Lucius Whent, „The Captain’s Log„

   “Lay still, please Henry”, said a melodic voice. It was somewhat familiar but my memory was as frozen as my body at the moment.
   “You’re safe now. You’re alive”, said the voice again.
As the stinging saltwater drained from my eyes the blurry shape came closer to my face and started to get in focus. I weakly shake my head and suddenly I see the face that goes with the voice. Surrounded by a deep cowl or perhaps some kind of hat was a woman’s thin, pale face. Her nose has a slightly reddish pink color to it but it’s her bright green eyes that catches my own bloodshot and half blind eyes. 

   “Can you hear me, Henry?”
Henry? Wait, that’s my name. She’s talking to me. I suddenly go into a coughing fit again. I wretch violently a few times as the green eyed woman slaps my back over and over until I finally stop, eagerly drawing in air.
Once again she asks me if I can hear her and I nod.
   “Yes, I hear you. I’m ok”, I think. 

A large set of arms comes into view and grabs me and all of a sudden I’m standing up, wobbly on my freezing feet. 
I look up at a huge man dressed in a thick coat and furry hat. He’s wearing leather gloves and is grabbing my shoulder to steady me. Suddenly I feel dizzy and weak. My shaky legs give away and I collapse on stony and frozen ground. Darkness.

   “…move on…remember…” 

    The voice, voices?, again. Urging me to open my eyes. Still with a demanding edge to it but also somehow comforting in an odd unexplainable fashion.
I feel the sting of a hand slap across my face and I open my eyes. Confused and still dizzy I look around but at first I only see darkness. Next to me I see the huge shape of the silent man, his dark brooding eyes staring at me. His hard face snarls as he nods as if to confirm I’m awake.
  I can see the woman standing at the very edge of the water, a glittering sheet of glass, holding up a small lantern. The moon lends its meager light and it falls on dark floating shapes, bobbing slowly up and down at the mercy of gentle waves. Bodies? I shake my head in a desperate attempt to convince my eyes that the horrors before me can’t be real but as I move my gaze over the glimmering cold shores more bodies seem to appear from the dark unknown depths. An audible hoarse gasp escapes my mouth.
   “More dead”,  the woman says, looking back at us. The lantern sways slowly, making the shadows dance ghostly around us. Around me I see a stony strip of a shore, with something looking like damaged crates scattered around it. I stared at it all in confusion with stinging eyes.
   “I was hoping more had survived the shipwreck”. She looks at the man next to me.
”Brantley, please help Henry up, we must move further into the island”
Shipwreck? I can feel a memory pushing itself to the center of my thoughts as I repeat the word. It violently claws out of the fog of confusion and ignorance.
Yes, there was a ship. We were on the ocean in a small ship. We? I can’t recall how many people were aboard but seeing the lifeless shapes in the water I could quickly estimate more than ten of us.
As I watch the bodies congregate close to land, carried on cold waves pushed by a steady increasing wind, I suddenly realize some of them are moving on their own accord. At first I take it as a trick of shadows but as one dark wet form climbs up on a dead body and quickly drags it under the surface I know in a singular flash of  understanding, nothing plays with my weak mental state and capacity. Some nameless beings were taking the bodies, one by one, down under the water to some blasphemous end that thankfully my thoughts managed to block and not allow me to comprehend.  The shock makes me crawl back in horror and amazement until my back moves into the unmovable form of the man called Brantley.
I raise my arm to point as Brantley grabs me to hoist my limp body up  so the gesture is lost to them as was my clearly wide staring eyes, held on the gleaming globes staring back at me before they disappear.   

   “Can you walk?”, the woman says, as she gently puts a cold hand on my face. I recoil in surprise from the touch. As I look back at her a strange feeling comes over me. Almost as a warm wave, rushing through my body. I lock eyes with her and hear myself say, “Yes, Edith”.
What just happened? A short moment of clarity and I feel reinvigorated. I repeat it again as if to make sure I say it right.
   “Good, let’s hurry”, the woman I called Edith says, grabs my hand and more drags me along than walks with me. Behind us I can see the hulking figure of the strange man named Brantley following us. I try to look behind him hoping not to catch any movement from whatever was dwelling under the surface of the frozen shore but something close to complete darkness seems to swallow everything just a few steps behind us.
Once again, I feel cold and weak. My head is hurting and I stumble and fall, countless times, and every time, the large man picks me up.
   “…go on…move on…”
I no longer feel my body and my sight must be getting worse because all I see is misshapen rocky cliffs, shooting out of a stony shore that, to me, goes on forever.
   “…remember…the signs…”
 Surrounded by black rocks and foul smelling seaweed I’m doing my best to keep up with the other two but it’s of no use. The dim light from the lantern comes and goes as Edith turns around corners in a stony dark maze. I feel so heavy. Heavy and weak. My legs are struggling to move and at last, all effort spent, I fall one last time before darkness takes me. 

   “…Henry…look…seeeeeee….”

  I must have blacked out. I woke up, confused, and once again the man had me standing up in a firm grip of his large hands. I blink and look around and I can’t see Edith. A feeling of dread comes over me and I fall to my knees, sharp rocks digging into my legs and kneecaps. I want to cry out from pain but all I manage is a pitiful croak, hurting my dry throat. As if in a dream I feel myself moving without taking a step. The black rocks around me seem to lean in and suddenly they make way for a dark ominous opening. A cave entrance? It’s surrounded by hanging seaweed and next to it there stands Edith, an eerie figure in faint light.
Hooded and layered with thick coats, she faces away from me. I can see a tall flat stone in front of her where she has placed the lantern, and she’s clearing its surface of seaweed and the moisture they leave after she let them fall to the rocky ground.
  “Edith?”, I say with a hoarse voice that sends painful needles down my throat.
The hooded figure turns and face me. She’s holding an open book in her hands that she closed when she sees me. 

   “…the book…signsssss…”

   “Oh Henry, I’m so glad to see you. I was worried. Bartley said you disappeared so he went back to find you”.
Her words sound sincere and once again her voice makes me feel something. Some feeling trying to penetrate the armor encasing my memories. Some lost emotion desperate to unveil itself to me but gets lost in my dizzy head.
I feel Bartleys hand on me as I look up to see Ediths face half hidden by the hood of her parka. The sight unsettles me and I step back. Her face. The face is a mess of wrinkles and wind blown skin. If it wasn’t for her green eyes I would have sworn an oath it could not have been the same woman I saw on the stony beach. How long ago was that? My head was spinning and dizziness came over me. 

   “…stay focused…seeeee…”

I feel the cold wet cliffs on my back as I stumble into them, taking a few steps away from her. I can’t tell if my hands are shaking from the cold or the shock of seeing her face. It was not the same as before. She looked as if she had aged terribly since last I saw her, whenever that was. Time has been playing tricks on me since I woke up in the cold ocean water but it feels like just recently and far from the time it would take for her face to age to look like an old woman. 
While I stare at her in bewilderment she walks towards me with a hand stretched out. I see her mouth move but I’m unable to hear the words. I shake my head as if to rattle something loose that prevents me from hearing. It feels as if my heart is pounding between my ears and is so loud it blocks out any other sound. Edith looks at me with her green eyes, now old and surrounded by deep wrinkles.

   “…the book….look at the book…”

A voice again or did I imagine? Whatever the truth was behind the strange voice, the return of it is enough to make my world go dark. In a feeble attempt my hand reaches out for support. The last thing I feel is my head bounce off the rock behind me.

   “…gooooo….seeeee…..the signssss…” 

Darkness. So absolute and encapsulating it freezes me in fear as I wake up. I feel a strange pressure, as if I’m in a small room or chamber of some sort in which I’m laying down on chilly ground. I try to speak, any word, but my throat is too dry. A pitiful wheezing comes out and dies immediately on blistered lips. Pain. My whole body is in pain and I’m certain the sticky wetness I feel on my face is blood but from what I don’t dare let my mind dwell on.
I hear something close by, to my left side. Breathing? I slowly reach out into the black, hand shaking. I touch something cold and still, with shallow breaths. It has to be Edith or Brantley so I whisper their names but I get no reply in return. I shake the unknown body but it remains still. I sit up to move closer when a scraping sound comes from the darkness just beyond. I shake the body again and I feel a hand land on mine. Too cold and tired I don’t even react to it, but it should have sent me into terror. The large callous hand tells me it’s Brantley beside me and it reassures me. I forcibly shake him again, desperately trying to make him wake up. A weak moan comes from him and I slam my hand down, hard on his body.
A loud cough tells me his senses are about to return when the scraping sound is heard again, closer this time.
I whisper to him to get up but he just wriggles slowly and moans even louder. I keep shaking him as the scraping noise gets closer with every heartbeat. Something like a wet footstep can be heard to one side and quickly followed by another. I catch a glimmer of a light in the dark, swaying from side to side like a crazed will o’ the wisp searching for something. I can feel the grasp of madness getting hold of my already weakened mind as the clear echoes of wet sucking footsteps gets louder, closer and closer. Suddenly I can see Brantley’s face as the light from Ediths lantern lands on his prostrated form, as she comes around a corner and an opening appears suddenly around her. What looks like a cave takes form in the dancing lights, chasing some of the darkness away. I look down at Brantley and his face is covered in blood. His mouth seems injured, as if beaten. Thick blood trickles down his face as he moves his mouth as if to speak. Can he speak?  A pang of recollection hits me that I have never heard the man speak a word but I also feel I can’t trust myself or any opinion I might have. I look up from his damaged face as Edith screams.
   “Henry, we must go now. Leave him”, her voice is high pitched in fear and anxiety.
I look at her in confusion. Her face, now even more ravaged by age with wrinkled skin stretched over a thin skull, eyes lit up by the lantern surrounded by dark circles. Her body seems hunched over and her outstretched hand is just a cluster of bony fingers.
   “Henry”, she calls again and I take a last look at the large man as I stand up. The light from the lantern moves in a slow mesmerizing motion over Brantley, back to Edith and then back to me and it’s in that short moment in time I see it. A low hulking form slithers into the dim light at the feet of Brantley, still not moving. I can see large round eyes, black pits of madness. I stumble back…
   “…see it…seeeee…”
…Brantley’s body disappears into the blackness with a violent jerk. A rasp gurgling bounce around in the small cavern followed by a wet crunching sound that…
   “…see it…look…”
…screaming chills me in place. I feel Edith pull me into the opening and then we’re running, on shaky unstable legs. As fast as we can through narrow tunnels in the light from the shaky lantern. Even with the loud sound our steps make I can still hear the sloshy steps behind me. Maybe my mind is imagining it, conjuring up this horror that I refuse to believe is real. But it took Brantley. I saw it, its dead black eyes. So big in a narrow shaped face with what seemed like…scales? No, it can’t be. The shock and the lack of light, surely…it can’t be.
Edith’s crackling voice wakes me up from my inner rant of disturbing thoughts and I find myself in a stony chamber, much larger than the previous one. Weird lights dancing on the walls and ground as if the rock around us emitted the odd lure of colors.
A blasphemous array of bright light, colors I can’t recall ever seeing, swirling around a gaping black hole in the middle of the cold chamber.
Edith turns around, fear haunting her eyes. The face now looks like a pale death mask of thin wrinkles and blotches. Her mouth, toothless, opens but instead of words only a cloud of cold breath comes out. I stare at her in horror, on the brink of fainting, when I feel a presence behind me. Close. So close I imagine feeling breath on my neck, chilling me all over. I start to turn around, even as my mind screams not to…
   “…see it…look…remember…”
…I feel myself getting pushed…
   “…look…see it…”
…like I’m flying. Cold wind slamming my face…
…”nooo…remember…you must…”
…screams echo around me and my numb body hits hard rocky walls as I’m bouncing back and forth. I can see the ground getting closer while my body is spinning around, round and round.
The ground, strange lights, flying up towards me and I…

…”wake up…look…the book…”

   How I survived the fall I don’t know or perhaps this was my own hell and I was dead, killed by the fall. A fall that felt like a lifetime filled with odd lights and abnormal rock formations. I still can’t feel my body but I could by some strange will make myself get up. Above me was a high rocky ceiling of an enormous chamber, vast in its size and otherworldly shape. Sharp frozen stalactites of incalculable width and length hung from the dark ceiling. The light again, a maddening collection of colors, spread between them shooting rays on the ground and the odd rocky outcroppings that filled the immense place. My foggy mind struggled to take it all in as I looked around.
My gaze fell and stopped on what looked like a building but surely couldn’t be. In a distance I can’t measure, it loomed high as if reaching upwards to touch the brown aged teeth looking stalactites. It caught me so off guard I felt my mouth gaping at the sight. I felt compelled to get closer as if drawn to it…
   “…look…the book…”
…so high I couldn’t tell when it ended and the doomed ceiling began. The size of the building, I now realized it was, was beyond my comprehension. The large opening before me sent out a faint hammering sound. Almost like a…
     “…remember…see…hear…”
…it was her, Edith. Her lifeless body, nothing more than a husk of bones and cold skin, sitting in front of the enormous maw of breathing madness. I walked around her slowly as if not to disturb her in her eternal rest. Her face, now without her green eyes, nothing but a dried up pale hollow skull. The sight should have…
   “…book…look…signssssss…”
…after grabbing the book from her skeletal hands I was overcome by a fear I have never felt before. Something was wrong. I looked up at the gaping infinite darkness in the middle of the tower, for what else could it be. My blurry vision could see grooves forming an eldritch circle around the gaping hole and my addled mind knew it was carvings made with an ill purpose but I cannot understand why. I took a few steps back as if it would help me see it all but just moving made me dizzy and I stumbled, knees hitting the cold flat ground. Looking around I could see what to me appeared to be weirdly shaped flowers, glowing in every color the universe can create but was lost to my mind. The light from them seems to light up the odd carvings on the surface of the high building. They looked like…
   “…see….see the signsssss…”
…turned the page of the book and confirmed that the drawing in the yellow paged tome matched the unnatural rune glowing on the weathered wall. Either my mind jolted from the realization of something I unknowingly had done or the smooth marble-like ground at my feet moved. My eyes watered and my sight seemed to get worse, smaller in scope. I can’t go on.
Something is wrong and I shouldn’t…
   “…the sign…see it….look…”
…close enough to be the correct sign. The page was barely visible as my eyes lost their peripheral awareness, darkness closing in on all sides . My head. Pain so strong and sharp I could feel my body reeling and I’m quickly losing focus. The tower shudders or is it just me, losing my mind to whatever madness I draw upon from the accursed tome I hold. I look up to find the last…
   “…there…see it…remember…”
…like a heart pounding, coming through the darkness of the opening. I see a pillar of onyx shaped as some nameless loathing being fall, breaking in thousands of black crystalline pieces around me. I strain to lift my head up, up to see the…
   “…see…see the sign…remember…”
…grabs me with such horror and I turn and run…
   “…remember…see…”
…like a spiderweb, racing across the floor, breaking the once impossible smooth surface into a maddening mosaic of glimmering bits of black rock…  “…remember…look…Henry…remember…”
…behind me, crumbling, like an impossible shaped ruin. I run. Walls falling, all around me. The ground moves and in my horror I try to imagine what dwells beneath it if I would fall. I ran,stumbled, crawled away from the…
   “…Henry…nooo…remember….sign…remember…”

   I can hear voices. My head still hurts but not at the intensity as before. I feel oddly calm, relaxed even, but so weak I fail to open my eyes. The voices, at first mumbling and distant, become clearer. A dancing form of dim light moves in front of my face, shining through my eyelids that remain shut. A low, almost whispering voice, close to my ear says something but I can’t make out the meaning of the muffled words. I try to move but it’s as if my muscles are beyond my control.
The voice comes out of the muddled murmur like a knife, piercing the silence..
   “Do it,I say. Now”. The voice is cold and harsh but somehow I know it’s not meant for me. I once again try to move but it ends in another futile attempt.
   “But sir, he’s too weak. It’s a miracle he’s not completely mad, never mind still alive. Please, professor”, a man’s voice stammers feebly.
   “Now, if you please doctor. Half a dose, I need him deeply sedated but receptive”.
That voice. So familiar but how?. I summon the last spark of will left in me, heart pounding, blood pumping in my ears.
   “Now doctor, he’s starting to move”.
My arms, I can’t move them. What’s happening to me?
An impossible horror fills every fiber of my being as the voice, that voice, once again speaks.
Calm but filled with chilling command and in a horrifying moment of realization it becomes familiar. So frighteningly familiar.
   “Now my dear Henry, let’s try again”.
No, it can’t be. What is happening?.
I can feel my body relax, sinking into a rapid oncoming darkness. A soothing but terrible feeling.
The cold darkness. Again.
   “…Henry…have to remember this time…must know what you saw…”
No, not again. Please. My mind screams out in silence at the world but loud as a booming thunderclap inside my own head. No more, please. I can’t…
   “…will slowly fall asleep and…relax and try to…remember Henry…the sign…the third sign…remember this time….tell me all….you must remember…”

Everything was black. And cold. Very cold.
I felt as if I was wrapped in a frozen blanket, snug and tight. I couldn’t move or see.
My head was hammering and I heard strange muted sounds, voices?.
I tried to speak but as I opened my mouth it was immediately filled with what, water? Salt water?
It was cold as winter and flowed like freezing icicles down my throat and down into the lungs.
Panic! I can’t breathe. I finally managed to break the horrifying paralysis and started moving my arms and legs, but even while flailing wildly I failed to touch anything. It felt like I was flying or more like falling, slowly.
Panic! I can’t breathe. Am I dying? Drowning? Strangely I somehow feel weightless but at the same time heavy. Heavy as solid rock. And cold, freezing cold. 

  “Ph’nglui mglw’nafh Cthulhu R’lyeh wgah-nagl fhtagn……open your eyes and remember…tell me all…the signsssss”

THE THIRD SIGN, A Lovecraftian tale of horror written by: Carl Anders

Oh! He’s calling for me now, saying our taxi will be here shortly. We’re to begin our voyage to Concepcion, Chile in a few hours where we will meet with the rest of the Order. And from there to an exciting little island called Point Nemo. Bon Voyage! 

June 22, 1923

We’ve landed on the British Virgin Islands, in a small port town called Anegada for supplies. The first few days at sea were rough. Will says I’m finally earning my sea legs, although he hasn’t fared much better. For summer weather, it’s been unusually cloudy and dare I say, cold. Even the wind and waves seemed to be pushing against. The captain, a man by the name of Mariano even says that were this not a steam boat, he would have canceled the journey.
An older gentleman, with grizzled hair yet soft features, Mariano reminds me of Elder Jonathan, the leader of our Order. Jonathan, a man of 63 years, is only a somewhat recent acquaintance of ours. We met him less than a year ago. He claims to be the first person in our Order to have had the Dream. He’s had them since he was a boy and it’s how he met Elder Ezekiel when they were in their teens and eventually the rest of the Order. William was one of the last people he met before finally closing the Order off to other potential members who had also had the Dream. When Will first told me about meeting someone else who had shared our Dream, I didn’t believe him. When he surprised me by having Elder Jonathan over that same night, I was furious! I had nothing prepared for company!
After scrambling to prepare the house and a meal with a guest, I was taken aback with how humble the Elder was. Something about his presence was soothing. I don’t think I saw him take a bite of my pot roast the whole time, but I didn’t mind. He spoke of the Dream and how he’d been using it to assemble people across the country for decades. People who sought to make the world a better place; to rid it of all the evils that had beset humanity. To make everyone and everything truly equal. He told me that he had seen what was at the bottom of that chasm. The Elder simply called it, “The Slumbering One”. 
He mentioned he saw Will meeting the Slumbering One in one of his Dreams. Will said he vaguely recalled this from his Dream the night before. I told them I hadn’t had the Dream since Will and I met and I don’t recall many details. The Elder replied simply replied, “Don’t worry my dear, you will in time. We all serve a purpose for Him.”

Will just came in, saying we’re going back out to sea, but first, dinner with Mariano at the captain’s table. I ask if he saw anything interesting while on land. He wasn’t quite sure, but he thought he saw the Slumbering One form in the clouds. How exciting!!!

July 7, 1923

Land ho!
The boat finally arrived in Concepcion, Chile. I didn’t think we would make it, but we finally did! When we rounded Cape Horn, the weather and water took a turn for the worse. There were storms for all but the last two days of the trip; waves that would almost capsize us, although Mariano assured me I was just exaggerating (even though I’m sure every single word I heard him speak in Spanish was a swear and all of the loose furniture on the ship flew from one end to the other). To be perfectly honest, I was scared for my life.
But just last night, I had the Dream! I saw dozens, if not hundreds of new faces, although I don’t recall any names. While it mostly played out the same as I recall from years ago, the ending had a little more to it, as I looked down and saw a pair of eyes staring back up from the darkness. Silver eyes, but glowed brightly in the darkness Was that the Slumbering One? Had we left our lovely Arkham for a giant creature? I’m starting to feel anxious. Did we make the right choice?

July 15, 1923

Over the last week or so, we’ve met an increasing number of people from the Order. Some traveled with their spouses, most traveled alone, poor souls. For the most part, they all seem like normal, well-adjusted individuals, and a seemingly even blend of men and women, which has helped restore my faith in this adventure. Somewhat, anyway.
There was one family of three that arrived yesterday. I thought it odd that they would bring a child. I’ve gathered that the other couples here don’t have children and the only other young people here are in their early twenties, while this child couldn’t be any more than ten! I politely went up to her parents and asked how their daughter felt about going on such a long and arduous journey at such a young age, to which they replied their young Caroline had also had the Dream and wanted to join. Simply looking at the girl for five seconds told me she had no desire to be here.
I wanted to press on, but they told me they were all tired and sought to rest. Not wanting to cause a scene, I excused them. When I turned around I was startled by Elder Jonathan who was right behind me. I swear he made zero sounds getting there, nor had I any idea how much of that conversation he’d heard.
“Don’t worry, my dear, we all serve a purpose for Him. Especially young Caroline.”
I asked him what he meant. I’ve been here for a week, I need something other than cryptic answers and vague words.
“My meanings will become clear soon enough, my dear, just be patient.”
We returned to our room shortly after, leaving the town square, which has become our unofficial welcome and social area. I can’t take much more of this.

July 16, 1923

I’m not sure why, but I feel content. I’ve had the Dream every night that I’ve been here, but last night there was more to it. There was a child. She was too far away to properly identify. From a distance, she may have been Caroline. I’m vainly trying to recall what happened in the rest of the dream to no avail.

Returning from breakfast. Caroline smiled at me today. She apologized and said she was just tired from the journey. She thinks my hair is pretty and can’t wait to be friends at Point Nemo. What a sweet girl. I told her we didn’t have to wait until we got to the island and her face lit up! Maybe the child from my Dream was Caroline. Regardless, the interaction has me feeling much better about this trip.
Tomorrow we board our last boat and make the 6 day trip to Point Nemo. 200 souls boarding for our final destination.

At dinner, Elder Jonathan told me he’s glad to see me in such high spirits and that I’ve bonded with young Caroline. I told him I was sorry to doubt the plans. He refused my apology, saying it wasn’t necessary. “Moments of doubt are what make us human.” I really like that line. Wasn’t sure he meant when he said “And we’ll rise above that soon enough.”


July 22, 1923

I have a dream about a city under the sea beneath the boat. It is most unusual. I could have sworn it was real and my consciousness was projected out of my body. Before my vision went into the depths, it was hovering above the boat. I could see Elder Jonathan standing at the bow in silence and the captain and first mate looking for stars.
Then I submerged at a rapid speed. For the longest time there was no light. Just an endless, terrifying void. Eventually there was a light in the deep. I was still descending. More lights appeared. As I got closer I could see they were fish and they were moving towards some floating structure. The shapes were of the most unusual and otherworldly geometry. I went deeper only to find a sprawling city scape of these unusual structures, going as far out as the eye could see.
In the heart of this city, there was a building that looked like a pyramid. I approached to see glowing letters in an ancient language I had never seen. Above the pyramid there was some kind of funnel? Or a tube? It went higher up than I could see. I wanted to get a closer look when I heard a loud rumbling behind me.
The manuscript that had been all over the pyramid was no longer glowing. The top half was moving off, with writhing tentacles emerging. Fear gripped me. I wanted to look away but I couldn’t! Silver eyes like I had seen from the Dream were peering out from the darkness, far larger than before. Was this the Slumbering One?!
It spoke. At first its voice was deep vibrations that broke me out of my paralytic fear. But the noise turned into a soothing yet deep voice.
“Help me! I’ve been imprisoned in the depths of R’lyeh. The devils run free while I am trapped. Set me free and receive your reward!”
Before I could reply, I was sent back up to the surface. To the start of the Dream! It played out as it always did, and this time I could see the child. She was a girl. With blue eyes!!! Will and I had always wanted a child but had no luck in the matter. Was this what he means when he says, “We finally did it,”?
I woke up and Will was fast asleep next to me. I wonder if he ever had the same part of the Dream? But I do finally feel as though this trip has a purpose.
I left to get some air. Elder Jonathan was still on the bow. He only said one sentence to me, but that was enough.
“Now you’ve seen what I have.”


July 23, 1923

The trip to Point Nemo was surprisingly pleasant compared to the earlier legs of our journey. The waters were calm, despite the wind and dark clouds that blocked out the sun most days.
WE FINALLY LANDED!!!! Will, the Historian, raced off the boat to kiss the sand, as he read that’s what sailors used to do. The land itself seemed quite pleasant to look at. Plenty of trees and open fields beyond that to start a new life. Of course we packed plenty of supplies on our barge for our initial set of homes. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, but will also have divine purpose.


July 28, 1923

I’ve learned that everyone here has a birthday between mid July and August. A most unusual coincidence. I asked Elder Jonathan. He mentioned that the Slumbering One hails from a star we call Ancha, within the Aquarius constellation. Those of us born when Earth faces that star most directly are most sensitive to His Call.
At first I thought this was malarkey, but at this point, I’m not too sure what not to believe. My reality seems to be in a state of fluctuation. Between the Dream and the odd happenings of the island, I’m about ready to believe anything. Like, there were cows here. Cows! We brought chickens to raise, but cows in this massive number should not exist on such a small island. We slaughtered a few to feast and celebrate, but they didn’t taste… right. They had a kind of fishy taste to them. I mean, they were edible, but since when does beef taste like fish? And this morning there seemed to be more cows than there were on our first day!


July 30, 1923

Sunday. We skipped Church this week. I assumed we did last week because we literally didn’t have one. But now that most of the homes are built (rudimentary homes, but we’re working electricity). I figured someone would at least host. Elder John took the men into the woods today, Will included.

Caroline came by. We read some of the books I had brought from home. She was grateful, since she couldn’t read the books her father had. Not because she couldn’t read, but because they were all in a foreign language that her father was teaching her, but she had only memorized a few words.
I asked her what she wished for on this island. She said more kids to play with. I told her that Will and I were gonna try to help and bring more kids. She knew what I meant and said she couldn’t wait to be a big sister. I told her if our kid was half as good as her, it would be the second best kid on the island.

Will came back around sunset saying they had found the path to the Slumbering One. Elder Jonathan had asked to be left alone there and not to be disturbed until he returned.


August 1, 1923

Three men have disappeared overnight. A search party around the island discovered nothing. Those actively looking have deduced the only place they may be is with Elder Jonathan. They return shortly after setting out, beckoning all of us to see.
There was a chasm. Surrounding it was smooth green stone, seemingly all in one piece forming a ring around the hole. In front of the crowd was a massive altar, circular with stone tentacles reaching out. Will had a shocked look on his face and told me this structure wasn’t here two days ago. There’s no way this could have been built in such a short time.
Elder Jonathan proclaimed that our brothers had sacrificed themselves to receive the blessing of the Slumbering One and that we were graced with this altar and will have an abundant harvest in return.

I’m beginning to feel anxious again.


August 15, 1923

The food here seems to be abundant. Crops grow quickly and disproportionately large. Hogs started to appear as well. Again, with the weird fish taste.
Will told me that she saw someone walking through the village, but it wasn’t someone he recognized. He said it was much taller than any one of us and although there wasn’t a lot of light, he could have sworn it wasn’t wearing any clothes, and that it had gray skin. He did see that whoever it was, they were talking to someone behind the corner of another house.
Caroline was also getting better at reading her dad’s book. She said it was the history of Nemo Point and she thinks she saw something in there about large creatures from the sea, but she couldn’t quite translate it directly.


August 20, 1923

I’m late. I can’t wait to tell Will the big news! It’ll be his birthday surprise tomorrow. William Greene if you read this I swear I will punish you somehow!!!

Caroline is missing. I intend to confront Jonathan about this.

Found a note placed under our front door. It’s from Caroline. She said managed to read more of her father’s tome. She said she learned how to ensure Will and I would have a child and she was going to go forward with the plan. She didn’t specify what it was. I truly hope she didn’t do what I think she did.

Went to the Altar looking for Jonathan, he was nowhere to be found. There was a large splattering of blood, however.

Can’t rest until Caroline or Jonathan are found.


August 21, 1923

Was awakened by knock at door in the dead of night. Caroline was on the other side holding hands with an aberration of a man, tall, grey skin, I think there may have been scales and gills. Eyes were pale, pale grey.

“This was what I told you about with my note. This is C’thralla.” She proceeded to tell me that he is what’s known as a Deep One, and they’ve been known to weave certain aspects of reality itself, aka magic. He only required a blood sacrifice. Since she had a Dream of what Elder Jonathan intended to do (which she didn’t go into), she figured he’d be the best choice.

Both relieved and terrified, but also quite tired from sleep-deprivation, I told her I should take her home. C’thralla said something and headed toward the beach. Caroline giggled and thanked him in a language I’ve never heard. I asked what he said only for her to start being vague and telling me not to worry. I took her to her very relieved parents who thanked me profusely. I gave her a fake scolding and told her not to wander off like that again. She turned and smiled. Perhaps the Slumbering One is watching out for us all. I could have sworn her eyes were silver before I turned away.


March 15, 1928
No, no, no, no, no!!!! The Slumbering One absolutely wasn’t looking out for us! What have we done?! What ha-

„The Journal of Mrs. Greene” by EM Borg

The journey through the forest was long and winding, until they finally reached a place where the earth seemed to exhale dark mysteries. At the heart of the dense foliage, hidden among mighty trees, a fissure in the ground lay open, as if some powerful force from the depths of darkness sought to break free. Some in the group felt fear, while others felt excitement – something extraordinary awaited inside.

They decided to descend into the depths, apprehensive yet simultaneously fascinated by what they might uncover. As they went deeper, they were enveloped by an increasingly dense darkness and chill. The mist hanging in the air had an otherworldly quality, as if it harbored the souls of those who vanished in these shadows centuries ago. Rain began to fall from the sky, striking the leaves and tree roots like streams of hot blood, while the mud on the ground clung to their boots as if trying to stop anyone daring to approach these cursed woods.

Finally, they reached a place that human eyes should never behold. R’lyeh – a city forgotten by time and humanity, the abode of ancient powers that made even the bravest hearts tremble. The walls of the structures seemed to pulse with their own life, and the air was thick with the scent of old mysteries and forgotten fears.

Deep within the city, where sunlight never reached, an impenetrable darkness reigned. The mist hanging calmly in the air had something inhuman about it, as if it concealed the souls of those who vanished in these shadows centuries ago.

The last of the remaining group, leaving this accursed city, understood that R’lyeh was not a place for humans, that its secrets surpassed the bounds of human understanding, and that those who ventured too far were doomed to eternal disappearance in the shadows of eternity. And the city still waited, patiently, for the next unsuspecting souls to dare enter its depths.

Years passed, and the events at R’lyeh faded into the realm of myth and legend. The island resumed its tranquil existence, seemingly untouched by the darkness that had once threatened to consume it. Yet, just when it seemed that peace had settled over the island for good, a series of inexplicable occurrences began to unfold.

Strange phenomena plagued the islanders: mysterious disappearances, eerie whispers in the night, and sightings of shadowy figures lurking in the shadows. Rumors swirled once again, stirring up fears long thought forgotten.

And then, on a moonless night, as the winds whispered secrets through the trees and the waves crashed against the shore with an ominous rhythm, a lone figure emerged from the depths of the forest. Clad in tattered robes and bearing an aura of otherworldly power, they spoke of ancient prophecies and impending doom, warning of a darkness that threatened to engulf the world.

As the islanders gazed upon the mysterious figure, their hearts filled with dread, for they knew that the terrors of R’lyeh terror of R’lyeh had been awakened and was merely biding its time, waiting for the perfect moment to rise again.

And so, the fate of the island hung in the balance, teetering on the brink of oblivion as the ancient forces of R’lyeh stirred once more, ready to unleash their wrath upon the unsuspecting world.

Delilah Hunter, „Echoes of Despair„

As they set sail from the harbor, the sun shone brightly overhead, casting a golden glow on the sparkling waves. Seagulls swooped and called overhead, adding to the lively scene. The salty breeze tousled their hair as they eagerly anticipated the day’s activities.

The group consisted of the eccentric boat captain, Captain Carp, and his three passengers: Bob, who always carried his lucky fishing net, Cindy – a nature enthusiast with her binoculars and a book about fish, and Pete, a somewhat shy crab collector who couldn’t wait to catch a few.

After a few hours of merry crabbing and observing marine life, Pete accidentally stumbled upon a hidden cave on the island’s shore. His crabbing net got tangled in the rocks, prompting him to explore the area to retrieve it. Concerned, his friends followed to help.

Upon reaching the cave, they discovered that it led to the dark depths of R’lyeh, a place only heard of in ancient legends – the resting place of Cthulhu himself! Their reactions were immediate: Bob started screaming, Cindy covered her face with her fish book, and Pete panicked, shouting that they must flee.

They all knew well what to expect from the Elder One, having long delved into knowledge about him and conducted secret rituals. However, the thought of a close encounter with this dark mystery filled them with immense dread and awe.

Captain Carp, more attached to his boat than any mysterious cave, exclaimed, „We should head back to the Winged Crab! There’s no room here for fish we can catch!”

Soon enough, they all realized none of them dared to enter the cave, even if their lives depended on it. Instead, they returned to the boat and sailed away from the island as fast as they could, swearing never to come near that terrifying place again.

Luckily for our friends, they safely made it back home, encountering no monsters or ancient malevolent beings on their way.

Captain Carp, despite his eccentric personality, proved to be an experienced sailor and managed to steer the Winged Crab to safety, far away from any danger or threat. After leaving the island, the group returned to Safe Harbor, regaling the townsfolk with tales of their adventure, albeit omitting the details about the mysterious cave.

Although their hearts raced at the mere thought of encountering Cthulhu, they ultimately didn’t face such drastic events and didn’t awaken the Great One. Instead, stories of their mishap became a popular topic at the local fishing bar, where Captain Carp, Bob, Cindy, and Pete celebrated their happy returns, sharing humor and joy from their successful, albeit somewhat terrifying, crabbing trip.

The Misadventures of Captain Carp and Crew by SunnyDreamer

Their destination was an island, little more than a speck in the vast, uncaring sea. But the worshippers knew it held profound significance – a gateway to the sunken city of R’lyeh and the passage to release their profane idols upon the world once more. As they drew nearer, an unnatural fog seemed to engulf the island, obscuring it from view until the last moment.

As the island’s jagged peaks pierced the horizon, the chanting rose in fervent intensity. The vessel ground against the rocky shore and the cultists disembarked, leaving a trail of footprints in the black volcanic sand. The air was thick with a miasma that stung the eyes and constricted the lungs – an otherworldly reek utterly alien to the natural world.

In the center of the island stood an ominous circle of towering obsidian monoliths, their surfaces carved with grotesque bas-reliefs depicting shambling horrors. Monstrous shapes seemed to shift and undulate in the corner of the eye before resolving once more into cold, motionless stone. The worshippers formed a ring inside the strange ruins, holding their talismans aloft as sacrificial blades were drawn and arcane rites enacted.

When the final drop of blood hit the ground, the earth rumbled and shook violently, as if the island itself were being ripped apart from below. A gaping maw opened in the center of the circle – a vast pit leading down into oblivion. Plumes of green miasma belched forth, carrying the stench of the ocean’s putrid depths and forgotten eons. One by one, the cowled figures leapt willingly into the abyss, chanting praises to the ancient entities slumbering beneath the waves. As the last worshipper descended, a low, resonant pulse thrummed through the pit – a dread clarion call to the fallen city of R’lyeh to awaken and herald the return of the cosmic gods to this plane of reality. And from that yawning chasm, a miasma of pure nihilistic dread began to spread outwards, seeping into the very fabric of reality itself.

Daniel C

They made landfall with the rocks crunching under their boat. The members of the small skiff disembarked and began hauling it up the shore to make room for the rest of the cult. The rocks were slick with seaweed and sea water making progress a challenge. Craig looked back over the water to see the second boat arrive, and the cultists splashed into the water and began making room for the rest of the cult. Craig watched as a blue finned crest broke the surface a few feet from the shore.

Craig watched as the fin drew closer and raised itself out of the water. The creature had deep blue glimmering skin. It had a crested fish head, with almond eyes and short whiskers reminiscent of a catfish. Behind the crest Craig saw thin hair like tendrils dripping with water. It was humanoid in shape with long lanky arms ending in webbed talons. The creatures belly was a softer shade of blue. Its webbed feet slapped onto the rocks and the creature scanned the shore until its eyes locked on Craig. The eyes were a dark firey-blood red orange. Had Craig been a normal person he would probably start to panic at seeing such a creature. But he was no ordinary man, he lead the Cult, and his mind was open and free. 

The creature began to approach him its wet feet slapping against the rocks. Craig watched fascinated as it came up to him. It stood in front of him easily two feet taller than him at an impressive six foot four. Then to his surprise it kneeled, and a gurgling female voice coming from its wide fish mouth said “We have been waiting for you, the one with the key, the one who will awaken our Lord”. Craig smiled and placed a hand gently on her shoulder. Her cool slimy skin sent an electric shiver through his arm. “I-we have come.” he gestured with his other hand to the humans still in their boats. “For our lords time is nigh.” 

As more of the cult made landfall Craig took a step back and waved for the creature before him to rise “Please there’s no need for such formalities, stand, my name is Craig. What can I call you?” as the creature stood it spoke, its voice coming out a bit clearer and less like it was gurgling. “I forget what my name once was, but call me” she hesitated for a moment “Call me Ashel, that is the closest to my new name that can be said with human speech” 

Craig noticed the what were once feminine features, the fish-like appearance was not as strong this close, he could see how this had once been a human but now she was something else, something greater. “Forgive me but what are you? I’ve seen Deep ones before but you are not one of them.” Ashel nodded. “I am not a Deep One I am a Gishal, the deep ones are our cousins so to speak but we are Gifted” Her English was getting clearer but had a rasping reverberation to it. “We are all Servants of the Great One all the same” Craig said as he looked out into the bay as more cultists and creatures of the deep came ashore. 

There were all sorts of beings rising from the waters, some were small, the size of a dog or cat. One was large at least ten feet and a hulking brutish creature. Craig had never seen anything like this. He recognized traits of sea life in all the creatures. Some had features of sharks, squid, crabs, manta rays and he even saw a small creature that just looked like an aquatic cat.  More and more boats came ashore their occupants helping each other and even some of the more humanoid creatures helping the unchanged humans. Craig assumed most, if not all of the humanoid creatures were once human, given a gift to dwell in the deeps or their descendants.
Soon the shore was full of a countless multitude of creatures. Many were of the same species but there were numerous ones that were individuals in their own right that seemed to not have another creature with the same shape or form to indicate being related at all.  Craig stood next to Ashel and watched as the vast number of cultist quieted down. “We gather now to awaken our lord!” Craig yelled out to the masses. Craig reached into his robe pocket and pulled out what appeared to be a sort of box. 

Craig held the object in the air, it had a metallic look but was a deep sea green. It almost appeared as a box but didn’t seem to conform to the shape of a box, its angles were wrong, appearing to have too many sides, not enough sides and no sides at all. To any sane person viewing such an object would make them sick and slowly eat away at their sanity, and it had. The not-a-box-box had driven an untold number of people and animals insane over countless millennia. Craig held the box high for all to see “With this we shall enter R’lyeh!” A gasp came from his right “The Box of Sarron!” Ashel stared in amazement at the object. 

The Box was the size of a large fruit and was covered in glyphs, runes and images. Craig began to slide and rotate pieces of the Box, it had reminded him of the children’s brain teaser toys that when done correctly would open up or have matching colors on an entire side. After a few minutes the Box made a clicking noise and the angle Craig was looking at began to shimmer. 
“This way! It has revealed the land and at its center, the location to our Lord!” Craig called out to the gathered worshipers. Craig began walking further inland over slippery rocks and up into the treacherous looking land. Behind him he heard Ashels webbed feet slapping onto the rocks following him, then he heard hundreds of other feet as a procession began making their way up the beach.

The wind howled through the massive rocky land, creating a whistling sound, Craig was thankful to have his heavy robe to shield him and his human companions against the wind, but as he held the Box up to guide him he felt a splash as the raid began to fall. He sighed hoping the raid would stay light for as long as possible. He didn’t want his robes to soak up a bunch of rain and become water logged. Soon the box-map, led them to a forked path, the left path lead to tunnel that was half filled with water, the right led up into a craggy hill. Craig had stopped and looked from one path to anther.

“Which way do we take?” Ashel asked, coming up beside him,  next to her Craig spotted a large creature with a snake like lower body but large muscular torso with bulging arms, it had an eels head and fins sprouting off of its body. Craig blinked for a second and looked down at the Box. After studying the object for a moment Craig looked up at Ashel “Both paths lead to entrance to R’lyeh from the looks of it. I think we can take whichever path is easiest to traverse.” Ashel nodded and turned to the creature next to her and spoke in a hissing gurgle. The creature nodded its big head and barked out in a low growl 

“I have instructed those capable to take the right path. While we’ve encountered nothing dangerous yet its possible there are dangers we have not yet seen” Ashel said. “I had not thought of that, I assumed anything within the area of the city would be an ally to us and our Lord” Craig responded with a frown. “Alright, I recommend those of us without the Gift of the Deep take the right path up into the crags, but you’re free to choose whichever path you want. Those with the Gift will divide between the two paths and we will all make our way to the same location. I have been informed there could be enemies of the Lord here so keep a watchful eye out.” Craig called out to those within ear shot. “Tell those behind you and let us continue!” With that Craig began walking the right path followed by Ashel and the large snake like creature. 

The rain and wind soon began to increase in intensity, Craigs robes began to get very heavy with the added weight of the rain. As the procession trudged, hopped and slithered along Craig began to feel uneasy, like he was being watched. A strong arm suddenly grabbed Craig and yanked him backwards, with a yelp Craig fell against a strong muscled body without a moment to spare as a large pincer at least six feet long crashed down in the spot he had just been. From the rock face a large insect like creature with a rain slicked obsidian black shell broke away. Craig couldn’t tell how large it was but it was easily over fifteen feet tall. 
“Get back! Let the Gifted ones handle this!” Ashel grunted as she pulled him away. Craig watched as a large four legged creature with a shark like head, large fish finned back, long cat like claws and a tail with a stinger charged forward followed by multiple bulky snake eel beings and various other creatures leapt between Craig and the towering insect. 

With a roar the large insect slapped away the shark headed creature against the wall. Craig hadn’t noticed it before but many of the Gifted Ones had weapons, ranging from tridents, to swords and clubs. Howls of pain escaped from the insect as a trident was pierced a joint in its pincer arm. Its carapace was thick and most of the sharp weapons did little to harm the creature if it they weren’t directed into the soft vulnerable places. A Gishel ran forward and swung a large spiked mace at the creatures legs and Craig heard a crack and the insect howled in pain. 

Green blood began to ooze from the shattered carapace, in retaliation the insect snapped at the Gishel and crushed its head. The Gifted ones quickly swarmed around the giant insect, hacking and slashing. Craig could hear its carapace covered body beginning to crack. He heard it howl in pain under the onslaught unfolding upon it. The insect reared back and sprayed a jet of thick green slime onto the attackers directly in front of it.

Craig heard the bubbling of flesh as the Gifted ones howled in pain, it had sprayed them with some sort of acid and it began tearing into them with mad vigor. Craig heard a roar and felt the ground tremble as a hulking behemoth barreled into the insect. The massive behemoth had a large snake like head with a crested fin running along its spine, its dark blue scales shimmered in the rain. It wasn’t as tall as the insect but it had large brute muscles under its scales, its fore limbs were massive and ended in thick clawed fingers. It swung at the insect, knocking its head to the side and barreled it over. The snake head began pummeling the insect spraying thick green ooze with each crack of its carapace. 

The snake head grabbed one of the insects back legs and ripped it off tossing it to the side. The insect howled in pain and tried to scramble onto its remaining limbs. The hulking snake head raised both of its fist above its head and slammed down onto the insects back with the sound of shattering stone. The insect howled and the snake head grabbed it by the head and began to squeeze. With a bone jarring roar the snake head obliterated the insects head. The insects body shuddered and fell to the ground twitching. 

Craig watched in fascination, as the hulking creature poked at the dead insect, as if expecting it to start fighting again. Craig had never seen anything like he had just witnessed before.  He felt a strong hand gently shaking his shoulder. He looked up at Ashel, and wiped the rain from his face “Th-thank you, you saved my life!” Craigs breathing was ragged, the adrenaline was still flooding his system from the near death experience. “Wait here, calm down, relax” Ashel stood and trotted over to the Gifted ones that had fought against the insect. Craig stayed on the ground his back pressed against the rocks. He heard Ashel talking in their language and inspecting the survivors. “Craig are you alright?” he heard a voice call out and heard the wet footsteps as one of his priest came running up to him. The dark skinned man crouched down next to him and gently braced a hand against his shoulder. “I’m fine thanks to the Gifted ones. James, are any of the Ungifted injured?”  James nodded. “Nothing serious  just a few scrapes and bruises from flying debris.”  Craig noded and leaned his head back against the rock trying to slow his breathing. 
Ashel came back over to Craig and James “We have suffered a few losses, and many more injuries but not as many as I had fear with facing one of the Crithak.” Craig had finally gotten his breathing to slow. “That thing nearly killed me, please, thank the Gifted for defending us.” Craig said as he brought himself to his feet. Craig had somehow managed to keep a hold of the Box through out the commotion and examined it. The glow was begging to dim, soon they would meet up with the group that had split from them. 

Craig gave a quick speech thanking the Gifted that had sacrificed themselves and fought bravely for their lord. Ashel repeated the speech in the Gifted Ones language which he was thankful for. After expressing his gratitude and letting everyone know the deaths and injuries would not be in vain they continued their pilgrimage. The rain became more intense the deeper inland they trekked, slowing the Ungifted down as it soaked into their heavy cult robes. 

The path wound up and down, through tunnels which he wasn’t sure the Gifted could squeeze through. Craig continued to scan the rock walls looking for another of the Crithak or anything that might be out of place. But between the rain and howling wind it was impossible for him to tell. The Tunnel soon began to widen, Craig noticed the rain never seemed to pool anywhere. He suspected there were small tunnels the water was running into that drained somewhere. The procession came to a stop when in front of them was a smooth flat wall. 

“Search the wall for any irregularities!” Craig called out. He heard Ashel call something out, presumably the same thing. As Gifted and Ungifted alike began spreading out searching high and low along the wall. Craig was scanning every inch within his line of sight and running his hands along the surface. He couldn’t believe how smooth the rock was. It was smoother than glass. It was so smooth the rain water didn’t even bead up on its surface. They had been searching the wall for nearly twenty minutes hen he heard “Here! Over here!” Craigs head whipped to his left as he saw an Ungifted pointing to the spot she was at. Craig ran over his soggy shoes squelching with every step. He came to a halt and saw nothing. He frowned at the section of wall she was pointing at “I don’t see anything!” he called out over the rain and wind. 

A small Gifted, no taller than four feet was also pointing at the wall. Craig was soon joined by Ashel as they examined the wall. Ashel ran her hand over the rock and her eyes went wide “It is here!” she yelled with excitement. Craig reached out and placed his palm against the wall. His eyes also went wide, there was something there, an imperfection in the wall. He raised the Box up and placed it against the wall. It was roughly the same size but wasn’t quite right. He quickly began to shift the pieces of box, until he felt a click. And the side he was looking at began to glow. 
“The others have arrived!” Ashel called out to him, Craig looked back and saw the second contingent of the cult making their way through the rain. They waited patiently as the two groups became one gain. “Bishop Craig!” He heard a voice call out. Craig spotted a waving figure and noticed it was one of younger members, Dorthy was her name. She came running up and gave a slight bow. “Sorry were late, we were attacked by a Crithak, I think is what they called it. A giant blue insect, we lost a quarter of our number before we were able to bring it down .” Craig Nodded solemnly, we will not let their sacrifices be in vain, for we are here!” He pointed at the wall. Craig stepped up to the wall, then turned to face the Cult. “For untold millennia our Lord has been waiting for this day. We all heard His Call, and we have answered. All who have joined our cause has sacrificed much, and many have gained more!” Craig raised the Box into the air, he noticed the rain and wind had stopped, as if even the elements knew it was time. Craig placed the glowing side of the box against the imperfection in the wall.

Where the Box had touched the wall a ripple moved out spreading far and wide. Then a second blue ripple, then a third green ripple. The ripples bounced back into itself causing the wall to move and  fall into itself. With each bounce of the ripple more and more of the wall faded away. The box clattered to the stone. Before the cult was a stone walkway leading into a massive hole that was at least two hundred feet wide. In the center of the hole was a spire dozens of feet across spiraling downward into the depths. The sides of the hole had great water falls, which could have been ocean or rain water.

Craig collected the box back into his hand and began walking slowly into the cavern. A green glow emitted from the bottom of the shaft. The spiral stair case was cut from stone and went hundreds of feet down. With a wide smile Craig began the journey downward. The stone steps were slick with dew, yet not a single Gifted or Ungifted lost their footing. The universe knew it was time, their Lord would awaken and be set free from his slumber. 

When they reached the bottom of the spiral stair case Craig noticed the water crashing down around him. The green light emitting from a pool and yet the sound of water crashing should be deafening but it was queit. Craig approached the edge of the pool the surface of the water was more like a field of energy. There was another long stone walk way going down and up at the same time. Perception was wrong here, like the box he held in his hand. All around him he saw a city of stone with angles and corners that should not be. At the far end of the path was a door. The pilgrimage was at an end all Craig had to do was unlock that door and their Lord would be free. 

Craig led the procession along the path. R’lyeh was incomprehensible to his human mind, he didn’t need to understand it though he just need to fulfill his duty. When Craig reached the door it loomed before him, and yet he looked at it as if it were any normal sized door. Craig lifted the box and began to slide pieces and sides around, twisting, pulling and pushing against the box. With a final click the box began to glow from all sides. It began to float into the air and rapidly spin its sides spinning outward opening. With a loud whirring and intense green flash the box snapped back together. A single piece glowing a color Craig did not have a name for, a color he had never seen. Tears began to pour down his face as the box gently fell into his out stretched palms. Craig lifted the box and placed it against the door. It slid into the key hole. Craig didn’t question where the hole had come from. 

A split formed in the door light following pathways along to imperceptible edges and corners. A loud hiss escaped from the splitting doors and mist began to snake out. Craig looked up into Door way and saw massive glowing eyes and in those eyes Craig saw nothing, and everything, Cthulhu had awoken. 

Answering the Call by Vrastal.