleine. Kida's breathing became more rapid as her necklace floated up by itself, and she curiously observed. "Mahtim," Kida spoke. The pupils of her eyes turned ice blue and she stepped forward in a trance-like state.
"Kida?" Madeleine tapped her shoulder. No response. "Kida," she repeated, gently shaking the Atlantean who continued to walk toward the water's edge as a blue beam radiated upon her.
"That thing's not on the truck yet.
Now move it!" Rourke scolded. "I don't know how to move it. I don't even know what's holding it up there," responded Milo. The others
"Talk to me Thatch, tell me what's happening." Rourke commanded. "I, I don't know! All it says here, is that the crystal is alive, somehow and it... I don't know how to explain it. It's their deity. It's their power source." Milo stammered.
"Speak English, professor."
"They're part of it. It's a part of them. I'm doing the best I can here!"
"Well do better."
"Oh, I know. Why don't you translate and I'll wave the gun around?" Milo snapped, frantically waving his hand. (My favorite Milo line everyone.)
Kida, who was as still as a statue, was the sole focus of the younger Thatch sibling. "Kida if it's not too much trouble, say something," she urged. She tried to reach out to her friend, but as soon as her fingers touched Kida's icy skin, she drew back sharply.
Kida began speaking in Atlantean which sounded as if it was being spoken through a megaphone. Her body turned around to face the others. "All will be well, Milo and Madeleine Thatch. Be not afraid."
"What did she say?" Rourke demanded. "I don't know. I didn't catch it," Milo lied. Kida retreated. With slow, cautious advances, the Atlantean walked on water, much to everyone's shock. " Kida, wait!" Madeleine attempted to catch yet Rourke seized her by the neck.
"Goodness gracious. You remain here," he yelled. Madeleine watched helplessly as Kida moved toward the center. The stone faces split violently, opening like petals on a flower. Milo's jaw dropped open.
The beam of light zeroed in on Kida.
She was suddenly lifted into the air like an angel. Her hair streamed every which way smoothly with her head shifted back. Kida was lifted up into the blue sphere of light, her entire body was inundated.
She was cocooned as the stone figures spun around her so quickly it was almost a blur. As the crystal's energy zapped through Kida, her body became translucent, and she was finally lowered to the ground.
Milo attempted to step forward.
"Hold your horses, lover boy,"
Rourke interjected. "Kida?" she opened her eyes when she heard Milo call her name out. Kida walked on water and as she did, the stone countenances fell individually, colliding with the lake.
A power shield protected Kida from harm. Rourke reached out to touch the princess as she strode toward the crew. "No, don't. Don't touch her, Milo said.