He felt weak both in mind and in spirit. Coherent thought was something that eluded him. How long he had been like this was another question without an answer. Trapped without food or drink, he had only survived this long thanks to his body's ability to sustain and heal itself. But even that had its limits. In reality, it might have just prolonged this torturous ordeal.
Finally he had the hazy recollection of movement. The featureless void that he had lingered in for so long slowly changed. A room that seemed vaguely familiar appeared, occupied by a gorgeous woman in a red outfit. He didn't recognize her, but whoever she was, he would make a point of getting to know her better in the future. Much better.
Instead, the lovely woman started to speak strangely and make odd gestures. "Magic", he mentally realized. By the time he had cogitated that simple thought, the room and the woman were both gone. He was back in the trackless void once more.
His stay in limbo was a brief one this time. Reality warped around him once more and he now found himself outdoors. With weary eyes, he took in the scenery around him. He was lying in damp sand with waves gently lapping at his feet. It was bright and sunny, the sky a clear blue. High tropical grass and palm trees gently swayed in the warm breeze.
To his surprise, the scene didn't fade this time. It was real! He was finally out of the void! He was going to survive this ordeal! Captain Valor would triumph once again!
His exuberance was short-lived as he started to lose consciousness. Nearby, unseen hands silently parted the tall grass and studied the unmoving man lying on the beach. He could sense someone approach as the blackness claimed him once more.
The man known as Captain Valor drifted in and out of consciousness. He could vaguely recall being picked up and carried off by strong hands. There were bits and pieces of how they traveled through the tropical jungles down beaten paths. Then there was a clearing featuring a makeshift hut. The small structure looked like it was constructed only out of on hand materials. Bamboo branches formed a framework while woven palm leaves served as walls. He was carried inside and gently set on a woven mat.
"Drink this," a melodic voice stated after few moments. "It will make you stronger."
Cap could feel his head being lifted and something poured into his mouth. He eagerly accepted the liquid having gone so long without anything at all to drink. The substance was foul tasting and he nearly choked on the bitter brew. What he did swallow however had an immediate impact as his head quickly began to clear.
After blinking a few times, Captain Valor opened his eyes and got his first good look at his rescuer. She was an attractive woman, but nothing like the woman in red he had seen a short time ago. This woman was Polynesian in appearance and virtually naked. She wore a short grass skirt around her waist and primitive shell jewelry around her neck, wrists and ankles. The fact that she was topless was instantly noted by Valor.
"Is this heaven?", he asked as he stared.
The mystery woman appeared confused by the question. "You are on Malikie in the Tanbora Islands. Kaloni found you and will heal your wounds. I do not know of a place called Heaven. Was that the destination of your ship?"
"My ship?"
"I found you washed up on the beach. Your ship must have crashed out on the reefs. Rest now. I will go search for other survivors."
Before Captain Valor could respond, the woman known as Kaloni made a quick gesture before his eyes. Suddenly, he grew very weary and drifted off into a deep sleep.
Kaloni rose from Captain Valor's side and set her coconut shell of healing brew aside. The strangely dressed man would sleep and heal, recovering from his ordeal. While he did so, she would search for others from the vessel that brought the man to these distant shores.
Reaching the entrance to her hut, Kaloni gave a short, loud whistle. A moment later, the jungle foliage parted and a great cat came forth its muscles rippling as it walked. The massive feline easily came up to Kaloni's petite waist. The beast gave a friendly roar and padded up to Kaloni to be greeted and petted.
"Hello, mighty Shala," Kaloni whispered as she paid attention to the great cat by scratching his ears. Shala enjoyed the attention being lavished on him. "I have a task for you, my friend. Guard the man in the hut and see to it that no harm comes to him. I must search for other survivors."
Kaloni stepped away, much to the disappointment of Shala. As she did so her appearance began to change. Kaloni's form grew smaller and feathers began to grow on her body. Her arms took on the shape of wings, while her legs were greatly compacted and turned into clawed talons. In seconds, the Polynesian woman had completed her metamorphosis into a falcon and took flight. Kaloni rapidly rose above the palm trees and winged her way towards the nearby beach.
Shala growled his understanding and slowly walked towards the hut once Kaloni was out of sight. The great cat entered the hut and sniffed the sleeping Captain Valor. Once satisfied, the massive feline curled up before the entrance and would wait for Kaloni to return.
"Wow, I had the strangest dream...", Captain Valor started to say as he sat up. He felt great. Energized, full of vigor, and ready for action. He pitied the next criminal that he came across for Captain Valor was on the top of his game. Upon seeing that he was inside a primitive hut, the Avenger stopped in mid-sentence. He shook his head as if trying to clear it, but nothing changed. Maybe his vague recollections were real.
Mighty Shala let out a growl of greeting that immediately got Valor's attention. "Holy crap!", the Captain exclaimed as he tried to put distance between himself and the jungle cat. Shala watched on with a cat's curiosity, but maintained his assigned post. "Nice kitty, good kitty."
"Wait a minute," Valor spoke aloud to himself after regaining his composure. He rose to his feet and pointed at the still prone feline. Mighty Shala continued to be indifferent to Captain Valor. "I'm Captain Valor! I'm not afraid of any overgrown tabby! Just try something Morris and I'll give ya a knuckle sandwich!"
"Do not be alarmed, stranger. Shala will not harm you unless I so command it," a vaguely familiar voice called out. Turning, Captain Valor caught the tail end of a woman changing from a small falcon into a petite island maiden just outside the hut. She resembled the native beauties he had seen on Hawaii with deep golden tans and long dark wavy hair. There was a wild, unkempt look to the woman. "I see my healing brew has restored you."
"I remember you now! You're the island babe with the great-- uhm, jewelry. You brought me here." Remarkably, the woman made no effort to cover herself. She seemed complete oblivious to the effect her near nakedness was having on the hero.
"Kaloni did find you on the beach and bring you to her hut to be healed. I am sorry, but I could not find any of your crew. I fear that they are lost. They belong to the sea now."
"Crew? What crew? What are you talking about? Who are you?"
"I am known as Kaloni," the woman calmly explained as her bare feet casually stepped over Shala. The great cat lazily cleaned his ham-sized paw. "I found you swept up on the beach. You must have been on board a ship that hit the reef. I welcome you to these islands."
"I wasn't on board any ship," Valor countered as he looked about, but didn't stray too far from Kaloni. "I was-- Hell, I can't explain it. Just some of that nutty magic must have done this to me. That stupid crystal that Sargon was studying must have sent me on a one way trip to Hawaii."
"Foul sorcery is involved?" That seemed to concern Kaloni a bit. As the protector of these islands, Kaloni was always on the lookout for potential danger. Practitioners of evil magic were a common foe. "Do you think that the sorcerer who sent you here will follow after you?"
"Hey, don't worry your pretty little head there, darlin'. Captain Valor will protect you. You do recognize me, don't you? After all, I am a world famous superhero, just in case the cool costume wasn't enough of a giveaway. If you'll just point me to the nearest telephone, I'll call up my buds and have them come and pick me up."
"What is tell-a-fone? I know not of what you speak. You are a stranger to my eyes." Kaloni seemed genuine in her response. She truly had no clue to the identity of the man standing before her.
"How can you not recognize me? I'm Captain Valor. You know, the Captain Valor? A founding member of the world famous Avengers? The sharp dressed idol of millons of men and lusted after by millions of women?"
Confusion continued to be evident in the face of Kaloni. The meaning of Valor's words eluded her. "You are a captain? The master of a ship? Perhaps you were hurt worse than I suspected in the crash?"
Captain Valor threw his arms up in frustration. "Oh, I give up! I told you I didn't get here by ship! You must be one of those nutty back to nature freaks who gave up civilization to live in the woods and eat nuthin' but nuts and wild berries." Valors strode forward, past Kaloni and over Shala smartly and out into the clearing.
Kaloni followed quickly behind while Shala continued to clean himself. "Wait, Captain Valor! The jungle is not a safe place. Kaloni can show you the safe way!"
"Don't worry about it, babe. I can more than take care of myself." Captain Valor sprung into the air and took flight, much to the surprise of Kaloni. "Thanks for everything and I just love your look. Don't change a thing. Love the shells. I'll be back to personally thank you later. Ciao, babe."
Valor quickly accelerated, rising high over the jungle. From up here, it looked like a blanket of green covered the island. Captain Valor rose higher and higher in an attempt to locate civilization. The entire island could now be seen below him. There were no cities, no towns, or any sign of other inhabitants.
There were no ships, boats, or sport craft out on the water. The crystal clear water, tropical climate, and sandy beaches struck him as the ideal vacation spot. Why was no one here? There weren't even any signs of docks for boats.
Other nearby islands came into view, a few sporting volcanic cones. Choosing one at random Captain Valor accelerated towards it. This one was a bit larger than Kaloni's Island. There was a collection of huts on the southern tip of the island. Outrigger canoes could be seen in the water as the natives were playing out nets for fishing. The fishermen were all dressed in a style similar to Kaloni. What little clothing they wore had been fabricated out of the local fauna.
Fishermen pointed at the hero as he flew over them. Most seemed genuinely afraid of the garishly dressed flying man. They quickly pulled in their nets and tried to paddle to safety. One fisherman even launched a spear at Captain Valor, but it fell far short of the hero.
"Hmph," Cap grumbled. "Bunch o' whackos if you ask me. Must be part of 'Tigers fan club. No accounting for taste."
Understandably puzzled, the Captain continued onward. Nearing the village, Valor noted that it was equally as primitive as Kaloni's hut. There were no overhead power or phone lines. Natives were cooking outside on spits over open fires. None of the native women wore tops and upon seeing the Captain began to rush the children to safety.
"Weird," Captain Valor commented to himself as he flew on. "It's a whole community of back to nature types. They all act like they've never seen a genuine superhero before." Undaunted, Valor continued on. There had to be civilization around here somewhere. It was just a matter of finding it.
Two hours later, Captain Valor hung motionless high in the sky as his cape billowed about on the swirling winds. He had done a quick visual exploration of the islands in this immediate area. What he found was several more native villages, a few abandoned ruins, but not a trace of modern society as he knew it.
"It just doesn't make sense," Valor quietly rationalized. "How can a place like this exist on Earth and be completely untouched by civilization in this day and age? You'd think that resorts would be all over a paradise like this? Greedy land owners gobbling up land, rich folks on vacations, and curvaceous babes gettin' all over tans."
The hero thought back to the events that had landed him in this situation. He had been at the Avengers Mansion with the Black Tiger and Sargon the Sorcerer when an alarm had gone off. The monitor brought up the source of the trouble: a flaming giant was melting the front gate to the mansion!
Black Tiger and the Captain rushed to confront the intruder only to find him gone when they arrived in the front of the mansion. Instead, they found a unknown orange and golden yellow costumed teenage girl. The girl was surprised by the appearance of the heroes and flew off in a trail of flames.
Valor gave chase, but lost the fiery teenager. She returned a moment later to lead Valor and the Black Tiger on a chase back to the Mansion. The strange girl burned her way into the mansion and was never seen again. While searching for her, the heroes came across Sargon who was studying a strange crystal. The last thing Valor could remember before appearing in the trackless void was reaching for the crystal.
"And then after that weird place, I'm where ever in the hell I am at now," Valor mentally concluded. He had thought it to be Hawaii based on the appearance of Kaloni, but it could equally have been anywhere in the South Pacific. But where?
"Captain Valor!", Kaloni's voice cried out. "There is danger!"
Turning, Valor could see that the island maiden had changed back into her falcon form once more. "Cool superpower being able to change into a bird. Can you do anything else?"
"Watch out!" Kaloni frantically tried to gesture off behind Captain Valor with her wing, but only had moderate success. "Rocara comes! Flee!"
The Avenger shrugged in response. "What's a Rocara? Sounds like something they'd serve in an Italian restaurant."
Kaloni screeched and dove away in fear. Valor watched as she streaked away. "Geez, what's bugging that crazy broad?"
Captain Valor discovered the answer to that question a split second later as something slammed into him from behind! Not only that, but his unknown assailant continued on with Captain Valor! The hero could feel tremendous pressure on his chest and back as if was being held fast in a giant vice.
Looking back, Captain Valor discovered just what Rocara was. "Jesus Christ!", he exclaimed as he found himself held fast by a gigantic beak belonging to the biggest bird that he had ever seen! Rocara was massive in size. The creatures' beady black eyes were the size of a softball and its wings easily eighty feet wide. Those wings propelled the bird on, while it tried to break Captain Valor in two with its razor sharp beak.
Fortunately, the Captain was far tougher than any native islander. His skin resisted Rocara's bite, but the pressure being exerted on him was incredible! Breathing was rapidly becoming difficult.
"Let me go, you overgrown parrot!" Valor swung his right arm and smacked Rocara on the side the head. The great bird cawed its displeasure, but continued to clamp down hard on Captain Valor.
"I said back off bird-brain!" Captain Valor channeled all his might into a powerful two-handed smash directly between Rocara's eyes. That seemed to do the trick, as he felt the pressure on his torso lessen. Grabbing the beak with both hands, the Captain strained to force it open. With a cry of triumph, Valor succeeded and flew free of Rocara's beak.
Rocara screeched loudly, as the massive bird banked and turned back towards the hovering hero. "Yeah, come on back, Big Bird. I ain't done with you yet! Nobody tries to eat me and gets away with it!" Valor did a momentary double take as he realized what he just said. A giant bird was trying to eat him!
Captain Valor continued to hang in the sky, waiting for his foe to arrive. He gauged the bird's speed while he gathered his strength. The great bird continued to close rapidly while Valor waited. Rocara screeched in triumph as his meal was being so cooperative.
At seemingly the last moment, Captain Valor flew out of Rocara's path and landed a haymaker on the side of the great bird's head! "Take that, loser! I'll knock you all the way back to Sesame Street!"
Valor watched as the giant bird went tumbling backwards end over end and started to fall towards the sea below. Rocara never did regain control and slammed into the ocean lifting a tremendous spray of water.
"Captain Valor one, giant birds nothing! Game, set, and match!"
"Incredible!", Kaloni stated as she flew back closer to the hovering Captain Valor. "I've never seen anyone defeat Rocara so easily! Never again will he terrorize these islands. How can I ever thank you?"
"Well, with a fine babe like you, I'm sure something will come up," Valor answered with a grin. "But I don't think I killed the giant parakeet."
A moment later, Captain Valor realized just how wrong he was. More splashing and thrashing could be seen and heard in the water below. Rocara was desperately trying to fly away, but was being held down by several sea creatures.
"Holy crap!", Valor exclaimed in astonishment. He easily recognized the creatures as being sharks, but it was their size that amazed him. There were four of the aquatic killing machines, the smallest being perhaps seventy feet long. The largest was over one hundred feet in length! Gigantic bites were taken out of the floundering Rocara at a furious rate. In under a minute there was nothing left of Rocara except stray feathers floating on the water's surface. The ocean predators swam off looking for their next meal.
"I'm not on Earth!", Valor shouted in realization. "That's the only possible explanation. That stupid crystal dumped me off on some backwards planet! Son of a--!"
"What is this place called Earth?", Kaloni inquired.
"Huh? Oh, Earth. It's my home planet, another world far away from me now. I don't know how I can get home." The full realization of his situation hit Valor. He was marooned on some strange, faraway world. Potentially for the rest of his natural life.
"You are welcome to stay here in the Tanbora Islands," Kaloni said after a long pause. "I will introduce you to the natives and tell them of the great deed you have done here today. They will welcome you. Come."
Kaloni, turned and started to wing back to her home island. Reluctantly, Captain Valor turned and followed. What else could he do? He quickly pulled up along side of Kaloni. "Can you do anything else besides change into a bird?"
"As the protector of these islands, I have been given by the spirits the ability to change into any animal. Be it a bird, a great cat like Shala, or even a fish. I can also speak to the animals."
"Well, aren't we just a regular Dr. Doolittle?", Valor observed with a grin. He never dated a superbabe who could change forms before. That should make for an interesting time in the bedroom. "So what do you call this place?"
"These are the Tanbora Islands."
"No, I mean this planet. The world where the Tanbora Islands exist."
Kaloni considered for a moment. "I have overheard passing sailors speak of a such a thing. They call this world Terra Nova."
Epilogue:
Hundreds of leagues to the northeast, the crew of the Windsabre held their collective breaths. The wooden sailing vessel was built for speed but was currently only gently being moved by the ocean current. The crimson colored sails had been furled and stored for safekeeping. The crew manned their stations and tried to remain as silent as possible. Nerves were on edge as any noise might attract unwanted attention quite possibly inviting the destruction of the Windsabre.
The source of their concern was currently sailing past less than eighty yards off their port bow. It was a massive warship christened the Ebony Fist. Wind filled its black sails propelling the vessel to speeds faster than it could achieve by the enslaved rowers. A ram had been incorporated into the bow that vaguely resembled a clenched fist. It was made of blackened wood and was the source of the ship's name: the Ebony Fist. It was the closest vessel in an entire fleet of warships that encompassed dozens of vessels.
Noise from the warship could easily be heard on the Windsabre at this short distance. The pounding of the rowing drums sounded like the beating of a massive heart. The oarsmen kept time with the drums as best they could. Those who failed to do so felt the sting of the lash. Their cries of anguish and pain carried far over the water. Orders being given and carried out by the crew could be plainly heard as well.
Amazingly, no one on the Ebony Fist even noticed the presence of the Windsabre. It was as if the ship wasn't even there. Thanks to the spells that had been cast and the magic that had been invoked, that was how it was supposed to appear. The fleet had caught the Windsabre unaware, forcing them to hide instead of trying to outrun the warships.
After what seemed like an eternity, the Ebony Fist sailed past the Windsabre and began to move away with the rest of the fleet. The hustle and bustle of the passing ship was replaced by the lapping of waves against the hull of the Windsabre. The fleet grew smaller and smaller until it was only a black spot on the horizon. Eventually it disappeared entirely.
Once that had occurred, the master of the Windsabre let out a long sigh of relief. "That was a close one," Captain Jess remarked to her passengers. "Fine work by your sorcerer. His magic concealed us completely from the warship. I could use such a skilled man among my crew. Still, I am beginning to wonder if this is all worth it."
Captain Jess was a short woman, with long black hair. She wore a scarlet colored scarf on top of her head, tied off to one side. A large, circular golden earring could be seen dangling from her one exposed ear. Her blouse was equally crimson in color. It had been tied off below her breasts, leaving her stomach bare. The sleeves had been rolled up leaving her tanned arms exposed except where covered by her short scarlet leather gloves. Captain Jess wore a pair of high red leather boots, one of which had been folded back and tied off with a scarf near the knee. Several golden anklets were worn on the outside of her boots. Black britches and a sword belt complete with a saber finished the woman's attire.
"You will be paid handsomely for your assistance, Captain Jess, as I promised you." The speaker was an unusually tall woman with flowing blonde hair that was restrained by a silver headband. It was obvious that the woman was very muscular in spite of the protective armor she wore. Her body protection consisted of well-worn thigh-high black leather boots and matching arm-length gloves. Black leather armor also covered her torso and a long sword hung at the ready in her scabbard. "As for Sargon, I doubt that he would enjoy the life of a pirate."
"Piracy is such an ugly word, don't you think, Lyndah? I prefer to think of myself as a swashbuckler, looking for adventure and excitement. Should I become wealthy in the process, so much the better," Captain Jess responded with a laugh. "Only out here on the ocean do I truly feel at home. Out here, I am the master of my own destiny. On my ship I am free to roam and travel as I see fit. Free from the politics and struggles back on land."
"If that fleet is any indication, the Armies of Darkness are moving out into the seas," the woman known as Lyndah countered. "You might find your freedom greatly curtailed. Join with us against this empire of evil. Together we can make a difference. You would find all the adventure and excitement you so cherish."
"You speak with the tongue of a siren," Captain Jess answered with an amused look. "But your words will not sway me into joining sides. If things become too dangerous in these seas then I will travel further south in search of others to plunder. I will get your band to your destination, nothing more. I will honor my part of the bargain."
Captain Jess walked away from the taller woman and started to bark out orders. The well-trained crew immediately went into action. The scarlet sails were unfurled and hoisted to the masts. They quickly filled and the Windsabre was on the move once more, cautiously following the black fleet.
The woman warrior known as Lyndah paid no heed as Captain Jess gave the orders to continue on their way. Instead, she continued to stare out to sea as if expecting new trouble to arise. The journey had been a difficult one thus far. Lyndah was still heavy of heart and felt the pain of her mentor's death.
"My band," Lyndah thought wistfully. That was a responsibility that she had never wanted. But regardless, it was one that had been thrust upon her. Those who had survived the attack all turned to her for guidance and leadership.
The Armies of Darkness were on the move again after all these years of relative peace. They had made preemptive strikes, removing potential enemies before they could gather their strength. The legendary band of heroes known as the Avengers was just one such target.
So many friends had died in the attack including her beloved Terrance. She could still vividly see him being struck down by enemy spellcraft, his body burned beyond all recognition. His death cries would haunt her for the rest of her life. Lyndah had greatly enjoyed the time she had spent with the gaudily garbed gladiator, never imagining just how fleeting those moments really were.
As painful as that was, there was one wound that would never truly heal in spite of Kristine's best efforts. Lyndah's friend and mentor, the Hunter of Evil, had been killed, his soul sucked out of his body and crushed by vile magicks leaving behind only a lifeless shell.
But as grim as it might seem, all was not lost. Divinations performed by Kristine suggested that there was a way to revive their fallen leader as far-fetched as that might sound. Some method to him bring back from the spirit world could actually exist. Lyndah didn't understand how this could be possible but swore that she would die trying to find it.
Bearing their leader's body, the surviving Avengers fled to the south. Reaching the ocean, they located a port and hired the freebooter Captain Jess to take them to where the divinations had indicated. Someplace out in the vast ocean called the Tanbora Islands...
