Beyond the Stars: INEO (25 page)

After hearing a bursting roar vibrate around the hull of our craft, I noticed a clear tubular tunnel had surrounded us. It seemed to function as an underwater railway system. At last, the vehicle began to slow and the dark tunnel of water around us brightened with light. We heard a hydraulic sound, and saw a gush of water rush past the windows as our craft braked and stopped. We had arrived.

* * *

We exited the water craft into an enormous cavern beneath the ocean’s floor. Water continued to pour out of several drainage holes along the wall of the tunnel behind our craft and loudly pounded the water below them with force. The cavern’s three story height was lit with large burning copper pans of fire spaced throughout the area. They flickered like fireplaces, gave the place an exotic orange glow, and added even more unneeded heat to the already sweltering climate. The flames also released a fishy odor that worsened as we passed them. Our guide led us up some wide stone stairs that were carved into the rock along the side wall. They rose into an opening in the ceiling. It looked as though we were headed up to a loft because I couldn’t see the second floor. Although the Farni’s long legs maneuvered the steps with ease, they were difficult for me to climb because their rise was higher than normal and there wasn’t a handrail in sight. Half way up, my thighs started to ache and the back of my knees felt stretched from their overextension. I started to push down on my quadriceps to help me ascend. It was physically taxing and I wished I could take a break, but was too afraid to ask.

At the top of the stairs was another world. It was a world inside a world. Where did this place come from? It could easily be mistaken for a planet’s surface. Overhead, a strange sky brightened the land like a sun in the daytime, only it was made of a swirling collage of wispy lighted clouds. Streaks of colors flashed and zipped across the skyline in random directions, lighting it from within. I couldn’t tell if it was a natural occurrence or artificially synthesized. It reminded me of airplanes making jet lines as they traveled their different flight paths. It felt peaceful. A few Farni were walking across the moss covered grounds entering various one-story stone buildings throughout the vicinity, all going about their business. I could see most of the city from this hilltop view. The buildings had rows of round windows and were spackled in seashells that gleamed in the daylight. There weren’t any trees, only tall ornamental grass growing in sandy white soil. The plants naturally landscaped the area with their random placement. The Farni themselves were scantily dressed, had tan muscular bodies, long legs, and various shades of long blonde hair. It was impossible not to stare. I felt lucky to be privy to their underwater world—as if I had just found the city of Atlantis.

“Tyden, how can we be of help?” said a female Farni coming over to meet us.

I was surprised that she knew him by name. She glided towards us like a dancer with her perfect physic and posture. Her bronzed skin and aura glowed dramatically brighter than the others. It made her appear more powerful and wiser than the rest.

“Chi, we are hoping that you can help us locate a Dreon vessel. They have violated our treaty and have abducted one of our most gifted scientists. We have her work on the tracer which they used to seize her. It was originally implanted in Samantha, but we removed it,” Tyden explained, tipping his head in my direction.

Chi lifted her eyes from Tyden and placed them heavily on me. I felt uncomfortable with her steady eye contact and looked away. I noticed several Farni glaring at us from across the way. They were whispering to one another. I couldn’t tell if they were excited or upset by our visit.

Chi took the things from Urit’s hands and called to a man standing a few feet behind her. “Take these and see what you can make of them.”

“I would be happy to translate them for you,” Urit eagerly offered.

“Yes, that would be helpful. We are not accustomed to your logic,” Chi agreed.

There was a hint of superiority in her voice. Urit paid no attention and readily walked away with the man. I hoped he wouldn’t be long. The place was sauna hot. My body temperature was already getting overheated. I wiped some sweat off my brow to keep it from dripping in my eyes and noticed Gaelan doing the same. I was temped to start stripping off my clothes if we didn’t leave soon. I wondered if I would offend them if I had.

“Fear not,” she continued. “Finding the Dreons may not be easy, but
no one
can hide forever.” Her voice rose like she was up for the challenge. Chi approached me, giving me a slight smile. “They call you, Samantha?”

“Yes,” I answered meekly.

“I can see why the Dreons were so drawn to you,” she said, sounding overly interested.

“She is from Earth,” Gaelan explained openly.

“Thank you, Gaelan. That is not what I meant. Why do you come to us when you are accompanied by such a powerful resource?” she said, pausing to stare at me curiously. “I know … You lack the ability to use it, don’t you? Your ignorance is so shameful.” She addressed me with a look of disbelief while she strolled around the spot where I stood and looked me up and down. After Tyden’s warning to keep my emotions in check, I consciously tried to stand there with poise.

“Why? What’s wrong with me?” I asked nervously.

“Oh, my dear, you really are completely oblivious.” Chi’s feet stopped. “You
do
need our help,” she said with urgency. “Your spirit is emitting an almost blinding array of universal energy.”

The sky grew brighter in response.

“See, you have even attracted a spirit guide,” she said gleefully.

I searched above me for the changing illumination in the sky and saw three floating, glowing orbs of rosecolored light the size of basketballs descending from the clouds. They levitated in front of us like bubbles, and then morphed together, intensifying their brightness. They had formed into one giant orb.

“Samantha,” said the ball of light in a voice that was neither male nor female. “Do not be afraid, my child. You must be aware that you are carrying with you a gift. You hold the power of Ineo.”

“I don’t understand. What gift? Is that why I’m having lifelike dreams?”

Tyden turned to look at me with a surprised expression, while Gaelan sighed, appearing concerned.

“The Dreons did this to me, didn’t they?” I said sourly, almost wishing that they had. My stomach tightened. I was terrified that the orb would bring up the myth and tell me I would die.

“No,” the ball answered. I shielded my eyes when it surged briefly with added brightness before continuing. “The Ineo are responsible. The Ineo were created at the birth of all there is. They are as old as life itself, are spiritual entities, and are not bound to living in one dimension as you are. They choose to help those they deem worthy. One of them has sought you. It has merged itself with your spirit.” The ball floated closer to my face. “How is it you have been granted the eyes of the universe, yet remain completely unaware of its existence? They can take many forms, but have ways of making their presence known when one of them takes refuge inside you. Do you not feel its remarkable energy harnessed within the confines of your physical form? Has it not shown you its power? Given you the ability to see the things you want?”

“You must be mistaken,” I refuted. “I don’t know what the eyes of the universe are, and if I did, I don’t have them. The strange things that have happened to me haven’t been by choice.”

The ball pulsated again with strong light. It made me nervous. I probably shouldn’t have answered so rudely. I worried that I had offended it when the borders of the ball burst open like a popped bubble and spread into a milky mist. I thought it was going to disappear entirely when it started to separate, but instead it took the form of a body. It became more solidified until it was completely transformed into a beautiful woman with long flowing white hair, bright green eyes and glowing skin that mirrored the rose-colored ball. She floated like a ghost in a partial translucent state. I fought to hide my wowed reaction and wondered if she had changed for my sake.

“The Ineo hold unspeakable power … the ability to create and manifest your deepest desires,” she said, reaching out to touch my arm with her wispy fingers. They were as cold as ice and made me shudder. “Its presence graces you with extraordinary abilities. While it is with you, you can choose your reality at will—go anyplace, at any time. It has attached itself to you because you were open to receiving it and, because you
need
it. It is up to you whether or not you accept its power. You are being tested, my child.”

“Tested?” I scoffed. “By who?” I remembered Jack telling me the same thing.

“The mysteries of the universe are beyond your comprehension. It is not your place to question why or who? You should not waste this opportunity. You should embrace it. Be grateful. It is on rare occasion that one can glide between realms so freely. Please remember to choose wisely, or you could lose greatly. Any decision created from your deepest desires will become permanent.”

“Great. Can you teach me how to use it?”

“You are capable of helping yourself. You hold more ability than most embodied life-forms can harness.” The ball backed off.

“I feel differently, though I have no control of the things I see. I want it gone. Can you remove it?”

“No, just like you, the Ineo have free will. It will move on when it is ready. And, fear not. The Ineo may be overwhelming for you, but you are never given more than you can handle. It feeds you as much energy as you require, never more. You should welcome the addition. Do not be afraid to look past the dividers of dimensions and go into realities you may not recognize. Your spirit can travel to the ends of the universe with its help. You can influence your future and everyone around you with any decision you hold firm in your mind.”

“Sounds fun, let’s try it now,” Gaelan said lightly.

He was probably feeling as uneasy as I was in hearing this news.

“I don’t know how to control it. You must tell me how,” I pleaded.

The woman gave me a slight smile as her image fell apart. Her features dissipated into a mist before returning to its orb-like shape with streams of pink light. “Look inside yourself and trust your spirit. You will find what you seek.”

Suddenly, the ball separated back into three individual globes, rose side by side, and zipped away, disappearing into the lighted sky above. It must have told me all it could. I had to figure out the rest for myself.

I looked at Chi and found her staring at me with admiration. “The Being of Light does not show itself to everyone,” she stated, as though she thought I was something special.

I didn’t know what to say, and I gave her a kind nod. She made me feel uncomfortable. Then I glanced around us and saw some of the other Farni, standing nearby, gawking at me as well. I had attracted a small crowd. Their bodies looked electric when they stood together. I felt as if I was surrounded by human lightning bugs. It was awkward. I wanted to leave. Fortunately, my prayers were soon answered. I was relieved to see Urit walking up the path.

Tyden also seemed to notice their changed demeanor and quickly replied, “Thank you, Chi. Your people have been very gracious. I see our friend Urit returning, and, judging by his demeanor, it looks like they were successful. We will be on our way.”

“Of course,” Chi replied with a humbled smile, “I wish you success on your journey. Our transport vehicle will bring you to your ship,” she said pointing to the exit before turning to leave.

“Samantha.” Tyden faced me. “I would
not
mention the Ineo to anyone but Gaelan or me,” he said almost as a threat.

“Absolutely not. No one else can know,” Gaelan quickly agreed.

“No problem. What Ineo?” I said jokingly.

At the same time, Urit returned to our group with a spry step holding a newly built Dreon tracker in his hand. “We’ll get them now,” he cheered, holding up the device like a trophy. “Can you believe they built this so quickly?” He turned it on to show us how it worked. The device itself was the size of a deck of cards and projected a two-foot wide holographic viewing screen above it.

“It’s wonderful,” Tyden said with a nod.

“The tracker provides us a display of far regions of Space, like a remote telescope. If we aim it correctly, we’ll find them in no time,” Urit said.

Cool. I wanted one for myself.

“Sam, did I hear you say something about the
Ineo?”
Urit asked with one raised brow.

“I did—”

“You’ve
heard of the Ineo?” Gaelan asked Urit with skepticism.

“Yes. Hasn’t everyone. I’m sure you know of it, too. Remember that bedtime story where a person gets too close to a solar flare and becomes possessed by an invisible entity. The entity, it’s called an Ineo. Only I didn’t hear of it being called that until I did my research on alternative healing methodologies.”

I gulped. The solar flare was when it happened, alright. I was shocked that Urit had studied it. “You mean the story where the man dies.”

“That’s the one. Only the correct translation of the man carrying an Ineo got lost over time,” Urit explained. “He didn’t die. He merely vanished, so people must have assumed the worst. I think it was by choice. There is some evidence suggesting that he may have gone into hiding to avoid the unwanted attention the Ineo attracted. I’m not sure when the story changed into the frightening tale we tell children today. Originally, attracting an Ineo was considered to be a blessing. It’s the ultimate endowment of an ancient celestial power bestowed upon a person by a trans-dimensional being. Almost like magic. It gives a person unusual power. Unfortunately, it’s make-believe.”