Chapter 6_2

"Oh yeah, speaking of new adventures, i have got many letters just for you." James

They were now done with lunch as james mentioned about a letter

"I see. I will take a look at that later, but right now, i want to enjoy some quality time with my family and myself." Josh said with a smile

Happy about what they heard, they all kept quiet.

"Anyways, who is that letter from?" Josh

"They are from many people, but there is one i do recognize, and his name is justin rewind." James

"Oh, him. I remember him from my adventure to eldorado." Josh

"So he is the one you mentioned as the australian billionaire or millionaire who asked for a reporter to document his achievements." James

"Yup, hes the one." Josh

"He personally visited you here only to find that you were out on a mission, what bad timing he had." Jade

"Well, he took a liking to you anyways jade." Eva

"Hey! I thought we arent going to let him know about it!" Jade said pouting

"Haha, whats wrong with me knowing?" Josh

"Yes, whats wrong with him knowing jade? Its not as if he has one of his own." James said with a laugh

"Haha, yeah." Josh said with his poker face and just laughed a little

"Anyways, the letter is right at your room josh, i took the pleasure of reading all the letters and they are all safe." James

"Whats the gist of all they said?" Josh

"Just either come to egypt or to the pacific ocean, just like you said in your interview with sheryl gnome." James

"Yeah, everyone is seriously busy ever since what you said ya. In your interviews and in the awards ceremony. There is now even a fan site all about you ya." Jade

"wow, thats good for them. Though there will always be people which will bash me with what I do.” josh

“dont worry about that ya, your doing great!” jade

“though you should really take home a girl by now son!” james said with a smile

“yeah ya, you should really take home a girl! With all this mission stuff, even we are starting to wonder if those missions are just right for you.” jade

“hahh.. anyways, lets just open the store now so that we can earn.” josh said standing up

“ya, we are millionaires now! We shouldnt have to work for a while!” jadesaid with confidence

“jade, im saving all that money for a purpose. So we shouldnt relax from our duties in earning money everyday. There are no shortcuts in life you know.” josh

“ouch, you just have to hurt where it hurts. Haha.” jade said with a smile

“haha, lets just open the store now, man I miss this place.” josh said as he walks towards the screen door

After that, during the night, he then read the letters and emails that came from many people, including justin rewind. All of which were gisted as such:

“dear josh mavric, I or we and my team are going on an expedition towards egypt and the pacific ocean as you have predicted for us. I or We have already made a team, so if only you could protect us and guide us towards the lost city of atlantis, it would be great! Please do contact us for an arrangement for a ticket.”

As for the military:

“sir josh mavric, this is the US military, we request of you to monitor the progress of the rest of those whom you are responsible for. Please note that this is also a mission, whether you accept it or not depends on you. You already know the mission details, just contact us for anymore information. Good luck!”

“hahh.. this is a bit troublesome, so will just take the mission after 3 days.” josh said on his bed

After contacting the team and letting them know he will be there on a mission and only after 3 days, he then contacted the military on his response, before watching anime on his bed and relaxed to his hearts content.

3 days later, he got a plane ticket towards egypt and flew there. And there, at the airport, justin rewind himself waited for him to arrive.
”man, im really glad you got my letter, cause all that we can every see are rock and pyramids.” justin

They were both now in the jeep, along with his driver and body guard, headed towards where the team is.

“So where are we headed now?” josh

“i don’t know, the team are all just waiting for your arrival. We also just got here.” justin

“are the other teams here yet?” josh

“yes, they are. Though just like the time with eldorado, those other teams just made their team small, but this time, the teams are from around the world.” justin

“i see. Would you like me to ask the souls now?” josh

“now? We are still going down the road, so maybe when the whole team is there.” justin

“ok then.” josh said as he laid himself back on his seat

After some time in traffic, They then arrived at the hotel where they were staying at.

“were here josh, I have already contacted them all and said to meet in the couples room.” justin

They were now inside the hotel lobby after a long ride.

“where is that?” josh

“the room is in the third floor. Anyways, lets get you a room first.” justin said as he pushes josh towards the reception

“just answer me this first, when will I ask the souls?” josh

“well, can we save that until the whole team is here? Maybe by tomorrow? They are resting right now so I don’t want to disturb them.” justin said sweating

“hahh.. fine. For now, I will sleep in my room.” josh

They then got their card keys in the reception and slept for the night. The next day, justin gathered everyone into the lobby of the hotel.

“hi josh! Good morning! Did you have a good nights sleep?” justin said who were sitting across a couple in casual attire

They were now at the big hotel lobby where the whole team has now gathered, where josh just got there as well.

“yeah, and where are the other team members?” josh said after yawning

“they are right here with me, these two and you are the team.” justin

“if your joking, then im leaving.” josh said about to leave

“wait! Im not joking! This is the advance team! I plan to hire men right after we discover the lost city.” justin said as he holds on to josh hand

“hahh.. then? Who are they?” josh said referring towards the couple

“they are part of the team, this is andrew fur and his wife, mae.” justin said with a gesture

“howdy josh, I have seen and heard all about you on TV.” andrew

“yes, your quite the star now arent you?” mae

“nope, im just doing my job. Anyways, what are your jobs here?” josh

“both of us are archeologists and researchers of historical value.” mae

“but nowadays, when the age of archeology is very poor and not popular, we just study historical items.” andrew said with a gesture

“i see. Anyways, when can I ask the souls about the lost city?” josh said looking at justin

“when we get to the location.” justin said with suspense

“what location?” josh
”you will see, guys, lets all have some breakfast first before heading off. I hear that the buffet here is delish.” justin said as he stood up

After they had breakfast, they then go towards the outskirts of cairo where they stopped at a local village, where an old man lives.

“uhh.. justin, what are we doing here?” josh said as he stayed on the jeep while the others came down

“this is the location that I have been referring to you about josh.” justin said as he walks towards the house

“huh?” josh was only confused

“come down here for a sec josh, I want you to meet someone.” justin said pointing towards the door

“alright then. If your just wasting my time, you know I can just get out of here.” josh said getting down of the jeep

“how? In the middle of nowhere where all you have is our driver?” justin said with confidence

“well, I have my own means of doing some things. Anyways, what are we here for?” josh

“we are here to talk to the souls of ancients, just like what you did. Though this time, I just want to make sure.” justin

“hahh.. just how careful are you anyways sir justin?” mae

“i have already learned my lesson after all from my previous adventure with josh, on how to spend money wisely.” justin said with a smile
”hahh.. fine, let get it over with.” josh said as they all go inside the house

“what do you want?” a young boy said in arabic

“is your grandfather around? Were here for his divinition.” justin

“alright, you sit there. I bring baba here.” the young boy said as he points to the floor and speaking in english

With them seated, the young boy then gets the old man from inside the house. After a few minutes of waiting, the old man appeared along with the young boy.

“i am akila ammon, he is baba ammon, my grandpa.” he said after both of them sat on the floor

“ok akila, can you translate for us what your grandpa will say to us?” justin

“sure!” akila

“can I talk with baba?” josh

“whoa.. what will you do? Does your abilities extend to language as well?” justin said being shocked

“calm down. my ability is just to auto translate, so I can converse with just about anyone even though im only using english.” josh said, bringing himself forward

“what you want? Only I speak for baba!” akila

“young akila, can I speak with your grandpa?” josh

“no, only I speak! You don’t know arabic!” akila

“dont worry, we can work things out just fine.” josh said before he looked at baba. “old man, can you show us the way to the lost city here in egypt?”

“how do I do that?” baba

“Can you ask the spirits?” josh

“yes, I can.” baba said before facing akila. “get my things, I will need them.”

“y-yes grandpa.” akila said as he couldn’t contain his surprise

“my word, how could you even know what hes talking josh?” andrew said as all 3 of them were speechless

“like I said, I have auto translate with me.” josh said with a smile

“i got them!” akila said after arriving with a bowl and a pipe

“then, lets start.” baba said before he lights up the pipe with some herbs

As baba seeps into the pipe, he then had a sensation of light headedness, before doing the ceremony of reciting ancient words and calling forth souls.

“the lost city you are searching for is in baris.” baba said

“he said that the lost city is in Baris, justin.” josh said to justin

“i see. Well, you also do your stuff!” justin said with a gesture

“hahh.. amateurs.” josh said in japanese
”what did you say?” justin

“nothing, it means nothing. Anyways, here I go.” josh said as he goes to concentrate. “calling of souls!” he said under his breath

With that, all the souls within the area gathered towards him.

“what is it that you seek?”

“i seek the lost city in these parts, do you know where I could find it?” josh

There were then murmurs among souls.

"Are you sure to ask this question o innocent soul?" Said one of the souls

"Yes, thou it is they who will do the discovery. And its high time that the city is discovered right?" Josh said pointing to the team

"You will regret this, so would you still like to know?"

"Hmm.." josh thought about it for a second as the rest of them wonders what he is doing. "Are you guys sure you would like to really know?" He said to the team

"Yes, i would like to really know josh, now give me the location." Justin said with anticipation

"There are some things more important than all the treasures of this world you know. Besides, i will leave right after this." Josh

"Like i said, how do you--" justin

"You werent watching the news right? Of course he can! He can fly for petes sake justin!" Andrew

Justin was seriously speechless for a while

"So, what will it be?" Josh

"I would agree with josh justin, there are just some things more important than--" andrew

"I know! But dont you guys get it?! I have already invested so much of my money just so i could go on these trips!" Justin

"Like josh said--" andrew

"And dont you guys have the adventurers pride?!" Justin

"Pride is nothing compared to doing the right thing justin." Josh said with a face palm

"You shut up josh! And just give me the location! And your coming with us no matter what!" Justin demanded

"Hahh.. fine. All the rest of us are dispensable anyways, and you will just hire another just to reach that place." Josh

"But what about eldorado?" Andrew

"You really know me josh. And That place is filled with water and snakes, so without proper preparation and money, i cant just get the treasure im looking for. Besides, josh stated many places filled with treasure, so i cant just go for one." Justin

"Hahh.. sin is certainly the instigator of everything, as ignorance is bliss." Josh

"Whats that suppose to mean?!" Justin said with anger. "Anyways, we are still going there alright?!"

"Hahh.. fine. We will go with you for this one only." Andrew said as mae agrees

"Alright then, since everyone is in agreement." Josh said before looking at the souls again. "Souls of ancients, yes, i would like to know."

"Very well. The lost city you seek is beneath many sand dunes."

"The souls said it is beneath many sand dunes, is there any place here with sand dunes?" Josh

"Sand dunes? You may mean in libya?" Mae

"Its in libya? Not in egypt?" Justin

"Yes, probably." Josh

"So where should we go? Baris or libya?" Andrew

"Uhh.." justin was then in deep thought as baba and akila was also listening

"If you cant decide, then i will be going home now." Josh said about to stand up

"No! We go to libya then." Justin

"Why?" Andrew and mae said

"Its because i trust josh more, thats why." Justin said sweating

"You just cant afford josh to go, am i right? And what happened to baris?" andrew

By this time, the old man was secretly sending akila somewhere.

"Yes, yes. Baris can always wait if josh wasnt telling the truth." Justin

"How rude, im always telling the truth." Josh

"Anyways, lets go now to libya." Justin said as he stands

"Thank you so much for all you have done, and sorry for our comrade here." Josh said to baba

"No worries, we dont know what they might be saying, but at least we understand each other." Baba said with a smile

"Hey, where is the young fella?" Justin said as he pays baba with cash

"Oh! Hes just hungry." Baba said with a gesture

"I see. Here is also a tip just for him." Justin said as he paid with a small amount

With that, they then go back to the hotel to pack their things and fly towards tripoli, libya, before going to the sahara desert with a guide.

"Hey justin, when will we be there? Im thirsty" Andrew

They were now riding a jeep towards the middle of nowhere in the sahara desert.

"Tell that to josh, only he knows the way." Justin said pointing to josh who is on the drivers seat

"What is he really doing there justin? Hes looking at the sky even if its daytime while hes also talking to the driver." Mae

"Hes talking with the spirits, thats what i know. The hell would i know on how he does it all." Justin

"But like, man, These sand dunes are really hard to drive on right? Im glad were not having any motion sickness here." Andrew

"Yes, thats good in a way. But like, its seriously so hot!" Justin

"Quit your whining justin! Im here to guide you along the way alright? Be glad for that! So that everything will go smoothly." Josh

"Yes, im truly greatful for that." Justin said as he fanned himself under the intense heat

"Hey josh, how can you be still fine under all this heat?" Andrew said as josh was just conversing just fine while only wearing his sleeveless shirt

"Well, thats a secret." Josh

As andrew was bummed to hear that, they all finally arrived to the place where the ancient souls pointed out. It was still in the middle of nowhere with water nowhere to be found.

"Were here." Josh

"Wait, what?! I was expecting a big entrance and all." Justin

"Sometimes, reality just doesnt agree with expectation, so its better to not have one as possible." Josh said as he got out of the jeep

"Words of wisdom indeed." Andrew said as he got out of the jeep first before helping mae

"Hahh.. now where is the entrance anyways?" Justin said surveying the whole place

"Its here." Josh said as he stepped into a sinkhole filled with sand

"Whoa! Where did josh go?!" Justin said as the team was franktic

Then a gust of wind flew upwards with all the sand spraying all over

"Pwee! Josh! A notice next time!" Justine said as he saw a big sinkhole with josh visible just down below

"What are you guys waiting for? Christmas?" Josh said teasigly

"Easy josh, your the only super here with us." Andrew

"Here you are dear, your rope." Mae said she was getting with the jeep before it happened

They then got below the sinkhole, which was connected with a tunnel that leads towards a cave.

"This tunnel looks like it had water in the past." Mae

"Yes, it does look like it." Andrew said as there were also some few cave crystals that can be seen here and there.

"Wait, look at the end of the tunnel! There is some kind of light up ahead!" Justin said as he shone his flashlight ahead

"Its because of the crystals justin." Josh said as he just walks along with his flashlight

"Anyways, were here." Justin said as he stopped at the cliff

There at the cliff, they saw a big cavern which was lighted when they light their flashlights to it, which also had a very ancient city.

"Wow!" Andrew

"Its the a lost city!" Justin

"Stay here, i will get something from the lost city so that you wont have to use any more rope." Josh

"Wait, we will come with you instead!" Justin said with excitement

"Well, can you guys do rock climbing?" Josh said before justin was bummed

"Hahh.. lets just stay here as he says." Andrew said as he and mae were not far and examining the crystals

"A-alright then." Justin said reluctantly

Josh then flies towards the lost city, but as his feet touches the ground, he was then surrounded by many men in rugs carrying weapons, except guns

"Who are you? And how can you fly?" They were all speaking arabic

"I came in peace, i dont want to hurt anyone." Josh said as he raised his hands

"They all say that, and how come we can understand you?"

"Its a long story. Anyways, please lower your weapons.

"What if we say no?" They said as they got nearer

"Hahh.. then you leave me with no choice." Josh said as lowers his hands

In that instance, they all attacked him simultaneously and he ducked, before moving forwards to attack one of them through combat and pinned one of them down, All before he goes for another one.

"Stop it!" A person from behind said as the men recognize the voice

As they all stopped and looked behind, it was an old man.

"We heard that one who can converse with souls will come here, is that you boy?" The old man said as the rest of them just stands at their place

"Yes, please pardon my intrusion. We mean no harm, though we only wish to uncover the mysteries behind this lost city." Josh

"I see. So you are with others i suppose."

"They are right at the tunnel above." Josh

"We can see that. Well, is there anything we can do to change your mind? This place has been our home for decades now."

"No, but there is someone with me who might be able to help you. Please wait here." Josh said before flying back to the tunnel

"Josh, what was that? I see people living in those buildings!" Justin

"Yes, because its probably theives or locals who have nowhere else to go. So they all just stay here instead." Josh said as he walks towards andrew and mae. "Hey guys! Please come with me!"

"But our driver, how will we ever get back?" Mae

"They know a way in, so they know a way out of here. Call him over, so that we can properly talk with the locals here." Josh

"Alright then,as you say josh. Hope you know what your doing." Andrew said before they went to get the driver

"And you come with me." Josh said to justin

"Wh-what? To do what? And like, i woukd also fly down there?" Justin

"Yes, so quite whining." Josh said as he put justins arm to his shoulder before flying down

As they flew down, justin was always whining, even though josh reassured him of his safety.

"Whew! That was quite the ride." Justin said as they touched down the ground

"You were all squirming just a minute ago." Josh

"Haha, dont mind the little details josh! At least were here. Now what?" Justin

"You stay here for now, i will go get the others." Josh said as he flies towards the tunnel

"Wait! Ugh.." justin just did nothing there as the locals just all stared at him. "Hahh.."

After josh got the others down from the tunnel, he then explained everything thats happening to the locals.

"I see. If we let strangers here in our settlement, we will lose our home." The old man said

"Sir, what will happen to the jeep now? Its cant be left alone in the sun for hours like that, the jeep will stop functioning." The driver said to josh

"Dont worry, hes going to pay for everything." Josh pointed to justin

"Huh?! Just how much do you think all that would cost josh?!" Justin

"Just think about it, more fame and fortune that you could ever have, than just spending some pocket money on some locals.your a billionaire right?" Josh

"Your right, but--" justin

"But what can be more than your fame and furtune?" Josh

“my dad will kill me if he finds out about the payments needed for my adventures.” justin

“oh, thats what you get for being too greedy.” josh said as he looks at the old man again. “he said it will be in his hands whether to tell or not. Anyways, can you lead us out of here?”

“sure! Though are you sure you wont tell anyone about this place?” the old man said

“yes, me and the other two wont. Right guys?” josh said to andrew who agreed along with mae

“alright then, we will lead you all towards the exit of this place.”

“if its near a city, that would be great.” josh said as the old man agreed

After that, josh and the others was led through a series of tunnels where one wrong step would make them lost forever, like in a maze of sorts. After some time walking, they finally arrived through one of the exits at the outskirts near tripoli.

“thank you guys for all that you have done.” josh said to some of the men who accompanied them

“your welcome, but don’t ever tell a soul about this, alright?”

“what do you say guys?” josh said towards the team

“yes, we wont tell a soul!” they all agreed

“and what about you justin?” josh

“i wont, maybe not now of course. I still have to gather enough money just for this you know.” justin

“he wont tell, for now.” josh said towards the men

“anyways, this isnt much, but we thank you for everything.” justin said as he gave the men some cash

“you are forgiven then!” the men said happily

After that, the men and the team went their separate ways, and the team goes back towards the city for a nights stay since it was already late afternoon when they got back to the city.

“hey josh, what was that when you said that there are some things thats more important than money?” justin

They were now at the hotel lobby where they waited in line at the reception

“you saw those people at the lost city right? The souls are just saying that if you want to take their life in that city away, you can. But you must also know at what cost you will do so, am I right?” josh
”yes, your right.” justin

“hope this becomes a lesson for you the next time you come here.” andrew

“also, you court my sister while you are like that? You wont even get close to her heart if your like that.” josh said as they were staring at justin

“what? Im just appealing to his sister, shes cute after all.” justin

“hahh..” they sighed as they thought of when will he ever learn

“anyways, the souls there said that that place was a lost city filled with people a long time ago. As time goes, the people there just withered and died. Then marauders also came there and made that as their lair for some time, until the age of marauders were over and they vanished. Now, whats left to live there are just the poorest of the poor.” josh

“really? Which means whatever treasure lurking there is already looted.” justin

“the lost city is safe justin, which is still a large archeological find. There will always be a next time, if you would have the money for it, right justin?” andrew

“hahh.. fine.” justin said pouting

After a nights stay at tripoli, they then went their separate ways, where josh goes back to the airport for a ride back to the philippines. Back at the philippines, he then goes straight to davao, for a long voyage towards the vast pacific ocean.

“excuse me, is captain frank lapinig here?” josh said at the office of the port authority

He was now at the large port in davao where he is looking for the captain of the ship hes suppose to be with.

“sorry, but the captain you are looking for has already set sail.” the information said after a few minutes of searching his file

“oh, alright. Since when?” josh

“since about yesterday.”

“damnd it. Thanks for the info.” josh said before leaving the office. “if they already set sail, then what the heck should I report?”

He then got to a karinderia to order food for his lunch, when a soul reached out to him.

“oh! Josh mavric! There you are! Please help me and my son!” the soul said as josh was still in the middle of eating

“what is it?” josh said under quietly

“you were suppose to be there, but--”

“what happened to the ship?” josh

“its in the middle of a storm right now! Before, there were many who ventured along with us, which they all go their separate ways to search for the lost city, but after some time in launching a probe under the waters in the middle of the south pacific ocean, the skies suddenly rained and a storm came!”

“ok ok. I get the picture.” josh said before he finished his meal. “lead me to the ship.”

With that, josh walked towards the port once more before flying south east, towards the southern pacific ocean and guided by the soul towards the storm. As josh sensed it, it was no ordinary storm, as it was both mother nature and evil souls around the place which had brewed the storm even before they got to the place. Also as josh cant quite use his goggles because of all the rain, he just flew while following the soul towards the ship.

“damn! I cant quite see in this thick rain!” josh said before he found the ship

As josh saw the ship, all the crew was in disarray by the rocking of the big boat, all trying to survive the storm and hoping it to pass by.

“what happened?!” josh said as he touched down on the ship

“are you josh mavric?!” said one of the men

“yes! Now tell me what happened!” josh just shouted because of all the rain and thunder

“we just put our drone and let it dive into deep waters and this happens!”

“the captain even said to cancel this voyage because of the weather! But the boss insisted!” said another

“damn it! Cancel the voyage now! With all these rain and waves! You all wont last!” josh

“thats what the captain is doing now! Though the ship is facing trouble against this raging weather!”

“take me to the captain!” josh siad before he was taken to the captain

“sir! Josh mavric just flew by!” one of the men said towards the captain in the bridge

“captain frank lapinig?” josh said right behind, wiping off the water

“yes, and the young one beside me is the boss son, mark skipper.” frank said as he struggles at the wheel

“where is the boss anyways?” josh said as they all try to find balance in the rocking boat

“the boss is dead! Hes wiped out by the waves!” frank

“damn! Anyways, lets all just have this boat turn around.” josh

“we cant! The waves are too strong! Can you do something about this?” frank
”no, I cant! I don’t have the power to change mother nature.” josh

“darn it! Can you fly us all then out of here?” frank

“probably not, your all too many for me to carry all at once! The best I can do is just one person at a time!” josh

“darn it! Alright then, please take this boy instead, flee from here.” frank

“wh-why? You guys might still live!” josh

"Just take the boy! Before its all too late!" Frank

"Alright then, but what about you guys?!" Josh

"Dont worry about us! We are already at deaths door! You preserve the natural order right?!" Frank

"tch! Ok! Got it!" Josh said reluctantly before going towards the boy. “im going to save you alright?”

the boy just nodded and that was all the answer josh needs before he picks him up and walk towards the exit. As the boy was also holding onto something, that he didn’t really want to lose, josh held him tight as he then flies after getting to the exit.

“thank you josh mavric, for not having that boy in our conscience.” frank said looking at the exit

Then as josh was now flying above the ship, a big wave hit the ship and the ship sank into the waters, and they both saw it before they left the area.