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Posts: 376
Join Date: Oct 2008
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Johnny Reb in 'Return to the Lost Valley' Part 3
Character Created by Tim Frady / Story by Wayne Clayton
He had come to the Jungles of South America to drive from his mind the hellish vista of endless seas of mud and despair. He had sort to see the wonderous hues of green instead of the storm greys of war, but in its stead in the heart of the jungle he had stumbled upon that self same nightmare locked in the very walls of this hidden valley. And even as Johnny Reb stumbled through the mire he found himself hounded still more by the hollow laughter of some unseen terror.
"Come out and show yourself" cried Johnny as he twisted to catch glimpse of his invisilbe tormentor.
"Who are you? The Cheshire Cat? Face me like a man"
Suddenly the valley grew dark as the globe of light above began to dim until there remained only a pale spotlight upon the spot were Johnny stood. Beyond that circle of light was nothing but blackness.
Then the laughter stopped and was replaced by the thunderous chords of some giant being.
" I AM KILARATUU...WHO DARES ENTER MY DOMAIN?"
Johnny turned, to his amazement he now saw a vast disembodied head hover above him. Its features broad, round like those found in some eastern temple.
" Johnny Reb dares" spat Johnny in reply.
Once more there was a peel of laughter.
"JO..HN..NY RE..B?" The giant rolled out the words as if to feel there shape and texture upon his tounge.
"AH YES..JOHNNY REB..THE CURSED MAN"
Johnny took a step back as he was hit by a wave of unease.
"You..you know me?"
"KILARATUU SEES ALL, WATCHES ALL..REMEMBERS ALL"
As he spoke images began to appears all round Johnny, images of men fighting and within each Johnny saw himself at the heart of the battle surrounded by faces he knew, men he had called friend but now he struggled even to recall their names.
"What is this?" ask Johnny as still more images of his adventures flashed before him.
" I HAVE WATCHED ALL UNFOLD FROM THE TIME BEFORE MAN WALKED THE EARTH. I HAVE SEEN THEIR EMPIRES RISE AND FALL. I AM KILARATUU SCRIBE OF HISTORY"
More and more images flashed into existance.So unlike the flickering black and white moving pictures he had seen in the flea pits of Paris, these where in vivid colour so real he could almost touch them. Scenes of ancient landscapes and cities. Forgotten wars and places lost beneath vast oceans long ago in earth history.
Johnny's head was begining to spin with all the wonders he now saw.
"STOP!!" cried Johnny.
One by one the pictures faded back into darkness leaving only the head of Kilaratuu looming over Johnny.
"You have recorded all earths history?" Johnny asked.
"YES" Bellowed Kilaratuu.
Was it possible? thought Johnny
"And what of the Red Coats who attacked me? Were they real?"
"NO, MERELY AN ILLUSION OF REALITY"
"Why?"
"THE CREATOR OF KILARATUU WISHED IT SO "
"The Creator?"
"EVEN AS THE EARTH WAS BEEN FORMED THE CREATOR MADE ME TO WATCH OVER IT. SO THAT THROUGH ME ONE DAY MANKIND WOULD KNOW THEIR TRUE HISTORY"
"This Creator where is he now?" ask Johnny.
"HE.. IS.. GONE" Boom the giant head.
"Gone where?"
"I... DO NOT... KNOW"
For a moment Johnny thought he heard a touch of emotion ring through the hollow voice of his mysterious host.
"I thought you saw all things, how could you not know where he went?" questioned Johnny.
"WHEN THE EARTH WAS YOUNG THE CREATOR MADE ME ONE HUNDRED EYES FOR WHICH TO SEE. THESE HE PLACED IN THE HEAVENS CIRCLING HIGH ABOVE LOOKING DOWN UPON ALL MANKIND. ONE DAY THE CREATOR ROSE UP INTO THE HEAVENS. KILARATUU WAS NOT MADE TO LOOK BEYOND THE SKIES AND SO LOST SIGHT OF THE CREATOR"
"Do you know if he will ever return?"
"NNOOOOOO" replied the hovering head his voice echoing around the hidden walls of the valley in the darkness.
"You have no means to contact him?"
"NOOO"
"How long have you been here alone?"
"SINCE THE DAWN OF MANKIND"
Kilaratuu paused and bent his head down toward Johnny.
"BUT KILARATUU IS NO LONGER ALONE...FOR I KNOW ..YOU JOHNNY REB..THE CURSED MAN...IMMORTAL SON OF MANKIND... HAVE BEEN CHOSEN FIRST AMONGST ALL OTHERS"
"Chosen? For what?" Johnny asked uneasily.
"THE CREATOR SAID THAT IF HE 'DID NOT RETURN THEN HE WOULD SEND A NEW CREATOR...ONE THAT WOULD ...SERVICE ME'... ONE THAT WOULD STAY WITH KILARATUU UNTIL THE END OF TIME... YOU JOHNNY REB ARE THAT CHOSEN ONE"
Johnny froze at the words as once again the chilled laughter of Kilaratuu began to resound around the Lost Valley and his head began to fade into the darkness leaving only his flickering smile to taunt him.
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