when Columbus discovered America
a series of mysteries arose to confound the scholars of Europe
here are two continents
completely isolated from each other
yet they simultaneously developed similar cultures
for example
the Mayans measured time on the same principle
as the Gregorian calendar of Europe
they use the same signs of the zodiac
the same decimal and mathematical system
they valued silver and gold
using both for jewellery and barter
another mystery was the banana plant
a native of Asia that cannot be grown from seed
yet Columbus found it thriving
in the New World
elephants at that time, did not exist in the Americas
yet their likenesses were cleaved on the walls of prehistoric caves in Peru
the pyramids in Mexico and in Egypt were built on
identical architectural principles
then there was the striking resemblance of a witch of Spain
and the witch depicted in the New World
but the most significant all
Mayan and Aztec legends shared with Greek and Hebrew and the Syrian literature
an account of a terrible deluge
a deluge many believe had destroyed the link
the mother empire that had
spread her civilization to both sides of the Atlantic
the Greek scholar Plato recorded this theory first
over two thousand years ago
There was once, another continent
Atlantis
the lost continent
I have a bite
Look father there
maan-aamuu
What?
come back
Dimitrius, come back
it is a trickery of sirens
be careful
don't touch her
by the trident of Neptune
a mermaid
the flask
who are you?
who can she be?
she is not one of our people
I do not know, but no fisherman of our village
ever came home with a catch like this
father
where is this miserable hovel and why do I wear the garb of slaves?
you're in Greece and this is our home
the robe is mine
you dressed me?
someone had to do
where are my robes? this cloth offends my skin
they were wet, I hung them to dry
our fare is simple, come
break bread with us and tell us your story
your food tempts me not
as you wish my little mermaid
I'm not your little mermaid
I'm a princess
Princess
Princess Antilia, daughter of King Kronos
and where is this kingdom of yours princess?
in the great sea behind the pillars of Hercules
Pillars of Hercules
there is nothing beyond the world ends there
you doubt my word, fisherman
have you ever been beyond them
had we, we won't be here
do not touch me
you smell of fish
we should
we are fishermen
now listen
and listen well princess
in our land we have no kings
no king's daughters
no slaves we are all free men
treating one another as we would be treated ourselves
my son and I rescued you from the sea
delivered you to safety
our humble beds you shared
yet we received insults in return
if our home is a hovel
our weave too coarse
our food tempts you not Royal Princess
bestow the honour of your presence on someone else
you may help me now
you may help yourself
come Dimitrius there are fish to be caught
good evening Petros
you're all right, Antilia?
of course, why?
your face
so pale you look sick
where is Dimitrius?
spreading the nets to dry
I will help him
she is sick
Dimitrius
oohh
now neither you nor I have anything to hide
will you hand me my robe or shall I climb aboard as I am
why you
there in the sunset is Atlantis my home
land of wonders beyond compare
take me to it Dimitrius my father will shower you with riches
Antilia, all the riches I desire I already possess
all save one
one you'll never possess fisherman
Antilia
stand back
- sit down - aah
you must be mad there's a law against stealing a boat
I'm going home and no law will hinder me
many men have tried
many good seamen sailed on to the sunset
but none has ever returned Antilia not one
- are you afraid? - yes.
and rightly so
endless terrors lurk beyond the great pillars
I'd rather chance it and die then live in your village another day
I'll forget this foolishness I'll now let you go
very well take me back
there are other men, braver ones, who will beg for the privilege of doing my bidding
put me ashore and watch me choose my travel companion
listen Antilia
I'll take you but only on my terms
before the space of one moon, I do not sight your land
we will return to my land
but wait that's not all
and when we return
you'll become my dutiful wife for evermore
as you say, Dimitrius
Antilia
I can no longer tell east from west north from south
We must shore the sail and wait a while
no need for that
this will guide us
it points always to the north
my father would call it sorcery
it's no sorcery it's science
Dimitrius
it's time we ate
no food just some wine
it was only a fish
let me fill it
these are cursed waters we're turning back
I don't bemoan in my Captain regrets his bargain
it's not the bargain it's not the dolphins it's everything
the fog the silence when the wind goes
it's a voice when every thing whispering to me
turn about
turn about or you'll never more be lonely ship
listen to my lips Dimitrius they too whisper
but not doom
tonight will bring the full moon and there's still nothing ahead but sea
I shall hold you to your promise
I will keep it
we turn back then?
not yet
our bargain is for one moon
no more no less
Dimitrius.
Yes?
is the edge of the world at the Pillars of Hercules?
no
and have you found unknown terrors lurking behind every wave?
well
well?
well I did see King Neptune
but you did not truly see him
perhaps not
have I earned your trust?
forever
than believe me now, my love
before the moon dies, you shall gaze upon Atlantis
I promise
no Dimitrius
we're not in danger
we rejoice Princess
our gods are kind
they bring you safely home
with his help, Segenoe
a guard take him aboard
- the name is Dimitrius? - it is
- fisherman? - I can handle a net
could it be then that you were born under the sign of Pisces?
- sign? - when were you born?
what stars control your destiny?
the stars are but for guiding the seamen across the seas
a man who speaks the voice of a true seaman
my name is Zaren this is Segenoe, who reads the stars
with a ship like this I would be the greatest fisherman in Greece
do you have no ships that sail under the sea?
ah, princess
you're in time we're about to surface
why isn't my father here to meet me?
didn't you send word to him?
the moment we discovered you but he is not well
he is waiting for you at the palace
pull him off e will be judged.
what is this?
let go of me let me go
father
Antilia
my child
they told me you're ill
ill I've been my dear with grief and worry
even though the stars foretold your safe return
do the star also foretell that a stranger would return with me?
a stranger you are you saying?
yes father a wonderful stranger
to whom you will give my hand in marriage
but I had hoped you and Zaren
I never loved Zaren and never will
but wait child
we're forgetting the law
for me you will change it
do not worry, my dear it may take a little time
until then it is best you do not see each other
but now
now I have a thousand questions
thank you
thank you for saving my life
your face
I've not seen it before
I'm Dimitrius the fisherman
I'm Xandros a sailor
Xandros
from my homeland? yes
and the others
all these strange men
where are they from?
from lands I never knew existed
mostly seamen like you and I
blown off-course ship-wrecked
washed ashore
we sought sanctuary
but found instead whips and chains
how long ago?
a lifetime of suffering ago
one loses count of time here
I will not be here long enough to lose count
those were my very words
when I was first brought here
to your feet there's work to be done
come... come
once they were men
young and strong like you
but how can it be?
they are monsters
how it is done I do not know
but in this foul land their cruelty is beyond belief
time and again
someone is taken away without warning
where?
the house of fear
if ever seen again they are beasts of burden
show him what to do
learn well and learn soon
or you'll feel the bite of this
what is that?
crystals born in the crater
capture the energies of the sun
the little ones are used for heat and light
the big one?
could destroy the world
go on, slaves
no, no, no...
one moment your highness
clear these slaves out of the way
into the ditch all of you
get back move along
forgive this your highness
they'll have the filth cleared from your path in a moment
a gift for the Princess
you insolent slave
where is that pig?
your trusted Zaren has lied to us
he'as put the man who saved my life in chains
I want him punished
but it was I who gave order to enslave the Greek
you
his majesty had no alternative
with what right do you speak for your king?
what does he mean?
the law
the law compels us to enslave foreigners
and you my princess raised in the shadow of the throne must certainly respect the law
but what of my promises
and what of your word do they no longer mean anything?
but he is a foreigner and all foreigners are dangerous
indeed princess I've consulted the stars they do not fail
you see my dear
in fact the Greek should have been put to death
yet I spared him
surely this is no way to show gratitude to the man who not only saved the my life
but risked his very own
princess you are unduly alarmed
he can always gain his freedom through the ordeal of fire and water
he wouldn't survive you know it
father please
you enslaved him free him now
you've changed when I left you was strong
you were a king
it's you who have changed
I wish I could help my child
the law must be obeyed
again you presume to speak for your king
one would think you wear his crown
indeed you do
oh Azor
here's our little new sanatorium
what has Zaren done to my father?
and what have I done to Dimitrius
I know little one
come with me your prayers are wasted here
these gods are false with hearts of stone
Azor
such talk is heresy
it's the truth come
up there my child
there dwells the one true God
who created all living things
the true God is the moon?
no Antilia
His hand fashioned the moon
and sent it spinning through the galaxies of stars
that same hand moulded the earth with its high mountains and deep seas
He gave life to you and to me
pray to Him Antilia
He will listen to your prayers
the earth moved again last night
and gave us more work do
remove his chains he will come with me
wait here
my orders are to not let him out of my sight
only nobles may pass through these doors
what this is the Greek is no noble
neither is he an Atlantean
the gods do not recognize the presence of barbarians
and he is one is he not? yes but I
you argue with your gods?
no Holy One
wait
wait Dimitrius
why?
you must listen to me
I listened once and I woke in chains isn't that enough?
wasn't my doing
Zaren told me you chose to return to Greece and I believed him
until I saw you yesterday
then set me free now
I can't
why not?
your father is the king who would shower me with riches remember?
he is not the same king I left here
Zaren has become the power in Atlantis
then ask Zaren
he would have you killed if he knew I loved you
love
you lured me to this miserable country by lies and trickery
you accepted my bargain that made me believe you
loved me to keep from turning back
and all the time knowing I would soon be enslaved
is this love princess?
I thought my father was above the law
you lie you did not think beyond your own selfish desires
at first true
when you took me in your arms
my heart was yours
your heart comes dear princess
it is not worth the price I pay
give it to Zaren give him your love
and buy back my freedom
even your words smell of fish
hey Dimitrius
I prefer the company slaves
drink
now you will close your eyes
when you are commanded to open them again
you will be a bull
every day and every way you will become
more and more like one
strong
take him away
now bring me the Greek
and what shall you be?
part mule with long ridiculous ears
here?
or a buffalo with great horns
here and here
but you unlike the others
will be able to remember who you are
perhaps this would be appropriate
think what will amuse the Princess to see you as you really are.
a filthy pig
yes
I've orders my lord Zareth
he allows the Greek a chance to gain his freedom
why do they always take my best specimens away from me
but he must face the ordeal of fire and water
all right take him
I'll enjoy seeing you slowly roasted alive
what troubles you Azor?
the doves look at them
in the past they always circled the coliseum
and then returned their cages
now the whole flock is winging out towards the open sea
father it is Dimitrius you must stop this
I will my dear
but your Majesty
you can't disappoint your faithful subjects
of course
I must not
there is nothing we can do
by His Majesty's decree
Dimitrius is a slave no more
here in the middle of our vast ocean is Atlantis
our mighty empire
but no ocean is vast enough to
contain our might our power our ambitions
in the past
this one great crystal was enough to supply
energy for all our needs
but we can not live in the past
if we are to survive we must live in the future
and as our monument to the future I have caused to be readied another
a greater crystal from the belly of the crater
a weapon so powerful that with it governors of Atlantis
we can become masters of the world
you speak of wicked things Zaren
do not listen to these words of war
it's the destiny of Atlantis rule the world
do not the gods themselves call us the race of masters?
and it's not also written conquer or be conquered?
conquered by whom?
I shall answer you
one country alone may not be an enemy worth fearing
but united with other countries could present a strength
that would endanger our very existence
no
Atlantis can not take that chance we must attack them one by one
our only assurance of survival is to attack and attack soon
No. No. No.
let us all be heard
You have arms that can repel any invasion
any imaginary invasion you can conceive
more important we have heired and deliberately isolating Atlantis
from the rest the world
we should have shared our advances with all mankind
the mankind you speak of is good for one thing
slavery
a country that depends upon slavery for its existence
must perish
your Majesty
noble governors Atlantis
long before he came it was written in the stars
that a Greek fisherman would reach our shores
that prophecy has been fulfilled
it was also written that with his arrival the downfall of
Atlantis would commence
the fact that the barbarian was able to
survive ordeal of fire and water
is a warning noblemen that we will be conquered by barbarians
unless we conquer first
I call for war
we of the Mountains say war
and for the sea
war for the River
and for science
and the animals
war
you priest?
let it be war
empty?
just as all the others
the bees have deserted us
strange
each morning of my life I've awakened to the singing of birds
now only silence greets the day
perhaps it is instinct call it what you will
but they sense something
something evil
a strange breeze now rises with every out-going tide
blowing dead leaves out toward the open sea
the humblest insect seem to know it carries them
not to destruction but to survival
even the seeds forsake their mother soil
all nature senses that the end is near
man alone turns deaf ears to nature's warnings
the princess wishes to speak to you Dimitrius
I have no wish to speak to her
it is best that you do
I'm here to repay the debt I owe you
tonight at moon-rise a fishing fleet sets sail from the north harbour
be there
one ship bears the king's crest
the captain will waiting for you
he will take you aboard and set you ashore at the pillars of Hercules
you must find your own way from there
Antilia
if you suspect treachery set your mind at rest
the words I spoke when last we met
they were words of anger
forgive me
thank you Antilia
you owe thanks to no one
your farewells were said quickly
she loves you
I wish that were true
I'm leaving
Antilia told me so in trust
you want me to stay?
to remain in Atlantis is to die
none will be spared
and doomsday is not
but no one can foretell the future not even a holy man
I was not always a priest my son
in the days when Atlantis was a just and noble land
I was well versed in the sciences
but I hid my eyes when she began
to using her great knowledge for evil
and fashion gods after her own scientific achievements
for this we will die
the true God will destroy Atlantis
but why do you stay Azor?
because guilt rests heavy on my heart
we created wonders for the good of mankind
then turn them into monsters
the crystals capture the rays of the sun's rays store the energy.
they seem identical yet vary greatly in function
now this is a model of the original invention
it's purpose
provides warmth and light comfort feel it
now see what they've done with it
that urn
Zaren now builds one that has a thousand times more power
within a moon it'll be ready and with it he will subjugate the world
why're you telling me this?
you can warn the world your own people when you reach home
but that defence have we?
none
and if I stay
what can I do to halt Zaren's plans
nothing now but tomorrow may bring your chance
I cannot wait until tomorrow my ship leaves tonight
Dimitrius
don this seaman's garb it'll make your boarding easier
farewell Azor
God shield you my son
all my calculations add up to the same conclusion
on the next full moon you must depart for conquest
it'll give me little time to finish the crystal
it is the only date the stars favor
it'll be ready
one man Dimitrius wishes to see you my lord
let him enter
you need my help
why would I need the help of a slave?
forgive my stumbling tongue a free man
I'm also a fisherman who knows the waters and lands you do not know
I can lead your ships safely through the Pillars of Hercules into the hidden sea
I can add colour to the darkness of you chart
why this change of heart?
other slaves would rather face death than give us guidance
I've tasted luxury and groomed an appetite for it
your friends in the dungeon will call you traitor
let them I can find comfort in silver and beaten gold
well?
are we to bargain with slaves? he will bring us disaster
you must excuse our impetuous astrologer
a bargain it is
proceed Dimitrius
let me see you change the face of the world
what do you think map-maker?
well my lord is aware that none of our ships
has ever returned from the hidden sea
they must have perished on the treacherous reefs or
in the shifting currents of the Pillars of Hercules
we therefore possess virtually
no knowledge only speculation
but chance favours this being a trustworthy guide
I'll wager not one detail is correct
we'll soon see
guard
you traitorous dog
you traitor
remove him
you stinking filthy traitor
you filthy traitor
you swine
you stinking traitor
I'll take my pay now
of course, Dimitrius
this is only a sample my generosity I may have need of your services again
I would never this Greek he lies with every breath
dwell with your stars Segenoe and let matters importance rest in my hands
I trust men who put wealth above honour
another warning
I measure the lava every day
it rises steadily
a sea of boiling devastation below Atlantis
straining at the throat of this sleeping volcano
waiting for beginning of the end
when is the end Azor?
soon after the next full moon
soon after Zaren and his warriors have set sail to conquer the world
what if Zaren is delayed
this conquest can never take place
my lord Zaren waits impatiently
you should have been here before this
look
another delay
there is little time left and the slaves grow lazier by the hour
they can't help me
you must help me what can you do?
nothing
but you a man of wisdom must surely know a way
there is a limit to man's endurance
these men has reached that limit
they must rest
our priest has a splendid remedy
indeed I have a even better one
captain
escort them to the gallows
that will cure the others
the gallows is not the answer Zaren
listen to a man that was once a slave
what is your remedy?
put me in charge
then what would you do?
put up a camp nearby the dungeon is far away
the slaves weary before they begin their daily tasks
remove their chains discard the whip give them decent food
ridiculous why should I grant such insane demands
you have no choice
very well
of course my services are not without a fee
you have sampled my generosity
you can rely upon it again
but if you fail
I will succeed
I'm awake Xandros
the others are waiting
they believe as I that Dimitrius did not betray his friends
we're all eager to help you with your plan
I've been thinking
wishing I could do something to help you
there is nothing you can do
nothing anyone can do
it slowly eats it's way through the will the mind
'til are no longer human
in the end I must be locked up with the others
come we must be on our way
I want to help you while I still can
remove the wedge
hurry - hurry
set it a bit deeper
hurry hurry volcano awakes
hurry hurry destroy the crystal
hurry hurry before the full moon
hurry hurry before Zaren sees
hurry hurry come up lava
soon soon crystal be damned
damn damn Zaren ** **
oh no hurry hurry
hurry hurry
I want to be your wife Dimitrius
I love you
take me away
I can't
your boat waits in a secret cove
let's leave Atlantis and never return
I have wronged you Dimitrius I know
no that's not it Antilia believe me
what is it then?
I can't tell you
not yet
very well leave me behind if you will
but you must leave Atlantis at once
as soon as you've finished your task Zaren will kill you
that's a chance I must take
please princess leave now the sun will soon rise and he needs rest
trust me Antilia
volcano awake covers more, covers more
come up lava hurry more hurry more
our days are numbered hurry more hurry more
destroy the crystal hurry more hurry more
there there
no this way
quick cover the entrance
they mustn't find the shaft
there they are
go get them
kill them all
don't let them get away
where's Greek?
he can not be far find him
free yourself
the end has come
to the harbour board the ships
insolent gravel
they're going into my palace
follow me
oh no
Antilia
we're trapped
no escape there the harbour is sealed it's *** of the lava
here this way
damn
Atlantis is gone
but free men wise men
carried the culture from the mother empire
to the four corners of the earth