One full week. Hammer had to sit in quarantine under observation for an entire week after returning to the base in Antarctica before he could even return to the states. “We've found no signs of any viruses, bacteria, or parasites. You're free to go.” Hammer got up from the medical bed. “It's about time. Can I finally get out of this frozen hellhole?” The female supervisor popped in from around the corner. “Yes, in fact I'm sending both you and Daniels to the states with the artifact. Our benefactor wants it analyzed in a lab in a place called New Arkham. It's in Wisconsin apparently. I've personally never heard of it but I'm told the lab there has some of the best equipment and personnel.”

  Hammer grumbled. “So I'm going stateside but I'm still on the collar? At least I'm going somewhere I'm familiar with.” The woman chuckled. “This little delivery is the last thing we require of you Sir Hammer. You'll receive your payment and be free to do as you please. Maybe a quiet area like New Arkham would be a nice change of place for you.” Hammer shrugged. “I mean I have enough trouble sleeping as is so I guess going to a big city with all the noise wouldn't be a good idea but I don't know if overcorrecting by living in some nowhere farm town in the middle of cow country is the best move.” The woman gestured to the exit. “Either way, your plane is waiting. Sir Daniels is already on board.”

  Hammer shambled his way to the small plane that was prepared to take him and Daniels back to the states. Once loaded in he sat across from Daniels with a table between them. “This benefactor sure does seem to have money to burn if he's willing to send a private jet for us. He could have just as easily sent a Cessna.” Daniels looked over at the metal container with the artifact in it. “You think this lab will be able to figure out how to open the artifact?” Hammer shrugged. “I don't know and honestly don't care. My job ends once the delivery is made. You'll probably be needing to go out with the lab crew for a while but I'm happy not seeing what's inside that thing after seeing what was outside of it.”

  Daniels tapped at the table. “You seem awfully calm and casual after what we went through. We saw literal monsters, things that defy ordinary logic and you don't seem the least bit fazed.” Hammer scowled. “Believe it or not, this isn't my first rodeo with the unexplained.” He looked away. “I saw something in the middle east, not as horrific but definitely just as unexplainable. Me and my men went to take shelter in some abandoned town in the middle of nowhere. Our guide refused to enter the area till we forced him, not having much choice. It was camp there or rough it in the sand.” Daniels knitted his brow. “And there was something there? In the town.”

  Hammer nodded. “Our guide said the area was cursed or sacred. I forget which one. It was protected by some ancient spirit from some long dead mythology. I figured it was just a local superstition, a ghost story. Then one night I heard a sound that could only be described as unholy. The thing I saw that night, the thing that killed my men… it was no wild animal and it sure as shit wasn't the enemy.” Hammer took a moment to steady his breathing. “The thing… It looked like some unholy fusion of a gorilla and a scorpion. It has a stinger for a tail and hardened carapace on various parts of its body. We unloaded round after round, tossed grandes, even fired an RPG at it but all it seemed to do was piss it off.”

  Daniels sat up, now invested in the story. “How'd you survive?” Hammer shook his head. “In all honesty, I don't think I did. Lost half my men that day and we didn't even kill the thing. We called in for a helicopter pickup when we first arrived and it came in blasting. Scooped up what was left of my platoon and we fucked off. However, watching those men die like that… anyway, I was given a medical discharge and told that I wasn't allowed to talk about what happened. it didn't sit right with me so when a number of mercenary groups approached me I picked one and stuck with it. I couldn't just sit on my ass. In truth, I think I've been chasing the unexplained ever since. If for no other reason then so I can find and kill things just like what we found that day.”

  Daniels nodded. “This artifact… it's exactly the kind of thing I've been looking for. I've seen a few things too, nothing like what you did but strange nonetheless. Things in paintings and drawings that seemed far too detailed to be imagined. Then one day while in Greece I found what I thought to be the Holy Grail. Metaphorically speaking. Possible proof of Atlantis, and the theory we are actually the second time humans evolved on this planet. This artifact… It's the Apple of Discord and Pandora's Box. The origin point of the Apple of Eden. The source of fear, knowledge, hope. This artifact is going to change the world and I've spent my life looking for it.”

  Hammer looked at the box. “Right. I remember you telling me once that you became fascinated with folklore and mythology because you used to have horrible nightmares.” Daniels nodded. “As did my grandfather. I wanted answers and normal logic and science wasn't doing it. On the way I found a love for finding the lost history of mankind. I still have nightmares sometimes… they've actually gotten worse lately. I feel like something is coming. Like it waiting just beyond some unseen barrier for an opportunity to haunt the waking world.” Hammer suddenly shifted in his chair. “You sound like some of the superstitious men I've interacted with. Talking about some Boogieman. I used to scoff at that shit, but I know better now. Monsters are real, so why wouldn't the monster in our closets and under our beds be real too?”

  Daniels nodded and stared at the box containing the artifact, then looked back at Hammer who still had his arm bandaged. “So did that thing heal alright? No infection or-” Hammer growled lightly. “Medical gave me a clean bill of health. It scarred pretty bad and it still kinda itches but doc says that's because it's still healing on the inside or something. I can't even scratch the itch because it goes all the way down to the bone. My freaking bones itch man. It's a new kind of hell. But the doc says it's psychosomatic. I mean… it has to be. I saw the results myself. No signs of infection, no new antibodies, my white blood cell count wasn't even elevated.”

  Daniels tilted his head. “Do you have medical training?” Hammer nodded. “It was required when I went to the field to have training equivalent to an EMT. Don't you?” Daniels nodded. “You kind of have to know anatomy and illnesses when you work with thousand year old corpses.” Hammer nodded as they sat the rest of the long flight in silence. He thought to himself about the implications of the artifact being Pandora's Box and what it would mean if the lab techs opened it. Though the artifact had a keyhole and he doubted they would risk damaging such a valuable artifact.

  They landed at a humble airport in New Arkham in the dead of night, only big enough for helicopters, private planes, Cessnas, and recreational ultralights. The two stepped out and stretched with Hammer scratching lightly at his bandage. “This town is bigger than I remember. Closer to a small city since it's a bit too big to be a town. How many people do you think live here?” Daniels looked at the city. “Counting the farms I saw on the outskirts… about half a mil.” Hammer grumbled. “I never thought I'd return to this place.” Daniels looked at Hammer. “So how are you familiar with this place anyway?”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Hammer sighed. “I'm from this little shithole. Haven't been here since I left for basic. Straight outta highschool. How else do you think I got to this rank at such a young age?” Daniels tilted his head for a moment. “Ah, right. I forgot I'm actually older than you by about fifteen years. I forget how young you actually are sometimes.” Hammer nodded as they took a cab to the laboratory they were given the address for. They step out of the cab and take a moment to look at the building. Hammer questioning the choice. “NexGen? Isn't that a genetic research lab? Why would they have the equipment for processing an archeological artifact?” Daniels shrugged. “The lady in charge of signing our checks sent us here, so I'm not going to think too hard about it.” Hammer shrugged and started walking into the main door. “I guess you're right.”

  The two were checked in at a desk and led to a lab area and asked to wait. After a while a female in a lab coat and a skinny man in casual wear were led over. The man was at the end of a conversation with the woman. “Look, all I'm saying is that it should be considered. We have to at least think about the possibilities and not go in blind.” The woman nodded. “I understand that, but we'll have to finish this talk later. I have guests.” The person who led Hammer and Daniels in introduced the woman. “This here is our current head of research, Kathryn Smith.” Hammer's eyes widened. “Kathryn?! No fucking way!” Daniels looked over to Hammer. “You know her?”

  Hammer chuckled. “I went to highschool with her. That's insane. To think you'd be the head of a genetics lab right here in our old town.” Pitch looked the soldier up and down. “Arny? Arnold Hammer? What brings you back to New Arkham?” Hammer squinted at Pitch. “James? Kathryn being here makes sense but what are you doing in a genetic lab lab?” Pitch considered his response for a moment. “Electrical maintenance and janitorial stuff mostly.” He looked at the metal box on a dolly Hammer had with him. “What's in the box?” Hammer shook his head. “Sorry there old friend, but I can't tell you that. My employer was very clear I was only to pass on the box and the files to go with it to the head researcher here. Though I still don't know why this was the place I was told to go.”

  .

  Kathryn looked over the box, then tried to lift it. “Damn that's heavy.” Daniels nodded. “Led lined titanium.” Pitch gestured to Daniels. “And who's the dork in the glasses?” Daniels stretched his hand out. “Jackson Daniels, no affiliation with the whiskey.” Pitch blinked. “You're… Jackson Daniels? The Jackson Daniels?” Daniels cocked his head. “You… know of me?” Pitch got a little excited. “Know of you?! I've read everything you've ever written. I recently discovered your work when… Well that's not important but either way I'm a bit of a fan.”

  Pitch looked at Kathryn. “This is the guy who wrote the “Searching for Atlantis: The Lost History of Humanity” series I told you about. He's basically the Franklin Finkton of the archeology world.” Daniels made a confused expression. “I… I'm not entirely sure what you mean by that.” Pitch took a second look at the box, then to Daniels. “Wait… don't tell me someone actually funded your expedition to Antarctica and this box has something you found there.” Daniels looked at Hammer, then back. “I'm not sure I'm allowed to say.” Pitch looked at Kathryn as if they were communicating something telepathically before nodding.

  Kathryn gestured. “Take the dolly and follow this way. Someone please prepare a level five isolation chamber.” She started walking side by side with Pitch as Hammer and Daniels followed them into an area that sprayed them with mist. Kathryn then looked at the two. “I'm only going to say this once. Nothing you see beyond this point comes out this walkway with you. Understood?” She glared at the two who both nodded. “Yes ma'am.” After the decontamination is complete the group walked into a different section of the laboratory filled with containment cells. Pitch gestured to the different Cryptids being contained. “Welcome to the truth of the world. Monsters are real.”

  The two simply blinked, surprised not by the existence of monsters but the variety and numbers. “There's… so many. How is this kept under wraps?” Hammer asked. Pitch chuckled. “There's a group tasked with tracking, capturing, and covering up the existence of Cryptids.” Hammer tilted his head. “Wait, you mean like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster?” Pitch nodded. “Sasquatch is the proper term, and Nessy was a hoax. Anyway, long ago Pandora's box was opened allowing Cryptids to flood into our world and sink the city we know as Atlantis. This artifact grabbed from the Antarctic I'm guessing was found in a building under the ice built by the Atlantians after the city sank.”

  Pitch opened up an empty containment cell and went to grab the box but Daniels stopped him. “Hey man, that thing is a lead lined titanium box. You're not going to be able to lift it.” Pitch chuckled. “So how did it feel to find proof you were right? That not only was Atlantis real but this is the second time humanity developed.” Daniels did a so-so gesture. “I can't publish my findings so it's not like anyone will ever actually know.” Pitch then lifted the box and placed it in the cell before closing it with him inside. “Alright Kat, just let me know when you've got the scanners ready.”

  Hammer was in total shock. “T-that's not possible! No human could possibly… wait…” Pitch nodded. “Yeah, I'm no human anymore. It's a long story. So, are you going to tell me what's in the box or am I opening it blind?” Daniels sighed. “It's the Apple, Pandora's Box. But it's encased in some glowing yellow crystal. Things as hard as diamonds.” Pitch blinked a few times. “Well it's a good thing we used the containment cell.” Pitch opened the box and pulled out the spiky yellow crystal uncased artifact and then placed it on top of the box. “This crystal is solidified fear, and the jewelry box itself is locked and requires a key.”

  Daniels looked at Hammer. “Did he just say what I think he did?” Hammer let out a short laugh. “At this point it seems anything goes.” Pitch tapped at the crystal and shivered. “Oh yeah, that's solid fear alright. Chipping it away without accidently breaking it down and absorbing it might be tricky. Though if it's as hard as diamonds and has a crystal structure… a hammer should shatter it with enough force the same as diamond. Cutting a sample would be tricky but we can just test the shards.” Pitch smacked the crystal hard with the butt of a pistol causing it to break off before then bringing the pistol to slide the shards to the side.

  “I suggest people avoid touching the shards without using special gear and definitely avoid getting jabbed by a piece. What's inside the apple?” Pitch asked Kathryn. Kathryn looked at the screen as the scanners did their work. “Well I can't get the best look but it seems there's a small regular three dimensional geometric shape inside. I can't tell what it's made of though. However, my best guess would be some sort of cut gemstone considering the jewelry box comparison.” Pitch nodded. “Pandora closed the box, keeping hope inside. Based on everything we know it's likely a solid crystal of hope energy.”

  Pitch looked at the keyhole before grabbing a pen-like object that fired lasers into the keyhole. Kathryn tilted her head at the screen. “James… the shape of the keys that would fit this…. We already have a matching one.” Pitch tilted his head. “That can't be right. How would we already have the key?” Kathryn made a big shrug. “I don't know how, but the key to Ishwada’s decorative sword case is a match.” Pitch blinked a few times. “I do remember him saying the lock on the box was made to fit the key and not the other way around, but I never expected it to be an ancient artifact. I mean the amount of things that happened between then and now. An ice age, several mass extinctions, the rise and fall of more civilizations then I can count.”

  Kathryn looked over the folder. “The mural matches what you told me about the fall of Atlantis and the writing matches what we have on file so the artifact is definitely the real deal.” Daniels looked at Kathryn. “Wait, you guys already have information on Atlantis and its language?” Pitch sighed. “It's a long story, but yes. Unfortunately, we don't know how to translate the Atlantean language. Even hearing it spoken doesn't help because we have no way to match words with symbols.” Daniels nodded. “It sounded unlike any language I've ever heard.”

  Pitch got out of the containment cell and a lab tech in a suit bagged up the crystal shards. “This little discovery is more than important to human history, but important to human survival. Thanks to you, humanity has a real fighting chance now.” Daniels squinted. “Chance to what?” Pitch gave him a serious look. “A chance to end this nightmare for good. We're going to kill Phobos, we are going to kill fear itself. We are going to mend the mistake made in hubris by the Architect of Atlantis, and finally restore the world to the natural order he disrupted. This problem started with Pandora's Box, it's going to end with it too. We are witnesses… witnesses to the beginning of the end of the world as we know it. Win or lose, the world will never be the same.”