Read Atlantis: Devil's Sea for Free Online

in it. No one knows exactly what it is, but it is deadly to every living thing. At rare times, it appears and tries to expand to cover the world. Now is one of those times.”
    Kaia’s mind brought back the image of her mother she had picked up from the oracle. She heard the oracle’s words, but from a distance. All her life she had wondered who her mother was and where she was. To be told she was dead and the oracle was her grandmother overwhelmed her.
    “Pay attention!” The oracle’s words were accompanied by a sharp mental slap, wiping away the image and bringing Kaia back to the here and now. She was tempted to strike back in the same way, but a lifetime of training held her back.
    “The Shadow,” the oracle repeated. “It manifests itself in two ways. One is inside the Earth. There is nothing we can do about it in the Earth where it brings forth fire and earthquakes. But the Shadow that comes on the planet’s surface in the form of what we call a gate that we can see, that we can fight. It appears as a darkness on the surface of the planet. Those who go into it don’t come back out.
    “We have not seen a gate since Thera was destroyed. From Thera we went to Troy. The Helen of whom stories are told was of our line. After Troy was destroyed, we scattered once more, seeking sanctuary as oracles and priestesses. Always waiting, listening, and watching. And now the Shadow is coming once more. A gate has appeared.”
    “Where?”
“To the north, beyond the borders of even the Romans. But the Earth is troubled in many places, and all will be affected.”
    “What do you want me to do?”
    “You were told to be prepared for a mission, and now that time is here. But you have no idea of the scope and importance of what you must do. There is a shield that can stop the Shadow and close the gate. You are one part of the Shield.”
    “How?”
    “I cannot tell you that. The knowledge has been lost, but I know that you will find someone on your journey who can tell you. I also know that you need more than you have.” The oracle closed her eyes, and her voice changed. Kaia knew she was hearing the voice of one who had had a vision. She had had many herself, some while sleeping, some while awake.
    “I see a staff with a blade on one end and a seven-headed snake on the other. Such a snake is called a Naga. You must find the Naga staff, as it is part of the Shield and it is also the only weapon useful against the emissaries of the Shadow. They are creatures who I have seen in visions passed down to me. With hard white skin and red eyes. They are called Valkyries. They can travel out of the gate for a limited amount of time.
    “I have seen a man. A killer. He was a soldier but is no longer. You will need his help and military force to get to the gate and enter it.
    “Some of the visions are from now, some are from the past through the bloodline.” The oracle paused, then continued, “But some are from times to come.
    “You must go to Rome. Tell the emperor of the threat.” The oracle reached into her robe and pulled out a ring. “Given to my grandmother long ago. It will gain you an audience with the Emperor. Convincing him of the danger, that is another matter. You must keep your eyes open for signs. You have more power than you know. You would have taken my place if the Shadow had not come.”
    “My mother--”Kaia began.
    “Yes?”
    “Where is she buried?”
    “In the sacred grove.”
    “I wish to see her grave before I leave.”
    *****
    Steel on steel, the sound of mortal combat echoed off the stonewalls of the arena, rising above the screams of the bloodthirsty crowd. Forty thousand people lined the stands of Rome’s amphitheater, and they were on their feet, as the highlight of the first day of the games was under way, a fight to the death between local favorite Falco and four retiarii.
    Falco was a mymillo , the most heavily armed type of gladiator, the name coming from the fish symbol on his helmet. He