The Ophir by Irene Patino

be shifted to
accommodate those that wish to continue in this fashion.
    Those that wish to sleep until a better time,
may do so. This plan would, by necessity, be very structured to
insure the safety and undisturbed sleep of our brethren, until such
a time as the world is ready for us to draw forward again.
    An alternative to sleep, would be the
formation of an island that would be found by those whose destiny
it is to enrich our lives with theirs. I would suggest the place
known as the Ring of Fire. There are three other mystical areas in
the world with the same capacity to hold you securely.
    Last, there are strange things that occur in
those areas, which have created a place that goes by the name
Lemuria. It is not on any known map, real places never are. On this
great island live many races, but not all races there are human, as
we understand it. This knowledge was passed on to me alone by the
Master, known as ‘The One’. Perhaps he knew that this day would
come, and a decision would have to be made equitable to all.”
    “Tell us, Captain, what of Lemuria?”
whispered their minds.
    “Lemuria is a continent of the ancients. It
is in the Ring of Fire. It is visible to those with eyes to see.
You have heard it called by many names in the mind of man. It is
known by Hiva, Bolutu, Mu, and Hawaiki.
    It is inhabited by small and giant alike.
Monuments exist to its aura and influence. Mystic arts are
practiced there. It is a place where time is but an illusion.
    We have many of the same gifts as the healers
and ancient Egyptian Magik Workers on that land. We retain those
gifts as long as they are used for the betterment of humanity. Our
hearing, speed and strengths transcend that of mortal men but can
be matched in Lemuria.
    Earthly gains are of no use to us. The
differences we experience with this common world will be normal to
that parallel existence. We would be free to explore them.
    The Prophet Mohammed once said, “ Anyone
growing out of the unlawful would not enter Paradise. ” In
Lemuria, we are not unlawful. It is in the world of man that we are
called an abomination.
    In truth, I myself grow tired of this world.
I will not, cannot, continue this way. I choose Lemuria. There, I
can retire to a life that is of my choosing, and where controlled
sustenance is supplied by an abundance of natural growth. I know
not what else may await me there, but I am keen to find out.
    Decide for yourselves, as I have done. Bear
in mind, whatever your decision, you must endure, evolve and adapt
if you are to survive.
    In fairness, I will give you a decade in
man’s time to make your decision but no longer. In that time, we
will ply the seas in search of ships laden in treasure to secure a
safe retirement, regardless of where that might be.”
    No one spoke. No one questioned the
alternatives. They would each decide and gather with those of
similar mind, and the move would be made. Captain Antonio knew that
the men would be divided according to cast or progression, in most
cases. ‘Becoming’ did not guarantee intellect nor did it guarantee
survival. Even in this world there would be leaders, and there
would be followers, but neither could survive alone. The year was
1312.
    * * * *
    Those that wished to live under the illusion
of an island, switched onto three of the nine vessels once under
the command of Captain Antonio. They sailed toward the Bahama’s and
Devils Triangle at the southeastern tip of the North American
continent. There they would create a hive, drawing a veil over the
eyes of many. They drew on memories of past land excursions near
beautiful uncharted islands in the Pacific and Mediterranean Oceans
to build their illusion.
    The lush green islands with gentle sloping
beaches surprised unsuspecting ships and casual travelers alike.
The occupants of passing ships saw a shallow beach leading to a
tropical, pristine island that did not exist on their maps. When
they accidently ran their ships aground on the sudden