Long Live The Queen

Far above the dense jungle of Atlantis the artificial lights began flickering ever so slightly before dimming, signifying night. The fanned air felt cool without the warmth of the light, and yet the darkness also brought blissful ignorance. Fenrir walked quietly amongst the foliage, the only sound emitting from him the quite metal clanking of his chains. Though not completely uninformed on the new location, it was the first time he had stood in front of the ever growing crack within the underwater fortresses' walls. It towered above him, even in the fake moonlight a sight to behold. Just a single crack, and yet seeing as it was holding back millions of gallons of sea water, a terrifying prospect it was there at all. 

 

Even with the lights off the crack wasn't left unattended. Both outsiders and Atlantians together seemed to be doing their best to patch the hole and prevent what seemed to be inevitable. Fenrir watched on, the dome was a wonder, but his doubts of their ability to fix the issue lingered on. Surely a bunch of dinosaurs and animals had no chance in preventing what was to come... right?

 

Fenrir found himself lost in thought, though the moment was short as a light coo pulled him from his mind. Looking towards the noise a small money sat within a tree nearby, studying Fenrir closely, almost as if deciding if he was friend or foe. Fenrir looked on, his red eyes unblinding at the creature, he was dangerous by nature. Though he did all he could to be a good soul, the disease that ailed him meant his sanity could slip at any moment, leaving him a mindless monster. And yet, the monkey showed no fear staring back, as if it knew he meant no harm, intentional or not. 

 

After a moment it let out another soft coo before gesturing Fenrir to follow it with a waving motion. In an instant it took off, closer to the crack, not bothering to check if Fenrir was following or not. Hesitation gripped Fenrir, if he lost it to his disease around so many others, who is to say he couldn't seriously hurt someone? Let alone with so many against him, there was a good chance he'd be killed himself, and yet he found himself following the monkey. Perhaps helping this community would be a way of him atoning for his sins? At least on the surface, he didn't think it would hurt. 

 

Swinging from vine to vine the monkey made quick headway towards the crack, Fenrir's hesitation causing him to fall behind, forcing him to sprint just to catch up. Just as he followed however the creature seemed to disappear in the blind of an eye, though before Fenrir could slow himself to try to find it he found himself pushing his way into the clearing directly in front of the crack. From a far it had been clear the people of this dome were busy, but up close it was a mad house. There were easily a hundred dinosaurs and monkeys, all doing what they could to stop the flood. Monkeys were making sure of their thumbs, mixing together different types of muds and natural cements, where as larger dinosaurs like iggies, theris, and acros were pushing boulders and trees closer to the fracture point, almost working as a make shift scaffolding for the smaller dinosaurs. The Atlantians were working almost as a well oiled machine, all in unison, no mistakes. It was easier to tell the outsiders like Fenrir that had decided to help. Their work was much sloppier, but they were doing their best all the same.

 

In the middle of the clearing stood a purple and white iguanodon, clearly the one in charge. She was directing groups of dinosaurs with commands, tactically considering what would be the most effective way to save not only her own home, but the home of her people. Cautiously Fenrir approached, his mind a storm, hesitation gripping his chest. What if he got in the way? What if he lost his mind? What if? What if? WHAT IF? Before he could think any further he blinked and was stood directly in front of the iggy. As she barked commands to another nearby group, the turned towards the new comer, her eyes both kind, but full of determination. 

 

"State your business." Her words boomed, rattling Fenrir's very bones.

 

"I... I want to help fix the breach." Fenrir stated, his mind still uncertain but his words coming out much more confident.

 

The large female iggy stood there for a moment, looking Fenrir up and down before speaking again, "Outsider, I will allow you to help. But cross me and my people, and I will not hesitate to do what needs to be done." She didn't have to elaborate any further for him to understand what she meant by her words.

 

"Yes ma'am." Fenrir barked the words like an obedient dog, trying to show his intentions were pure. 

 

A smile crept across her face before she spoke again, "I am Queen Rhys. Though I would love to become further acquainted with you, there is much that needs done." As she spoke her eyes trailed the base of the crack all the way to the top. It was clearly growing. The once slow trickle of salt water, now a small stream. Even the plants in the area seemed to be dying off from the sudden introduction of salt to their soils. "If you are strong, bring us rocks and clay. If you are more nimble with your hands help the monkeys in applying the paste directly to the crack."

 

Before Fenrir could even open his mouth to respond she turned from him and began barking orders at another bunch of dinosaurs approaching. Fenrir had his task now, all he had to do was help.

 

Though not as strong as some of the larger species in the dome, Fenrir was still a force to be reckoned with. As he turned towards the crack he observed carefully to see what exactly they needed to patch this mess. Though he looked for only a moment it was clear to see the items they were using. Seemed like a mix of clays, mashed up rocks, even ground down organic materials like bone and plant seemed to be used. He just had to start bringing what he could back. The only problem was he wasn't sure how he would get it back efficiently. 

 

As though reading his mind a familiar coo echoed within his ear. Looking up the same monkey that had led him hear was now standing behind him, holding what looked like a make-shift sled. The large chuck of bark with thick vines attached meant he'd be able to put everything he needed onto it, then it was just a matter of pulling it back for it to be used. 

 

Fenrir nodded politely to the monkey before taking the vine within his mouth and hurrying off back within the jungle for needed supplies. His doubts still lingered, but he hoped his help in all of this would at the very least make a difference. If not to him, but for all those who call Atlantis home.