Sphinx twisted both ends of the aluminum tube at the same time. He placed the tube on the wooden floor next to the door. The tube gradually stretched two meters long and formed an energy portal to their next destination. We all watched in amazement as it all unfolded before our eyes.

“That is why we can’t open that in the house.”, it was Sphinx.

“Who sent it?”, Pietro asked.

“My mom, we are not originally from here.  My family escaped Atlantis when I was a baby. But the guards got hold of me. As a punishment, they turned me into this.”, explained Sphinx as images of him in the laboratory being modified flashed in his mind. I saw glimpses of those images.

Unknown to most, Atlantis had been manufacturing half human half animals as their slaves. Azcorp was the main producer of mutants. The countries near them had no idea of the abomination and ethical issues Atlantis had been doing, only because they were more spiritually and technologically advanced than the others.

“We’ve been friends for the longest time, Sphinx.”, Pietro said. “Human or half human, we are brothers.”

“Alright guys, touching moment, but we have to go back to the house and fetch the others.”, it was Limiel.

We quickly headed back to the house. I was on Pietro’s back this time. We were gracefully going down the steep and slippery hill when the ground shook violently once more. The two centaurs lost their balance and we all fell on the wet and muddy ground. Just then, we heard footsteps approaching us. We were surrounded by three Azcorp guards all dressed in black uniform. Along with them were Juanita, Onemaru, Akila, Kiru, and the kids. They were all riding their respective centaurs. One of the guards offered me a hand to assist me in standing up.

“I’m glad you are all okay and already here.”, it was Pietro.

“I can no longer wait for you guys to get back. I told you, Atlantis is cursed. It’s all going down the drain.”, explained Juanita.

“Where’s Housemaster Roy?”, Pietro asked.

“Housemaster is in the lab back in Azcorp. He’s buying us time trying to contain the energies being emitted by those damn stones.”, explained Akila.

The earthquake had started once more. This time it was on a weakened intensity but continuous. We proceeded our way back to the hut. When we got there, Sphinx was smiling ear to ear. He quickly assisted his people to get into the portal. He started with the kids and Juanita.

“Where is this taking us?”, asked Juanita, her face was full of concern. She and the kids were hand in hand.

“Where the sun is always shining, Juanita. My parents are on the other side. They are waiting.”, Sphinx assured her.

Juanita and the kids stepped into the portal. They were gone in seconds. The centaurs were next. The ground convulsed vigorously. Akila, Kiru, and Onemaru hurriedly stepped into the portal. The hill starting to crumble down. The heavy rain and rocking of earth is now giving birth to a landslide. The top of the hill was sliding down. It was going to hit the hut.

The human guards marched to the portal. But it won’t let them through. These guards were full blooded Atlanteans.

“What’s happening?”, asked one of the guards.

“My mom made sure no one from Atlantis pass through the portal unless you are able to answer the riddle.”, clarified Sphinx.

Of course, the riddle. I heard Erik in my head.

“We have no time for that.”, I told Sphinx.

“We can override that. If I accompany them, they’d be able to pass. Messenger, thank you for your services.” Just then, a six foot tall rock rolled down taking with it half of the hut. It also damaged the aluminum tube. The portal showed signs of malfunctioning. It fluctuated, turned off and on.

“Get in there, Sphinx.”, I shouted at him.

The guards and Sphinx stepped into the portal in a jiff. I was glad everyone was safe. It was time for me to go back to my own space and time occupation.

“Sphinx!”, someone shouted behind me. When I turned around, it was a tall blonde guy wearing an AzCorp white coat.

“Where’s Sphinx? I’m Roy Meza.”

The portal turned off and it was once again just an aluminum tube.

“Looks like I’m stuck here. But did they make it? Sphinx and the others?”

I told him yes.

“That’s good enough for me. We deserve this demise.”, he added. “Those stones are erecting so much energy from the Earth’s core. Molten magma is coming out of its depths. It’s equivalent opposite has been attracting atmospheric rivers. Thus, the heavy rain we are experiencing.

Well say goodbye, Theo.

I can’t just leave him, Erik.

“It’s okay, Messenger. I’m fine.”, said Roy. “All is well.” Roy accepted his fate. He was at peace with it.

The tube was suddenly brought back to life. The portal appeared once more. It was fading on and off the background, but it was still working. Sphinx’ energetic silhouette appeared before us.

“I’m giving it my life force, Housemaster Roy.”, it was Sphinx.

“How?”, Roy asked.

“I fused my consciousness with it.”

“How?”, Roy asked once more.

“It’s an alien technology my mom got hold of. She’s against this, but I told her it’s okay.”

“That would mean you are stuck with the portal.”, I told him.

“Yes, Theo. Housemaster Roy has fought by my side legally to escape the lab. I owe him my life and the others, too. He took us in his home.” Sphinx turned to Roy. “Step in.”

Roy was about to enter the portal but he was stopped to answer a riddle.

“I’m sorry, Housemaster. I have not yet figured out how to turn this off.”, said Sphinx.

“Hurry up with the riddle!”, I told Sphinx.

“Which creature has one voice, four feet in the morning, two feet in the afternoon, and three feet at night?”

“Men.”, Roy answered quickly. He moved forward towards the portal but it won’t let him in.

“Wrong answer.”

“Men.”, Roy said once more thinking Sphinx must have heard him incorrectly.

The ground roared as there was already a massive landslide heading towards us. It was carrying a lot of debris and uprooted trees.

Time to go. Erik murmured to me.

We started to move downhill and fast. The mudslide was rapidly taking the hut with it.

I closed my eyes and quickly imagined my garden in front of me. I felt the tangible reality of holding the water hose sprinkler in my hand. My surroundings rearranged itself in lightning speed. I opened my eyes and I was back in my garden.

Erik was standing in front of me with a smirk on his face.

“Hey you’re still here.”

“I decided to stay. He got the answer wrong. Sphinx is now buried under a lot of debris and dirt. He sacrificed himself to save Roy. He is now the guardian of the portal.”

“Man is the correct answer.”

“Explain.”, said Erik.

“Well, four feet, clearly a baby. Two feet, the adult. Come one, we all know this.”

“That is the incorrect explanation. That’s why Sphinx had to fully merge himself with the portal to be able to let him pass. He’s stuck somewhere in Atlantis beneath all debris and soil.”

“What the hell is the correct explanation?”, I demanded.

“From a mystic’s point of view, humanity started with their development behaving like animals. We still do. We are emotional beings guided solely by passion and eruptions of emotions. It was said that only 2% of human are actually walking erect, that’s the two feet. And the last, if we get to evolve more, we would find ourselves relying more on the crutches of our intuition, three feet. It takes courage and a leap of faith to finally listen to one’s intuition than the chatters of a disillusioned self justified world.”

“Oh, wow. I hope you are okay.”, I jokingly told him. “I have wine, we can talk about it.”

“Humanity’s soul progress at the moment, most are still tied to their animalistic tendencies. Imagine when the rest of the population finally evolve to three feet.”, explained Erik. “I better go. I watered your plants for you, by the way.”

“Why thank you, Erik.”

End of part 4. 😄 Thank you. Have a wonderful day.