Edison's Dream ~ Chapter Four ~ Part One

The school of magic has ceased all spells…

               As Edison descended down into the hole, he noticed that it was a circular passageway that seemed to stretch down very far. It was extremely narrow with silver pearls that were stuck in the crevices. The passage was very dark, yet as Edison swam forward, it strangely illuminated with a hazy light so that he could see his way clearly. Regardless of all this, he still found difficulty in navigating through the hole, as he kept hitting his hands and feet against the sides of the crevices. Without even realizing it, he opened his mouth to speak. “Do I even know where I’m going?” he asked. The words slipped out perfectly, even though he was underwater. He stopped moving momentarily.  “I can talk underneath all of this?” he spoke again, confused. While he was looking around at the passageway, he felt the urge to cock his head forward. The light that surrounded him began to bounce around from crevice to crevice, almost as if it was dancing. It soon changed its color from grey to orange, and shone on the top crevice. It then formed the shape of an arrow, which seemed to be pointing down deeper into the passageway. Edison looked up at the light, which started to shine further and further down into the hole. “What awaits me this time?” he asked himself. The light soon dissipated, and Edison dove down further into the passage.

After a short while of navigating through the darkened hole, Edison eventually reached the end of the passageway, and was now at the very bottom of the exhibit’s castle. He was shocked by what he saw. Although the passageway was extremely narrow, the area underneath it was an expansive underwater cavern. The crevices were spread apart much farther, and tiny pieces of gold were wedged within them. The ceiling was also much higher. Directly ahead of Edison was a crevice with a large crack in the middle of it. When he swam closer to it to get a good look at the other side, he could see a half destroyed throne room with two statues at the very end. The statues were of fish heads with human bodies, and they were both clad with bright blue armor. Their eyes looked as if they were angry, with eyebrows that were slightly slanted. Tall wooden spears were being held in their right hands. As they stood there, both of their mouths were opening and closing automatically.

The entire throne room was fairly gigantic. The floor was colored with red and white checkers, and a dilapidating chandelier was hanging on the ceiling. In between the two statues sat a red chair with a broken backrest. “Where must I go to find the key?” Edison wondered. Just after he said this, the room began to shake heavily, and air bubbles were forming in the water. “What did I do?” he exclaimed. “You entered the castle of my lost kingdom. That is what you did.” A voice replied. This terrified Edison, whose body started to shake. He looked every which way for the owner of the voice, but found no one. “This way, fool!” the voice shouted. Edison jerked his head toward the chair between the statues. A ghostly figure of a fish was now sitting in it. The fish wore a black and white crown on its head, and was dressed in a green robe that covered its whole body. Although it had the head of a fish, it had the body of a human. “Ah! Do we have yet another thief who wishes to steal my precious jewels?” it asked, with a scowl on its face. Edison was speechless at first. “Why no, I am not. I am searching for a key.” he said. The fish leaned its head to the left and raised its arms. “Then I suppose you would have the same intentions as that girl from earlier on.” It stated. Edison nodded his head. “Do you know where I can find it?” The fish let out a sigh and stood up from the chair. It then turned its back and started to swim up to the ceiling. “It is hidden here in Absunda, my kingdom under the ocean.” Edison was intrigued to hear this. “And who are you?” The fish stopped and turned its head towards Edison. “I am Aequgus, the King of Absunda. And you, you claim you are not here to invade my old kingdom and steal my riches?” Edison nodded his head. “I am not a thief by any means.” he reassured. “I see. Well then, you must prove yourself to me if you wish for my assistance.” The King replied. “What must I do?” Edison inquired. “First, you must enter the mouth of the statue to your right.” The ghostly figure of the King then disappeared.