He looked down at the tattered back pack that he had managed to pull from the raging torrent the team had suddenly come across. Not much there. Some clothes, a bit of food, maybe. And if he was real lucky something to make fire. Oh, he had read all the books, even watched the silly survival shows. Man on his own. This is how you make it out alive. But he had never paid much attention. He made far too many preparations for anything to go wrong.

 

            Damn.

 

Something had gone brutally wrong.

 

            The rapids that swallowed the team’s canoes seemed to come out of nowhere. Even the guides seemed surprised. Several of the men screamed as the water broke apart the boats. Except one. All Corbin felt was anger. This can’t be happening to me. NOT TO ME! He had surveyed this river from the air for weeks and never seen anything like this. Not remotely. This was by all accounts a slow moving river. No white water at all.

            The first several days were so uneventful it was boring. Their guides were even surprised at the ease of the trek. When they reached the last major village on the river, Corbin shook his head and smiled. This was going to be so much easier then he had thought. Tomorrow maybe a bit harder, once down river several miles they would begin to travel overland into the interior. Late in the evening of that final day, he had caught the old man staring at him from across the fire pit that was the center meeting place of the village.

            He called over one of their guides.

            “That old man. There. Who is he?”

“That one. Dofu.” He tapped his head. “Crazy. Got lost in forest. Long ago. Went mad. Told stupid stories. In old days we kill him. Not now. We modern.”

“I see. What’s his problem with me?”

“I go chase him off.”

“No,” Corbin said, “Leave him be.”

The old man meant nothing.

 

The next morning when the expedition was loading up, Corbin noted the old man

starring at him again. Finally the man gathered some courage and tottered over. That craggy old man growled that term that Corbin had heard in several of the villages up the river.

He had asked repeatedly what it meant. And got no response. Finally as they had begun to push their canoes out on to the Rangzi River, a young boy ran up. He whispered into Corbin’s ear, his broken English shaking with some unknown fear.

“Go not. He says. She waits. That what means. Tork-qen-nackta-simma. She waits to be obeyed.”

Then he sprinted off around towards the huts.

            Corbin looked over at Dick Harris, the closest thing he had as a friend, and shook his head.

            “ What was that about? ” Dick asked.

            “ Local BS. Some tribal legend I’ve caught wind of. ”

            “ Anything? ”

Corbin shook his head.

            “Alright. Your instincts have been good so far.”

            Corbin smiled. My instincts always are. I’ve come back with more artifacts then Indiana Jones could dream of. I am the true raider of lost places.

            “We’re on the right track. I can feel it.”

            Harris looked at him, nodding slowly.

 

           

It was two days from the village when the expedition turned the corner and the river took them. Corbin remembered hearing hardened men scream. This wall of white terror was not on any map. Corbin was sure of that. Where in the hell did this maelstrom come from? Corbin was thrown into the air and then woke up in the mud. Alone.

 

He drug himself out of the mud and stared at the carnage. Several large pieces of a canoe were near by to where he washed up. A body was caught in some tangle of logs several meters down river. He thought that corpse might be Dick Harris, but he couldn’t be sure. Doesn’t matter. He’s dead. They’re all dead. Now all that matters is the expedition. Nothing but his goal. The legendary city of the Dulgai. The Dulgai were a people that were only whispered of in myths that Corbin had pieced together from texts all over the planet. As legend would have it, they built a massive temple to a female deity. And filled the temple with gold and jewels. All for the love of this goddess. Corbin believed that the Goddess/Queen Califa, that California was named after, was in truth a Dulgai goddess. He also believed that the worship of such a deity was the basis for many of the legends dealing with the Amazon warrior women. Finding this place would be the capstone to a great career. And even some rapids and some deaths won’t stop him. Nothing would stop him from his goal. He would succeed at all cost. At any cost.

Corbin spent that first night by the rushing river. He huddled together and tried to cover himself with leaves only to find spiders and other crawling things filled nearly every inch of what he tried to use. Damn jungle. That first night was horrid. Swatting at bugs, hearing noises coming out of the pitch black forest. But a few hours before sun rise, he did manage to close his eyes for a moment and he dreamed. He was walking down a path, high trees on each side, the end of the trail shrouded in mist. Some where, he could figure out where, he needed to be. He must get to the end of the trail.

Corbin awoke with a start. The image of the misty trail still lingering in his mind.

“What the hell was that?” He asked out loud.

He rose and took his shirt off, he lean body covered with scratches, bites and beginning to bruise. He walked to the shore line and washed his chest off, splashing water on his face as well.

Now to the task, survival. He could go up river. Or at least try to. That village wasn’t that far. Or he could---find the trail.

What?

What the hell was that?

Why would he want to do that?

I don’t want to find the trail. I want to find my city.

That’s an idea. He pulled his make shift map from his still damp pocket and spread it out on a rock. So, he thought, I am here. Rapids here. And the city should be—there. I can make that. And if the trail—

Time to go.

 

The forest was supposed to be full of edibles. Plants, bugs and the odd dull colored from that were good for eating. But all Corbin could find in the way of food that first day was a termite mound. He managed to choke down a few of the crawling things and then nearly immediately threw them up.

I might die out here.

That was the first time that thought entered his mind. But that is not going to happen. I am not going to let that happen not if I—can find the trail. Getting close now.

            He took a short rest later that day and began to rummage through the recovered backpack. To his surprise he found a canteen full of water. I don’t remember that being in there. Also in a small pouch next to the canteen were some iodine pills to purify the water. So he could at least count on that. Water to drink. He could survive a while with out food but water..that was death in this climate.

            The thick forest canopy did periodically open up and allow him to get a slight bearing on his direction. The temple did lie in a Westerly direction and by all appearances he was heading that way. Good. Very good.

            Careful. Be very careful. The forest can kill you all sorts of ways. Snakes, spiders, plants and any kind of injury could get septic really quick. Corbin also began to again feel the pangs of hunger gnawing at his belly. Water. The surest way to help quench hunger pains was to drink water. He took a large swig of his canteen. That did seem to help, but for how long. He needed food and he needed a place to sleep. Up off of the ground would be best in this place.

            It took Corbin most of the rest of the day to even build something vaguely resembling a shelter. It was a very lopsided narrow, leaning structure between two trees. He fell out of it several times before settling down to a fit night of no sleep.

            Just before dawn, Corbin’s tired eyes drifted closed and he immediately dreamed. He found himself in a large auditorium. The massive stone walls were lined in gold. Great shafts of light angled down from the ceilings, in crisscross patterns, providing the light for this place. Ornate statues were everywhere.  Seemingly from every time period he had studied.

            What is this place? He thought.

            Its Mine.  Came the quiet response.

            Who are you?  He screamed.

There was no answer. Just the wind.

Corbin awoke just as his face contacted the dirt underneath his hammock.

 

Several hours later, he rolled over to the biting of some ants. He swatted at them and scrambled to his feet. He was covered with large welts from the bites and his skin began to itch. He quickly moved out of the area, swatting and scratching, but still the dream again dominated his thinking.

He drank the rest of his water, saving just a bit to splash on his face. A vain attempt to shake the cobwebs out of his brain.

As he made his way along the through the thick undergrowth, there seem to be a marked thinning of the trees. Slowly over several hours the way cleared. Off in the distance Corbin began to hear something. A slight roaring sound that progressively got louder and louder as he moved closer. The trees up ahead of him seemed to part and there before him lay paradise. A huge waterfall cascading over a cliff into a deep, clear blue pool. The pool was rimmed with vines and all manner of flower. It was something out of a dream.

“My God.” He said aloud. Corbin took one long stride and dove in.

The water was crystal clear and cool. He broke the surface and cleared the hair out of his eyes. He wanted to shout his joy at this place. He swam for a while, taking huge gulps of water, filling his belly and restoring his spirit.

            After a while, Corbin swam to the shore and found a large flat rock. He stripped off his clothes and lay on it, sunning himself. Almost instantly he fell asleep again.

            The dream began where it ended the night before. Walking down the long auditorium.

            This is magnificent. Who could have built such a structure?

            My followers, came the reply.

            What? Who are you? He asked the air.

            I am she.

At the very end of the hall, Corbin noticed a figure standing on a throne. The figure was motionless, clothed in white shimmering cloth.

            What do you want of me? He asked.

            You are mine.

No answer.

            He shouted again. What does that mean?

Corbin awoke with a start and found that he had a massive erection. His hand was clenched around his flesh and he was close to orgasm. Suddenly he burst forth with a shuddering climax like none he had ever experienced. He cried out loud as the orgasm ripped though his body. He sat up quickly and leaped back into the water, not only to clean himself off, but to make sure no one had seen him. Foolish as it was to believe that there was anyone around.

Sheepishly, Corbin sat naked on the rocks waiting for his clothes to dry. The experience that he had earlier still fresh in his mind and bothered him greatly. He was such a man who never lost control, even when he was in the throes of passion. So waking up from that dream masturbating was something unknown. That damn dream. Its seems to be – calling me. For what? He wasn’t sure. But something was becoming clear. These dreams were linked to the Lost City of the Dulgai for some reason. A gnawing began to grow in his stomach. He was going to find out what all this meant. At all costs.

“ Lead on. ” He said to no one.

He dipped his canteen in the pool and filled it one last time with the clear water of the pool. He shouldered the strap, made a slight adjustment and turned to the West.

The sun was beginning to set when Corbin noticed that the forest seemed to be thinning. True, it was. And thinning in a very specific manner.

“Lead on.” He said again.

The Trail?

Impossible.

The dream was becoming – true.

Corbin took a deep breath and began to walk.

Hours later he was still walking. Slowly the sun dipped down and the forest went pitch back. Stumbling he went on. As he did the forest became alive around him. Bug, birds and noises that he could not identify surrounded him Terrified him. Drove him forward. His feet began to ache. Several times he fell, skinning his knees on limbs or roots. His hunger was unbearable, and yet he bore it. He had become an automaton, his legs on auto pilot. Walking down this impossible yet possible place with every ounce of his strength and then some. Sweat poured into his eyes, stinging them. But he walked on.

“Where are you!!?” he screamed.

Nothing.

“I’m coming! Where are you?”

He tripped again and fell. His jaw slammed shut, biting his tongue. He tasted blood and lay in the dirt. Gathering his strength again he began to crawl. Repeatedly he tore his pants and his shirt. His fingers began to bleed, his knees as well. Finally with one last superhuman effort he crawled a bit more and fell crying to the earth.

“Please. Please. Please.”

 

And then no more.

 

Corbin awoke to the sun. He was lying on his back and with some effort he rolled over. He wiped the dirt from his eyes and saw the temple. Corbin blinked and climbed to his knees. Impossible. It was there! But last night it wasn’t --- The lost temple of the Dulgai.

“ Real” he croaked.

Stumbling to the foot of the temple, Corbin looked up at the seemingly endless staircase and began to climb. One stair at a time.

 

The top of the pyramid was lost in the mist of the early morning. But with each passing moment it loomed closer. As he got closer, Corbin began to cry. At first he was not sure why he was doing so. But soon it didn’t matter. Tears streaming down his face he reached the top and the pitch black opening.

Using the wall to support himself, he crawled to his feet. He stood in the door way for a long moment. Walk in and embrace your destiny or turn around and die. The rectangular door was covered in cobwebs. Corbin pulled some away.

What do I do?

Enter.

Yes.

Corbin walked into the doorway.

 

The temple was just like he had seen in the dream. Statues everywhere from seemingly every time period. Shafts of dim, broken light crisscrossing the room. Corbin began to walk down the long hall. With each step, the spider webs that covered everything seemed to fade. As he took another step the shafts of light grew stronger, brighter. As if the temple was coming alive. And with each step he took he gained a bit more energy and his pace quickened.

“I can’t believe it.”

“Who are you?” he said again out loud.

“I am she.” Came the reply. But this time the voice was not in his mind.

“You are real?”

“Yes. I am.”

“What do you want?”

“I want you, Neal.”

Corbin stopped.

“How do you know my name?”

Now at the far end of the hall, he saw the figure. This time it was clear. There, on the dais stood a woman. Brown hair cascading down a flowing dress of sheer white. Her hand was extended towards Corbin.

“I know everything about you, Neal.”

“Tell me.”

“Your drive consumes you. To the exclusion of all else. Especially love.”

“Love?”

“Yes, love. That is what I lack as well.”

“You need love? Love of others?”

“No, Neal.” She stepped forward, both arms reaching out, “I need your love. And you are welcome for the water..”

“The water? My – love. You said my love?”

“Yes. I need it so.” Her deep blue green eyes held him fast. Corbin couldn’t move and found that he didn’t want to. What he wanted he wasn’t sure he could desire. She was something that couldn’t possibly exist. A goddess. Yet there she was. So perfect. So. Perfect. As he watched her, she reached up and tugged at one corner of her gown. With a slight whisper, it fell to the floor.

“Come to me, my love. For you are mine. And I am yours.”

Corbin stared at one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. Her body was hour glass shaped. Large, full breasts that stood out, defying gravity. Her skin was silky white and flawless. A thin waist lead down to full hips. Wave upon wave a dark brown hair fell at her shoulders. Corbin suddenly could see himself grabbing handfuls of her hair and forcing her mouth down on him. Corbin stumbled forward, shedding his clothes as he did. When he took her in his arms, one of her hands slid down and took a hold of his erection. With calm tenderness that he had never shown a woman, Corbin lowered her to the floor.

“Take me. Please. Fill me, my love. Again and again.”

“Yes, beloved. I am at your command.”

“Fill me, Neal. It has been so long and I have been so lonely.”

As Corbin thrust inside her, feeling the warmth of her body engulf his, she wrapped her legs and her arms around him, covering his face with hot blooded kisses.  Suddenly images, sounds, and a whole universe exploded into Corbin’s mind. He found that he was out of breath and then realized that he had forgotten to breath. The universe expanded around him and as his body whirled past stars he found her there. She was everywhere. In every atom, ever star or super nova. She was the world. And he could not escape. Now Corbin found that he didn’t want.

As the two of them found a mutual rhythm, Corbin felt he could do this forever. Nothing else seemed to matter.

Reading his mind as she so often would, she whispered in his ear.

“Forever. My love. We shall love for an eternity.”