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Johnny Reb in 'Return to the Lost Valley' Part 4
Character by Tim Frady Story by Wayne Clayton
Johnny now found himself alone it seemed in the void of the sprawling valley, gone was the jungle paradise, gone to was the sea of mud. Now beneath his feet he felt nothing but cold hard stone. In the pale light of the artifical sun he could no longer see where he had entered into this nightmare.
What was this creature he had encounted here in the darkness? Was it a creature at all? It had spoken of been made by a Creator. Did it mean it was a machine or was it speaking of some higher being? If it was a mechanical invention then it was unlike any he had ever seen. Was it possible to create a machine that had the illusion of being able to not only speak but reason as if truely alive.
What ever the truth may be it was clear to Johnny that the countless eons of which it claimed it had resided here in the heart of the jungle had lead to some sort of madness. Johnny could only imagine what an eternity alone would do to a mans mind. Made worse prehaps by Kilaratuu's claim of apparent Omnipotence over the world and its strange powers of creating the illusion of life here in the valley.
Regardless of the cause Kilaratuu was intent on keeping him captive against his will. Its mention of Johnny been the Chosen One seemed to him just as much an illusion as the apemen he had seen earlier, one which Kilaratuu seemed happy to entertain in its present state of mind. It was maybe also due to the notion it had that Kilaratuu and Johnny shared the self same curse of apparent immortallity. Who better to choose as a constant companion over the time yet to come. And in some ways Johnny could sympathize with this creatures plight. He too had often longed for a companion who could like himself resist the march of time and who Johnny would not have to watch wither and die before his eyes.
Reb blundered into the darkness in search of the golden path by which he had entered. But the blackness seemed without end. As he felt his way he was aware of stars begining to form in the lofty vaults above his head. Then the globe that had acted as the sun now began to once more grow bright. Johnny watched in wonder as one by one strange worlds began to orbit this new Sun.
Were these the wonders Kilaratuu had promised him?
As if in answer to his question the voice of Kilaratuu boomed once more.
"THE CREATOR WITNESSED THE CREATION OF THIS WORLD AND GAVE IT AS A GIFT TO KILARATUU. NOW I GIVE IT AS A GIFT TO YOU JOHNNY REB"
Looking up Johnny saw the swirling clouds of solar dust form around a fractured mass of shattered debris which circled the sun. Johnny felt as if he was himself set adrift in space, floating weightless in its vacuum, flying amongst the stars. As he watch the planet form he wondered if he was wrong to try escape this valley of wonders. After been witness to the horrors of the Great War had he not sort to escape his fellow man, was this not the ultimate escape?
What reason had he to return to the world outside. Who would miss Johnny Reb? Who in time would remember him? The temptation to hide himself away from it all was all too easy. Who would be fool enough to turn his back on Paradise? Even one made of smoke and mirrors.
Johnny shook his head trying to shake the thoughts from his mind. He was Johnny Reb, the 'Rebel', he was a free man, he would not be a pet for some delusional floating head.
"Turn it off, I don't want to see any more" growled Johnny
"WHAT?? WHO WOULD DEFY KILARATUU'S WILL?" The great head once more manifested itself before Johnny.
"Johnny Reb defies it, I'm not yours to control, I'm not some puppet you've conjured out of thin air. I'm a free man an I'll go where I please whether you like it or not. Now show me the way out of this hall of mirrors" raged Johnny.
For a moment Kilaratuu remained silent as he watch Johnny begin to storm off into the darkness. But the peace was all too short.
"YOU ARE WRONG CURSED MAN, BEHOLD!!!" the sound of his voice rolled like thunder around the hidden walls.
Suddenly the darkness errupted into light. The stone beneath Johnny's feet began to change into the sands of some ancient arena. The walls of the valley transformed into that of a open aired temple, and above it all seated upon the alter at it's head was the carved effigy of Kilaratuu.
Johnny blinked into the light as the burning globe above mirrored the white light of noon. When he opened his eyes he found he was no longer alone.
"YOU SAY YOU ARE NOT MINE TO CONTROL JOHNNY REB, YOU ARE WRONG!!!"
Kilaratuu's words echoed throughout the temple but his voice did not issue from that of the head floating above. His words came from the mouth of the man stood before Johnny. A man Johnny recognised as HIMSELF!!!!
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