The Children of the Law of One

.......a tale from legendary Atlantis

Many stories about Atlantis have been shared for many centuries by many different cultures. It was believed to be a beautiful place and most of its inhabitants were very spiritual individuals who loved and respected each other. With the passing of time the leaders divided into two groups, the Children of the Law of One and the Sons of Belial. The Children of the Law of One were also known as the Sons of Light while the Sons of Belial became known as the Sons of Darkness.

When Atlantis subsided into the ocean depths, as the legend unfolds, the people who managed to survive fled to many islands in the Atlantic, especially those along the Caribbean and some even found their way to Egypt.

The Sons of Belial became selfish individuals who focussed all their attention upon feeding their appetites and desires. They had little or no respect for others and they filled their thoughts with wanting…wanting many things believing the more they acquired the happier they would become.

The Children of the Law of One believed differently and they focussed their thoughts upon love and acquiring spiritual knowledge. They followed the Golden Rule:

do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

They appreciated that whatever they did to others would happen to them as a consequence. (The Golden Rule is honoured by all religions still today.)

But as a result of the cataclysmic events that happened so many thousands of years ago many of the Children of the Law of One and the Sons of Belial perished. Their descendants who managed to survive are unaware of the life in Atlantis. Many generations have passed and the true story has faded over time.

But it is said that in this lifetime the descendants of the Children of the Law of One will continue their good works while the Sons of Belial will have an opportunity to redeem themselves. By working together all the children will make this world a better place.

It is also has been written that if the creases in the palm of your hand form an M then you are a descendant of the Children of the Law of One but if the creases create an S or C then you are descendant of the Sons of Belial.

Reference: Lemuria and Atlantis: studying the past to survive the future by Shirley Andrews

(Llewellyn Publications St Paul Minnesota 2005)

Discussion

What would have been the behaviours of the Children of the Law of One?

• shared all their property

• acted compassionately towards each other

• included everyone

• solved issues nonviolently

• always sought win-win

• were friendly

• treated each other with respect

• believed everyone was part of the same ONENESS

• ……………………………………………………………

• ……………………………………………………………

• ……………………………………………………………

What would have been the behaviours of the Children of Belial?

• were fearful and unable to trust one another

• were selfish

• had many possessions

• only thought of themselves

• ……………………………………………………………

• ……………………………………………………………

• ……………………………………………………………

When you look at the palm of your hand you will notice you have an M on it. The reality is we all have Ms...................and we are all descendants of the Children of the Law of One.

Task 1: Create a story that is either set in Atlantis or in today’s time. The story needs to mention the two groups of children and explore how they operate together to transform our world to make it better place. The story should have no violence.......…and of course have a happy ending.

Task 2: On a piece of A3 design the city that may have been Atlantis. Remember to draw a ruler width border around the edge of the paper. Try and include details in the picture that reveal you have thought about the following issues:

• Did the Atlanteans live in houses or communal centres?

• Were the cities underground, under the sea or on islands on the surface?

• What did the buildings look like? What were they made of?

• How did they deal with the daily problems associated with volcanic explosions or earth movements?

• Were there streets with shops and restaurants? What may have the people done for entertainment?

• What foods may they have eaten?

•  What work did people do?

• What did they possibly wear?

• What was the climate like?

• Did the children go to school?

• What vehicles were used for transportation? Did children operate them?

• Were there domesticated animals in the city?

• How was the city protected?

• What energy sources were used?

Once you have completed designing using a pencil and have lots of detail, please PAINT using water colours. Once the painting is dry you can outline details with black pen. Please take your time and remember this will accompany your Atlantis story when both are mounted. You’ll have the rest of this week to work on this picture.

 Atlantis by © Helena aged 11

Over 11,000 years ago there was a beautiful island called Atlantis. It was an island of paradise, an island of peace and joy. It was full of beautiful vegetation and creatures. The people knew none of hate, sorrow or death. You could live forever in peace and happiness. All the people on the island lived by the rule,

 “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

The food was plentiful as the land was fertile, great for farming and creatures of all kinds roamed the lands.

For many generations the people of Atlantis lived simple happy lives. All was well and nothing seemed to go wrong, until the island had unexpected visitors, explorers from another land. Slowly greed and power started to corrupt them. The lives of the people and children were changing. Not all, though, some were still the same. These people were named the Children of One and the rest called the Sons of Belial.

Tragically, in one great surge of water, it was gone. It had sunk as the only thing that kept the island afloat were the light hearts of the people of Atlantis. These hearts were filled with love and compassion. These hearts never experienced hate or guilt. These hearts were hearts of pure Atlanteans.

When the island went down strangely the people went down with it in some kind of airlock, so they were now living in an underwater world. Their memory, though, did not come down; they could not read their text or remember their history.

After the shock of the event most people kept to themselves for a while and tried to sort out a few issues within their own families. Over the land was a blanket of guilt; guilt that made their hearts sink to their toes.

Many years later the Atlanteans decided that they wanted to see the golden sunlight without having to squint looking up through the water. They wanted to be up on the top of the water instead of down below in the darkness. So the sunken island people had a meeting; a meeting to discuss why they sunk and how to remove the horrible burden that smothered the land.

Many people had viewpoints; some thought that the gods decided to sink them because they needed to punish them. Others thought that it was a reward because they thought all people from all the land had suffered a terrible tidal wave and they were the only ones to stay in an airlock. No outcome could be reached, the question was not answered, until a small girl gave them an idea. She asked what Atlantis had been like before this had all happened. She asked whether it was happy and without sorrow, guilt or death. “Was the sun there always shining on your back and the wind blowing on your face?” she pleaded for answer. 

Suddenly the ruler said:

“This girl has a gift, she is the chosen one, the one chosen by the god of all gods: “the girl of remembrance”. This small child holds the answer. She can remember what life in Atlantis was

like before the horrible day we were sunk and our memories were lost. Amazingly, the girl wasn’t even there when it happened. You never know, but she even may know why we sunk and how we can come back up again. Meeting dismissed!” he ordered and the ruler asked the child and her mother into his room.

“Firstly,” said the ruler, “what is this wonderful saviour’s name?” The girl’s mother answered quietly:

“I have named my child Eleni.”

“Wonderful,” replied the ruler, “just wonderful! Now I would like you to answer a few questions about this land which you, my dear, are most probably going to save.”

So Eleni continued to tell the ruler all about how she came across the knowledge of ‘so called’ happiness and peace, a world without violence or fear, a world of lightness instead of darkness, a world without power and greed. Finally, what the ruler was really interested in hearing, was the knowledge about how Atlantis had sunk and how she believed it would rise again into the sunlight.

Eleni’s believed the island before had been wonderful and no-one had anything to worry about. This meant that all the good things kept it afloat and all the bad things sunk it. Before the island sank all Atlanteans’ hearts were light and happy. But someone came to the island and brought change. Unhappiness spread like a virus and there was much hate and guilt that made Atlantis sink. The only way to float back up to the surface was to make Atlantean hearts light and happy again.

The ruler went to his private quarters to think over the girl’s ideas. The action plan was prepared but unfortunately the Atlanteans cannot return to the surface. The ruler and his people remain there, deep below the surface, trapped in their airlock, even today patiently waiting for the world to become a better place so that Atlantis can rise again.

So, in order to fulfil the islanders’ wishes and return Atlantis all we who live on the surface need to all do our part. We did to lift guilt and hatred out of our hearts and remove the powerful ones who destroy our peace and make the world a better place. 

 Atlantis by © Andrew aged 12

Chapter One: Andro’s Castle

A soft coo filled the morning air. A flame flickered in mid air and moved towards the open window but vanished as a boy called Andro quickly squashed it with his hand. His other hand was stroking his phoenix Flare which was perched on a rack next to his hammock. This boy, Andro was not your normal twelve-year-old boy. One, he lived in a fantasy world called Wizaro that was made entirely from left over data from Earth or ‘Eath’ as Wizaroians know it. Two, he was a sage with power over the element of flame and three; he was a dragonoid (half human half dragon). Andro was the owner of a gigantic, magical castle, that resided on the west half of Arch Island.

Andro swung himself out of his hammock and made his way through the castle to the kitchen. He quickly had a bite to eat and began to clean the castle (using magic of course). Fifteen minutes later Andro had just finished his cleaning and sat down in his favourite armchair to sip a cup of herbal tea. Flare was nibbling a molten chip cookie, when a scroll floated in and landed on Andro’s lap. He quickly opened it and found a message from his best friend Wereoasis, who was the Sage of air and time. Wereoasis lived in Mytholia Woods, which was the closest landmark to the island of Atlantis. 

Andro sighed. He knew he had forgotten something but was not sure what it was. He walked over to his bookcase to find any reference books on Atlantis. Andro pulled one out and looked at the cover: “The Children of the Law of One and the Children of Belial”. Andro had read it once before. It was a make believe story about two Atlantis tribes becoming friends and making the world a better place. Andro put it back on the shelf and pulled out another.

“Ah! Here it is!” exclaimed Andro, causing Flare to fall off the chair in surprise.

Chapter Two: Tale of Atlantis

Andro carried the book to his chair and opened it as he sat down.

 The Tale of Atlantis

One thousand years ago on a strange planet called ‘Eath’ was an island called Atlantis. It was the last place on Earth where magic still existed for the other civilizations had given up their magic in exchange for war. There are certain rules for magic that do not allow for magic to be used for war, so their privileges were removed. Atlantis, however, was slowly losing its magic because of its five warlords. Their names were Venus, Mars, Pluto, Neptune and Earth. Using black magic they created a powerful army of the undead. This army enslaved the Greek, Egyptian and Roman civilizations. The Atlanteans and their king, Poseidon created a powerful magical crystal that melted away the undead army and locked the warlords in a magical tomb. The warlords cast a final spell of eternal life upon themselves. This forbidden spell shook the entire island sending shock waves in every direction. The crystal was destroyed and drained every inch of the remaining magic on ‘Earth’. This silenced the animals and destroyed the Gods and let loose the demons of the Underworld. Tsunamis flooded ‘Eath’ and earthquakes flattened the Mountain of the Gods. Atlantis absorbed the magic and created a vortex that then began to absorb ‘Earth’. First the uni horns, elves, dwarves, fairies, dragons and serpents, then finally as the vortex faded from existence, it took its final prize, Atlantis. It is said that Wizaro was created during the following three hundred years as its creatures came through the vortex first, humans appeared and Atlantis finally remerged. Only a few now know the location of the Warlord’s prison.

Andro finished the book and sighed. He knew that whatever happened it would not be good, so he quickly put the book in its shelf and grabbed a backpack of supplies. After one final look back at his castle, he went to saddle up Lava.

Chapter Three: Pearl Harbour

Lava is a Ruby Lupian. A lupian is a dog like creature that is made out of a type of gem. Lava is very loyal to Andro who found him abandoned as a baby almost frozen to death twenty years ago. Andro placed a saddle on Lava’s back as it asked in a low, growly voice:

“Where are we off to today, Andro?”

“We need to help at the Atlantis Vortex Ceremony,” replied Andro getting onto his back.

“How nice master, but we have a long journey ahead of us,” said Lava. “This also means I’ll get to see Wave again!”

“You have the hots for her don’t you” said Andro slyly.

“I… I do not!” stammered Lava his whole body changing from dark red to a pale pink.

“Whatever!” replied Andro hiding a laugh.

Lava galloped along the ground towards Andro’s first stop Pearl Harbour pausing occasionally to drink hot water from Andro’s flask. After a day or two they finally reached Pearl Harbour. Pearl Harbour was a small fishing town that supplied Wizaro Town, the capital of Wizaro with its fresh fish and salt. Andro led Lava through the town till they got to the harbour. There, tied up to a pole was a medium sized red boat with a flock of phoenixes perched on the mast. Andro and Lava got on and quickly shooed away the Phoenix. From there, Andro set sail for Atlantis main capital known as Pultmire. Andro and Lava arrived in Pultmire the following evening, before the ceremony and were both very glad to get off. Lava Lupians become seasick very easily and Andro got very sore ears from wearing the uncomfortable earmuffs, that he needed to wear to block out the sound of the vomiting. As Andro got off Wereoasis appeared out of a gust of wind and Wave, Poseidon’s Sapphire Lupe leapt out of the water to greet them. Andro and Wereoasis walked off together talking and left Lava and Wave together to reacquaint themselves.

“How are you?” asked Wereoasis.

“Good thanks!” replied Andro, “and yourself?”

“Fine!” replied Wereoasis.

“Anything happened yet?” asked Andro.

“Not yet!” replied Wereoasis, “but Raid got here yesterday.”

“Okay!” yawned Andro. “I need to rest but I’ll talk with you again tomorrow!”

“Fine,” was the response Wereoasis gave before fading away.

     Chapter Four: The Vortex Ceremony

The next day at twelve pm sharp, the ceremony began. All fifty of the Atlanteans lined up for the ceremony, all with their tributes to the Vortex God, who appeared to them every ten years. However, instead of the vortex materialising, something strange happened. A tree two hundred metres away from the altar moaned in pain, splitting open from the centre as a temple like building emerged from its centre. A high-pitched screeching sound filled the air, coming straight from the strange new building. Andro, Raid and ten Atlantean soldiers went into the building to see what was happening. As they disappeared inside the building, everyone waited in fear and anticipation. Suddenly it erupted into flames. As people gasped in horror, Andro, Raid and the soldiers burst out of the flames, running as fast as they could towards the crowd. They reached the crowd, panting and gasping for breath. Behind them, the Vortex God burst out of the altar. The town’s people gave their gifts to the God as he bellowed at them,

“With my power I give you my strongest oath that I will protect Atlantis whenever you call upon me to help and guide you. I also give my thanks to Andro, Raid and your soldiers for freeing me from the War Lords.” The Vortex God then bowed and vanished. As everyone walked off in the direction of the celebratory party, Andro and Raid smiled at each other and walked off arm in arm, laughing and patting each other on the back.

  Atlantis by © Padraig aged 11

Chapter One: Atlantis

Once, on the ocean, there was a legendary continent, that existed long before the Egyptians. The Atlanteans, who had superior technology compared to the other groups at the time, were becoming arrogant and warlike, and the gods decided to open their wrath upon the empire, using a huge wave, so all the island was submerged without a trace. A lot of the technology was destroyed, and many expeditions to find it had failed so far, until a young professor turned up.

Chapter Two: Marco Handley

In the National geographical institute in London, in the year 1921, the young professor, called Marco Handley, quickly straightened his jacket before entering the amphitheatre, and stepping the podium before starting his speech.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I will now wish to have your full attention.” The crowd quietened, all eyes fixed on the young man. ”I today have a speech about a mystery, that may be a myth or a fact. The legendary continent of Atlantis. As you all know, Atlantis was said to have sunk beneath the ocean, as told by Plato, Greek Historian. This place was said to have civilisation long before the Egyptians, and was meant to have split into two groups of followers with different beliefs: The Children of the Law of One, and the Sons of Belial. The Children of the Law of One seemed to believe in some thing sort of like the First Commandment, ‘do unto others as you wish for them to do unto you.’” The professor cleared his throat. ”I wish to lead an expedition to find this amazing place, the lost island of Atlantis.” Many gasps were heard in the crowd. “I know that you all think it is unbelievable, but Atlantis may be closer than you think. Many ideas are that it may be in the Mediterranean Sea, or near Iceland. I might lead an expedition to find this sunken island. Thank you, audience.” Wild applause rippled throughout the hall.

Chapter Three: Captain Solomon

Marco Handley hurriedly drove to the train station to catch the train to Southampton, so he could take a submarine to the Pillars of Hercules. He would also find a crew to man the expedition. As the train puffed and steamed along the old line, he wondered what sort of adventure he would encounter now.

When the train screeched and whined into the station, he met the funder of the expedition, Professor Harold Calculus, and he had found a great crew, who would man the submarine. The captain of the crew was called Captain Solomon, and he was a tall, oblong-headed figure with brownish hair and a picturesque image of a sailor. When they met, he seemed friendly, but had the potential to wreck the voyage. When they left to the Mediterranean Mouth, he had met all of the crew- a mechanic, an explosive expert, a doctor and a translator. All of them would be used in the launching of the sub, so the crew would be well suited for the expedition. As the submarine launched through the Pillars of Hercules, Marco thought that there may not be a lost city, but he would soon find out.

Chapter Four: The Passage

As the submarine sped along the Mediterranean seabed, Marco consulted a map by Plato, saying that the submerged island was only accessible by a thin passage, almost where they were now. The submarine megaphones suddenly called for him to tell them the way, so he went to the bridge, and explained that the only way to the island was in the passage, and soon, the submarine began its rapid descent into the depths. Quickly they came to a large cavern, that was half full of water, and led onto a ramp, that was their best route to the island. As they landed, they all got off the sub, and after a few days walk, they reached a volcano, and got out of the crater, and got the shock of their lives.

Chapter Five: The Lost City

As the crew stared on at the city that looked as if it had been carved out of a marble mountain. The place was intact, and there was a large palace rising up from the dwelling area of the city, and the technology was astonishing. There were monorails, small jets and people on rocket boots, flying around rather than walking. The streets were lined with shops and stalls, all bunched up, and there were restaurants and cafes. There were also many domestic animals roaming, some that no one had ever seen before. When they reached the edge of the cliff, a person came to greet them. He was a tall, thin man with a moustache, and talked to them in a very strange language, a dialect sort of between Latin, Chinese and Greek. The translator said that the man wanted to know if the creases on their hand made an ‘M’ shape. All the crew looked and saw that they all had the creases, so they proceeded into the city. The man led them to a monorail station and signalled for them to wait. After twenty seconds, a friction-powered monorail came into the station, and they got in. After a while, they got to the palace that was the heart of the city, the heart of Atlantis.

 Chapter Six: The Palace

As the explorers proceeded, they saw that there were guards with spears standing at the gate, and as they passed many other spots, they saw more guards. At last they got to a large room with soft music protruding from unseen things. It was strung with flowers, and hanging from the roof were birdcages, and inside were exotic and colourful birds of many types. At the far wall, there was a man who had hardly any colour in his eyes, and was probably blind, as if all his hope had drained from long ago. There were guards all around the room, and they were led to the man, who looked like the leader. At last he spoke. “I see you have brought some outsiders to see me.” The old man coughed, and turned to them, and spoke again. “You have found Atlantis, but we do not have intruders in this city. You are not welcome, but I will allow you to stay, because I am in a generous mood. But you were lucky. I am feeling generous only because you all carry the sacred ‘M’. You must promise that you will not tell anyone about Atlantis, and the whereabouts. You may have a few rooms near the palace, but any evil acts and you must leave immediately! Understand?” The man went quiet, and then spoke. ”You may leave now. You can also be useful by telling me if the Sons of Belial are stirring trouble, because they will hope you help them. You are dismissed.” As they walked away, the man helped them on the monorail to their rooms, and then left them there.

 Chapter Seven: Betrayal

Marco and the crew retreated to their rooms for the night, all except the captain, who stayed awake on the armchair. In the morning, they will get a shock, he thought. But when he tried to escape, he slammed the automatic door shut, and they all woke up and ran outside. While all this was happening, a dog was sniffing at some food, and it ran past a shovel, that fell on a rake standing up near the stairs of the monorail station, and lay there threatening to pop into someone’s’ face that walked by.

“What are you trying to run away for?” Marco asked the captain.

“To tell all the world about this place! I’m going to invade and take the crystal to a museum someplace,” the villain laughed, “and there isn’t a thing you an do to stop me!” He laughed again, and when all seemed hopeless, he stood on the rake and knocked himself senseless.

“Wow, that was fortunate!” said the explosive expert. ”He almost took the ship without us! But a rake saved the day,” he pointed out, patting the dog, that helped with the rake. “We’d better get him to the boat and lock him somewhere, to get rid of him.”

Chapter Eight: The Farewell

The travellers were thanked, and the dog got an extra juicy bone, plus was to return to the mainland. The Atlanteans were so afraid of humans that they put a spell on the travellers so they could not remember anything that happened to them through the ordeal. Then they were taken to the submarine to return to Europe, and home. Many Atlanteans lined the shores, and all Sons of Belial who handed out leaflets were mauled by the crowd.

When the submarine was sighted at South Hampton, there was a local crush to welcome the explorers home. When asked of their experiences, they all said:

“We cannot remember,” and walked off to find something to do. This gave them the name ‘Founders of Atlantis’.

The End

   Finding Atlantis by © Caitlyn aged 11

Jess was bored out of her mind and it was getting worse. This holiday was the worst thing that had ever happened to her. When her mum had told her about this holiday she thought it would be by palm trees and relaxing on the sunny beach sorta’ thing. But no it just had to be a sightseeing trip to Florida now didn’t it! Jess’ mum called for her to come and see something. Walking very slowly she dawdled over to where her mum was. Her mother pointed at the sea and moved her finger in the shape of a triangle. “That’s where the Bermuda triangle begins, and that’s…” she said pointing up at the sky, “where the Bermuda Triangle is supposed to end. It’s crazy but amazing… they actually say it’s a portal to Atlantis,” she whispered slowly. Jess looked up at her mum and saw that she had a weird look all over her face that said to passers by that her mum was a mental case. Jess shook her a little bit and her mother snapped back into reality.

“Mum, you do realise that on this holiday I wanted to escape from school, not learn even more. My brain is going to burst if I learn anything else. Then again,” she mumbled “that’s probably a good thing.”

“Don’t be silly honey! You love school!” said her mum, tilting her chin so that she could look into her eyes.

“That may be so but I’m on holiday. I’m escaping school,” said Jess in a tone that told her mom that the conversation was over. Her mum sighed and walked off. Then Jess, glimpsing a rowboat on the water, had an idea. She glanced at her parents who were arguing over souvenirs. Jess jumped in the boat and rowed over to the spot her mum minutes before had shown her. The boat bobbed up and down on the soft waves and Jess stared over the edge of the boat wondering about what mysteries the depths of the water could hold. Then suddenly Jess saw a glimpse of an object carved in the shape of an A, or at least, she thought she did. She edged over to the side of the boat and peered into the water. Seeing nothing she lent over further and further until suddenly she fell headfirst into the icy depths of the ocean. She plunged downwards into complete blackness. Then just as Jess was about to pass out, she surfaced. She coughed up water viciously and then opened her eyes. Just as she was about to scream out for help she realised something: the air was warmer here than before, and wasn’t there supposed to be clumps of seaweed floating around?? Getting slightly spooked now, Jess turned around for the boat and this time she did scream when she saw two huge electric blue eyes right in front of her. She tried to kick her legs so that she could get away, but this only resulted in her whacking both feet on the bottom of the small lagoon she was in. Humiliated, she realised that she would have been standing the whole time if she had not been admiring the water with no seaweed on it. She faced the eyes again and saw the person to whom they belonged. They belonged to a girl about her age who was very beautiful and looked very determined. Jess grew scared again. The girl beckoned for her to come out of the water. Jess was scared out of her mind by now, and was trying to make decisions that might help her keep her life. So she waded through the water until she reached the girl, who held up a hand to stop her and then gestured showing her to hold out her hand to the girl. She did as she was told and lay it on the girl’s palm. The girl studied it and then took out a small jar of paint. She dipped her finger gracefully in it and then drew a symbol on her hand along the creases on her palm. She finished and let go of Jess’ hand. Jess looked at it and saw that it formed an M along the tiny creases on her palm. Very confused now, she looked up at the girl, who was trying to get her attention. She pointed at herself and said:

“Kinashakal!” Jess pointed at herself and said:

“Jessica!” Kinashakal frowned and tried to speak.

“Jescia!” she said.

“No!” said Jess, “Jess-i-ca!”

“Je-ssi-ca!” said Kinashakal. Jess nodded and then looked at Kinashakal for further instructions. Kinashakal gestured for Jess to follow her and then she ran off. Jess scrambled after her and ran flat out to catch up to her. When she did catch up she saw that Kinashakal had stopped. She slowed down and then looked at where Kinashakal was looking. What she saw took her breath away.

“My mother was right,” she whispered as she looked up at the lost empire, Atlantis. There were waterfalls everywhere and pouring from them was sparkling blue water and there were people rushing back and forth, from homes to markets. Then suddenly Kinashakal whispered:

“Home…!” Jess looked at her in obvious surprise and asked:

“Do you speak English??”

“Yes!” said Kinashakal. “For very long time. Not so good though. Father better.” Jess looked at her in wonder as she was so exotic but yet, so peaceful. Yes, that would be what she would like to live like. She looked back at Atlantis and felt the same shock as she had felt when she first saw it. She couldn’t help but take in its beauty. It was just so magnificent. Kinashakal walked across a small bridge to Atlantis and Jess automatically followed her. Kinashakal lead the way to her home, which was alongside one of the many waterfalls covering the huge city. She went inside and saw Kinashakal speak to some people who must have been her parents. She spoke quickly and fluently in a language she could not understand and then suddenly grabbed Jess’ hand and showed it to her parents. They immediately stopped talking and nodded, and then Kinashakal’s mother showed her a room that was completely empty except for a bed. Then she laid out some dry clothes that would ensure that she would fit in with the exotic theme of clothing here. She left the room and Jess changed into the clothes, which were surprisingly comfortable. She went into the first room she had entered. Kinashakal’s father stepped forward and said:

“Welcome to our home, Atlantis. I must say, it’s been a long time since we have had someone visit Atlantis. You are foreign to us so it is a pleasure for you to be staying with us. So that you don’t get into trouble for being here without telling the Emperor I will take you to see him straight away. Please bear with him as he is getting old but I’m sure he will understand. Ever since he lost his daughter he hasn’t been the same.” He sighed and then led her out of the house. Jess followed him around the crowded streets and towards a remarkable sight that sat smack bang right in the middle of the city. This had to be the palace. Kinashakal’s father spoke to a man who was standing in front of the door. The man glanced at Jess once or twice but said nothing. When Jess was going through the door she was stopped and the man grabbed her hand and looked at it. Then he let it fall to her side and stepped back. Slightly confused, Jess walked on towards Kinashakal’s father and then saw that he was kneeling. She walked up to him and then looked up at who must be the Emperor. She, too, knelt until the Emperor’s voice startled her. He croaked:

“Who do you bring to me this day Shaikalban?”

“A foreigner named Jessica,” Shaikalban said.

“Uh, Jessica Laiklan,” Jess put in.

“And why are you here?” Shaikalban turned to Jess.

“It was an accident,” said Jess timidly.

“Accident?” said the Emperor.

“No one comes to Atlantis by accident. The Children of the Law of One do not let people into Atlantis by accident.”

“I fell out of my boat and surfaced the water here,” said Jess.

“Very well,” said the Emperor.

“You may stay, but when the time is right you will leave. Be always prepared for that moment, and do not, I repeat, do not go to anyone with a red mark on their forehead. If things were my way around here I would have them banished, but the Children of the Law of One want The Sons of Belial to stay so we must abide by that law.” He paused and then asked:

“What was your full name again?”

“Jessica Laiklan!” His eyes widened and then got up and rushed off to one of the many chambers in the huge palace he called his home. Shaikalban helped Jess up and led her back to his home. When they got there, there was a delicious aroma that smelt like fish. Jess sat down at their table and began to eat the dish placed before her. When she was finished Shaikalban explained to her.

“If you did not know already, The Children of the Law of One are the people who saved this city and the ones who believe that we are all equal beings. They keep us safe and protect us from experiencing the same destruction that happened to us so many years ago. The Sons of Belial are the greedy and nasty Atlanteans who happen to be the ones who the Emperor mentioned have a red mark on their forehead. They were also the cause of the city’s near downfall. That is why if you have an M along the creases on your hand you will be accepted in this city and considered one of The Children of the Law of One. On the other hand if you have an S or a C along the creases of your hand you are considered not worthy of our people’s trust and also considered to be one of the Sons of Belial.” Jess nodded showing her understanding.  

“But you must go to bed now,” and he continued, “Kinashakal will go with you. Good night!” Jess hopped into bed and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

The next morning Jess was greeted by Shaikalban who told her that the Emperor wanted to see her as soon as possible.

“Did he come over this morning?” asked Jess.

“Oh no he spoke to me last night!”

“Oh… on the phone you mean!”

“Phone? What is a phone? Ne… never mind!” He looked confused now. “I think you mean minalk, our ancient form of telepathy,” he continued. “So if you come with me now he may not be in such a bad mood when we get there.” Minutes later they were, once again, inside the palace. The Emperor looked up and saw Jess. Then he stood up and told Shaikalban to wait outside. He turned to Jess and stared at her. Then he whispered:

“Yes, yes, her eyes, and she looks like her too!” He looked Jess in the eyes and said, “Please tell me what your mother’s name is.”

“Epiphany Laiklan!” said Jess. “Why?” He answered:

“Oh great gods, it is true. Jessica Laiklan, your mother is my daughter, which makes you, my dear, my granddaughter!” Jess stood frozen and fixed to the spot with a shocked look on her face. She then said:

“But, Mum said that my grandparents died before I was born.”

“To her it must have felt like it, but alas I am still here. Though my dear wife, also named Epiphany, did die last year.” Then suddenly, the door crashed open and Epiphany Laiklan walked in. She ran over to Jess and hugged her tightly. Then she looked up at her father and asked:

“What nonsense have you crammed into my daughter’s head father? She is too young to know the ways of our people, you know that!”

“That may be so, but she deserves to know the truth after your constant years of lying to her.”

“….Not lying, I was protecting her!”

“From what?” boomed the Emperor.

“The same thing that happened to me”

“What happened mum?” said Jess.

“Father thought I had an S along the lines on my hand and therefore I was banished by him, as there can be no descendents of the Sons of Belial in the Emperor’s family. But as I have figured out, there is an M on my hand. So all of this time we could have lived here.”

“Epiphany, show me,” said the Emperor. Epiphany raised her hand in front of her father’s face and said nothing. Then the Emperor looked at Jess and Epiphany and said:

“I realise now I was a fool, and I deeply regret it.” Then he said, “But I think now is the time for you to go.”

“No!” cried Jess. “I want to stay here with mum and dad!”

“Father, it is her home, our home. Please, we belong here!”

“You have started your life in the world above, that is your home now,” said the Emperor.

“Father, we will stay here. We will move here, and we will, we will stay,” said Epiphany firmly.

“Epiphany, please…!”

“No father, we are staying. I am going to fetch Darren. At least he understands me, more than you do, and he is from the world above.” Then she turned on her heel and left. Jess looked up at her grandfather and saw his face was mixed with emotions. He wanted her to come so badly, but what would the Children of the Law of One say? He would have to let fate decide.

Five minutes later Jess’ parents walked into the castle. Darren looking, for the first time in his life, slightly scared at the expression on his wife’s face. Epiphany looked at her father and said:

“This is your family, and you are banishing us?”

“Not banishing, the Children of the Law of One will still think you have an S on your hand, they will not resort to violence, but if they touch you, you will be transported to the world above and the portal will not open for you again.”

“What if they couldn’t find us?” said Jess.

“They can find anyone,” said the Emperor.

“Well, what if they saw mum’s hand. We could paint her hand like Kinashakal did to mine. If the Law of One saw her hand before they could touch her then we could stay.” The Emperor went into a room that was connected to a grand hallway and came out with a jar filled with blue paint. Jess looked at her hand and saw that it had red paint on it.

“Why is the paint blue, not red like mine?”

“Blue symbolises that I painted her hand, not just anyone.”

“Oh…!”

“The Children of the Law of One should be coming soon. We must be ready.” Then he went over to Darren and drew lines over his hand too. He said: “Hold out your palms and have them all facing the door then back away against the wall.” Half a minute later two people walked through the door, literally. The Emperor stepped aside to let the two people look at the hands. They walked towards the hands and looked at them all closely. Then with a nod towards the Emperor they vanished. Jess realised that she had been holding her breath and started to breathe again. She ran to her mother and hugged her.

“Can we stay now?” she asked.

“It’s up to your grandfather!” The family of three looked up at the Emperor and saw a twinkle in his eye.

“Of course you can stay!“ he continued. “I’m having your rooms prepared now,” Jess smiled, minalk.  “Oh, and your belongings are in the hall.” Jess knew this was how she wanted to live. Her family was with her and she was in this beautiful city. She would make friends and start a new life in her new home, Atlantis…

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