The Ancient Civilization and its Remnants in the Caroline Islands

The Nan-Matal, located on Ponape, is a key site among these ruins, known as the 'place of frowning walls'^[1]. It is described as literally three rectangles: an outer sea-wall, an inner courtyard wall, and a second inner enclosure with a terrace^[1]. Within the inner court lies the great central vault, believed to be the treasure-house of Chau-te-leur, the 'sun king'^[1]. Opposite this vault is the 'moon rock' that conceals the Moon Pool^[1]. The moon rock is a slab of stone, about fifteen feet high and ten wide, with a subtly different color and a peculiar 'deadness'^[1]. Touching it produces a shock like 'frozen electricity'^[1]. The base of the slab is slightly curved, resting in a smooth, semicircular depression, suggesting it functions as a door^[1]. Above the lintel of the moon rock are seven small circular convexities, which are its operating agency, sensitive to moon rays and releasing the mechanism that opens the slab^[1]. The Moon Pool itself is a circular pool, about twenty feet wide, with pale blue water and a glimmering silvery stone rim^[1]. Seven shafts of radiance, originating from seven shining globes above, stream down upon the pool's surface^[1]. These rays are essential for the materialization of the Dweller, a being of living light that radiates and is filled with light^[1]. The Dweller's appearance is accompanied by sweet, insistent tinklings, like pizzicati on violins of glass^[1]. The Moon Pool is where the Dweller takes shape and where Dr. Throckmartin's wife, Edith, and his associate, Dr. Charles Stanton, along with Thora Halversen, disappeared^[1].

The ancient continent in the Pacific, from which these islands are believed to be the last points, was not rent asunder by volcanic forces like Atlantis^[1]. Ponape and Lele were the last refuge and sacred places of the rulers of this race, which lost its home under the rising Pacific waters^[1]. This lost race, the 'Taithu' or 'Silent Ones,' possessed a high science, mastering universal forms of energy, especially light^[1]. They developed a civilization and science far more advanced than modern humanity's^[1]. The Dweller, or 'Shining One,' is a creation of the Silent Ones, fashioned from the ether and filled with the essence of life from Earth's heart^[1]. The Dweller was crowned with seven orbs of light, which are channels for its currents and sentience^[1]. However, the Silent Ones' pride in its creation led to the Dweller gaining its own will and becoming indifferent, embodying both utter joy and utter woe^[1]. The Dweller rebelled against its creators, seeking wider spaces and offering dominion to those who would serve it^[1]. It taught its followers, the Taithu, how to hollow out the Moon Pool chamber and create the seven lights to open a path for it^[1]. The Moon Pool became the means for the Shining One to emerge into the outer world, taking sacrifices and growing stronger and more cruel with each passage^[1]. The land above eventually sank, and the remaining people, now called the 'ladala,' were brought to this subterranean realm^[1]. The Moon King became the Voice of the Dweller, and a woman of his kin became its priestess^[1]. The Silent Ones, unable to destroy the Dweller they still loved, sealed the passage to the Moon Pool Chamber and changed the cliff face, leaving only a hidden way to the Dweller's abode^[1]. The Dweller has recently grown restless again, planning with Yolara and Lugur to emerge and conquer the world^[1].