This
is incredible Malcolm. We have writings of Alexandros' time in Egypt, but never anything before he arrived there."
"Yes, I know. With this we can fully and accurately teach the beginnings of the Black List."
Sternigan stands from the table and begins to pace around the table and Furloft. Excitement pulses through his veins. "Could he have been the first to have second sight?" he questions excitedly. "He obviously didn't know these beasts were actually demons."
"Well if you look at ancient Greece and its culture, the people attributed strange acts to their gods. Alexandros knew what he faced wasn't some act by the gods, but something else." Sternigan pauses and begins scanning the books lining the wall. This catches Furloft's attention. "What is it?"
"Vectivus," Sternigan says absently. His attention is focused more on his search than Furloft. "I have seen that name somewhere before."
"Where?" Furloft asks. "If he is mentioned than it is in reference to him since Alexandros killed him."
"No, no. This was definitely a reference to him but not after Alexandros but before." He places his hand to his chin and rolls his eyes up thinking heavily and trying to conjure a memory. "Atlantis!"
"Atlantis?" Furloft questions.
"Yes, Atlantis," he answers ardently. "We have evidence that the Atlanteans knew of and kept record of demons of their time as well as a list of Demons Lords."
"We have a historical account of Atlantis?" Furloft asks springing from his seat now fully interested in what Sternigan has to say.
"In a sort," he starts explaining. "Here it is." He pulls down an ancient looking book from the shelf and walks it to the table. Furloft's hands begin to sweat from the excitement at seeing this new text. Like Sternigan, he is excited with learning something new about history. The fact that here is not only evidence that Atlantis existed but here is an actual account from someone living in the city. "This is a copy of the original text," Sternigan says placing the book gently on the table. "Unfortunately the original did not survive the transportation process. Luckily I had enough sense to have it recorded in this book before it was moved."
"The book looks too old to have been written in only years before," Furloft comments.
Sternigan gives a slight chuckle at the comment. "The book was brand new when it was written in. I had it custom made to look this way for two reasons. The first was to match the other texts we have in here and the second was to keep it from standing out."
"Of course. Having a text of this mannerism would be highly valuable," Furloft says finishing Sternigan's explanation.
"Exactly," he confirms. "A man named Emre wrote his account of events taking place in the region. The account, however, ends leaving one to speculate the outcome."
The Demon Lord Vectivus has forced his army through the lands to the north overtaking many of the peoples. We have offered our aid to our neighbors causing havoc upon Vectivus' forces and thus brought his attention down upon us. Using his power, our city Atlantis has already suffered a great quake, but I fear there is more to come. I fear our time upon the Earth is drawing near.
"This was the final entry of the text. We can only speculate that Vectivus caused the large flood that destroyed the city."
"What's the date of the text?" Furloft inquires.
"Late 9600 BCE and you have to remember the Atlanteans were an advanced race of people, so having the ability to write wouldn't be too uncommon," he answers anticipating Furloft's next question.
"That has to be the oldest record of anything about demons," Furloft speculates.
"The oldest so far," Sternigan answers. "I'm hoping this document sheds more light just not only on Alexandros but now on Vectivus."
——
Alexandros Manuscript Page 47
I
spent the following week after leaving Sparta travelling south. I wore normal clothing, not letting anyone become aware of my Spartan past. I carried my armor and kept it covered from the view of prying eyes. Letting people know I was a Spartan would keep individuals away, but it would also bring trouble. Trouble I preferred to avoid.
I spent my entire life as a soldier and was not all too certain what it is I would do now. Truthfully I felt it would have been better to see death than to live with my honor stripped and left in the wilderness, but I used my father's words to face down the guilt and press on.
I sought to get as far away from Sparta as I could. No matter what I aimed to do to prove my innocence the outcome will be the same. All that faced me in Sparta was death. So I stuck to the wilderness as much I could only entering a city when I felt it was necessary. I passed many port cities like Elia, Pilitra and Monemvasia before finally settling into Neapoli near Cape Maleas. It was in Neapoli that I found a change or at least the next step in my journey.
"Welcome to the Kados Shipyard. How is it I may help you?" the man asked me as I entered the building.
The port city was bustling with people, many of which were Greek but I also noticed a great deal of other cultures and people about. Ships lined the docks as crew and labor hands rushed to load or unload goods from the ships. I really was not interested in the bazaar that looked to be what the city was built around. The goods for sell were eye catchers but I was focused on finding a path to a destination rather than purchasing trinkets. I stopped into the first place of business: Kados Shipyard.
"I'm looking for some work," I said keeping my focus on the man while getting a glance at my surroundings. As a Spartan we were trained to focus on the enemy we fought while observing our surroundings. An easy task once you learned how.
"You look strong, I am always in need of a strong sailor," he said looking me over. "Do you have any qualifications or experience on a ship or on the high seas?"
"Only weaponry and fighting," I replied not really certain those would be sufficient skills or not.
"Hmm." He stroked his chin, pulling slightly on his scraggily beard. "Not all my business is conducted honestly."
"Piracy?" I asked. I didn't fully agree with the notion but I did need work.
