The Green Lama: Unbound (The Green Lama Legacy Book 3) by Adam Lance Garcia

“ ‘reality.’ There are differing accounts as to what exactly the Old Ones looked like, but one thing that is consistent is that the very sight of them would drive a man to insanity.”
    “Sounds like a lovely bunch of gods, Herr Doktor,” Gottschalk commented. “Personally, I prefer mine with a flowing white beard and toga, but once again you fail to enlighten us. What does this all have to do with the Shard?”
    “The story goes that at some point before the rise of man, the Old Ones were imprisoned deep inside the earth; but being cosmic entities, they never really died. The cult believes,” the doctor continued, “that the greatest of the Old Ones, Cthulhu, is locked away in the lost city R’lyeh, waiting for the stars to align so he can awake and free the other gods to reign over this realm once again.
    “There are differing accounts as to how or why the Old Ones were sequestered from this world. Some say it was done by the Elder Gods, while others contend it was beings known as the Outer Gods. Most believe it was the Old Ones who chose to seal themselves off from our reality for reasons we cannot comprehend. However, I believe it was the power manifested by the Jade Tablets that defeated them. This Shard,” he said, indicating the glowing blade, “is the key to R’lyeh and a piece of the final Jade Tablet, once thought lost to the ages…”
    The Oberführer’s stomach dropped as he listened silently.
    “It is the key to giving Germany the power of the gods!” Hammond continued with growing excitement. “I am certain that the numbers I found are the ancient coordinates to R’lyeh, which, if my calculations are correct— and they are correct—translates to: south forty-seven degrees, nine minutes, by west one hundred twenty-six degrees, forty-three minutes.”
    The Oberführer forced a laugh. “South forty-seven degrees, nine minutes, by west one hundred twenty-six degrees, forty-three minutes?” he repeated. “That’s the middle of the ocean.”
    “Just north of the Antarctic!” Hammond said with a manic smile, his voice rising with every word. “And yes, you are correct, Herr Oberführer! You could tread water there for days and not see anything beyond the darkness of the sea. But, in a few days’ time the stars will align and the lost city will rise from the ocean depths. And once we have the Third Jade Tablet we can gain entrance into R’lyeh and we will be able to mold the world as we see fit!”
    The German officials fell into a brief silence as they considered the doctor.
    “This all sounds like the ravings of a madman!” the Oberführer finally exclaimed. “First the ‘Jade Tablets’ and now you speak of ancient alien gods and lost cities? This isn’t some young boy’s adventure story, Herr Doktor! I cannot deny the blade’s craftsmanship nor can I ignore its improbable luminescence, but what you are saying is insane!” He looked to Gottschalk for another voice of reason but found only silence—the Obergruppenführer would not speak against the Führer’s orders.
    Hirsch softly cleared his throat. “Herr Doktor, do you have any proof of these claims?”
    The doctor gave Hirsch a warm smile. “Yes, Herr Sturmbannführer. I do.” He lifted the Shard off the microscope, the crystal ringing as it moved through the air. He whispered three words, “ Na’petta R’lyeh fm’ta ,” and stabbed the blade forward. The sound of tearing flesh echoed around them as they watched the blade cut a three-dimensional hole in the air. Hammond reached over, curled his thin fingers around the ragged edges of reality, and tugged open the walls of existence like a torn curtain, revealing the terrifying world beyond.
    Hirsch let out a whimper as he stumbled back, his skin pale. “ Mein Gott ,” he breathed in horror.
    • • •
    “That’s a mountain,” Jean observed.“Nothing gets past you,” Aïas said dryly.
    The pair stood at the base, gazing up at the snow-capped peak. Under