“You couldn’t have just said that from the beginning?” Dustin replied.
“My memory failed me at the moment.” Dustin only nodded.
“OK, so once we get there, what happens?” Jane asked.
“Quite simple, actual y. The first step is to cause a raucous. This will attract attention and soldiers wil come over. Johnny and Ryan will take them out. Jane, I want you with me. Sam and Dustin will freeze the other guards. Once they are taken out, the chief officer will recognize you, and most especial y, me. I will go over to him and order him to
contact the Titan. Knowing him, Titan will have a ship flown here. It would not surprise me if he sends your friend. Once aboard, we go to Titan.”
“Wow, did you just think of that on the fly?” Dustin joked, rapidly blinking his eyes in amazement.
“Yes, in fact, I did.”
“Huh. I’m impressed.”
“We will do it in the morning, how’s that? I need sleep anyways.”
“Yeah, me too.”
CHAPTER 27
THE SCHEME
Titan was in his usual position when Justice strode into the throne room. She had gotten used to him standing there, in that position, staring into space.
“My lord, I did as you commanded. It turned out the head officer at the base was a rebel.”
“I take it you killed him on the spot?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Bravo.”
“How have you been doing, my lord?”
“Thank you for asking, Justice. Please, sit on my throne. I have so much to tell you.”
“I am honored beyond words, my lord. Thank you.”
She sat, armor clanging onto the hard stone of the throne—the throne he sat on fewer times than a single ant kil s a spider. “Please, tel me.”
“I have found the answer to my place in the universe. My purpose has been discovered. The human my emissaries procured has one constituent none of the former species I have witnessed has. You know what it is? A spirit. These lowly humans have the one thing nothing else in the universe has. They have this…artifact, if you wil , of a higher dimensional, non-corporeal reality. It is who they really are. Beyond the material, they do have a body. But it is not of this crude matter. It is made of particles unseen and untouchable by us. This spirit is the reason why they have so many spiritual wars, confrontations, and needs.”
“And why is this so important?”
“I had never told you my primary quest. But now I have found it. For thousands of years, I craved the entire universe. I have only gone an inch beyond this one galaxy. I must spread the Tetra—my empire—throughout the universe and help the ones who cannot help themselves and make life worse—to bring true justice and end the illusion of free will. But it is impossible to do that if I am only one. There must be more beings like me. And now, there wil be.
“The people of Earth are surrounded by thousands upon thousands of satellites.
These satel ites will be the vessels of my ascension and Justification. Once I reach Earth, which is my next target, I wil set up my Justification Machine. It will hack all the known satellites. Using my already built mechanism, I will shoot my own spirit into it.
This will cause a chain reaction which wil spread the Ooris inside me to every single satel ite orbiting Earth. After some time, my spirit shall occupy—possess—every spiritual being of that planet, namely humans.” Titan was now pacing throughout the large chamber, not able to contain his enthusiasm and anticipation. This had been made noticeable by the incessant gyrations he made with his arms and hands, making the explanation all the more fascinating and stimulating.
“And after that, I am unbeatable. Nothing will stop me! The pure Ooris I will wield will al ow my consciousness to morph the humans into myself, and they will gain my powers as well. Think of it. 7.7 billion Titans and counting. All aware of each other and connected through one consciousness. And if one goes down, there would stil be billions left. Yes, it will be quite an easy task to spread across the universe.”
Blinking thrice, Justice tried to form a response. “My lord, that is the most glorious idea my ears have ever heard. You wil be like a god.”
Facing the transparent barrier, Titan stared into the expanse of the universe beyond him. “There are no such things. A god is what we make it. Though I am convinced something caused the creation of the omniverse, the creator does not care about its creation and has instead placed the burden of justice for the inhabitants of its creation on my shoulders. And I will reign forever and ever, and wil never fail.” As always, his eyes were like daggers, penetrating through the cold darkness of space.
~~~
Early to awaken, both Dustin and Sam ambled to Sonovan, who sat just outside the refuge on the cliff. Johnny was sleeping on the floor again. “What a guy,” Dustin started.
“Takes the heat for us.”
Sonovan was outside, meditating on the cliff. The brothers went out to meet him there. Despite the time they had been with him, the three had not found time to chat, just them, alone.
“Yo, look at him. Looks like a monk.”
“My sensei was a samurai. He was taught the arts he would teach me. His base was solid.
“Initially, I had trouble grasping it. In my younger days, I was an energetic, vigorous, but selfish person. It resulted in my greatest mistake, the day I ignored the Xun’s sentries and traversed it, a portal to another realm. But, as your friend Johnny told me, the past is the past. Yet, al the years I have been in exile, my mind has so badly wished to go back and stop myself. I am faced with failure, and the blood of countless souls is on my hands. It is torture of the mind.
“But that is why I come out here. The harmony of nature soothes the senses and the mind. I am thankful Rez found this place for me. In truth, even Earth could not compare to this.” He pointed to the vast scene below.
“I guess you can say we know the feeling,” Sam replied.
Sonovan looked curious and amused, and motioned for them to continue. “When we were younger, about thirteen, our grandparents died. But it was our fault.” Sam got a bit teary-eyed while recounting it. “You see, we were busy playing video games and were both too lazy to get up and find the GPS.”
“GPS?”
“Yeah, it’s like a computer that helps you find your way to a place you want to go.
Anyway, they gave up and left after seeing we didn’t care. And, uh, they drove away to go to a store, but they never came back.
“We had just moved into our new house, and they didn’t know the way to get there.
While driving, they got lost and made a wrong turn. And, uh, that was that.”
“What happened?”
“Their vehicle hit another car. Both were, uh, killed.”
“I am so sorry.”
“But don’t you see? It’s our fault! We never even told our parents! Or them!” he cried, referring to the others.
“I see.”
Dustin looked down in sadness. Sonovan had not seen him like this before. “Yep, that’s the story,” he breathed, sniffling. “We were just a bunch of assholes. And the blood is on our hands.”
“I understand. We are all in the same boat, then. You caused your grandparents to die, and I caused the greatest being in the multiverse to take over and kill billions in the process.”
The brothers both chuckled under their tears. “Good thing we were born with a thing for jokes,” Sam said.
“Yeah, helps us forget,” Dustin sighed.
Sonovan stayed silent and nodded. A few minutes of stillness followed.
“I have enjoyed learning about and meeting each and every one of you. It has been such a pleasure and it brings me joy to learn about you al . Thank you for that.”
The brothers both smiled wide. “No, thank you, Sonovan. You’re such a good guy. I wish there were more people like you.”
“Does Earth have an absence of kind people?”
“Yeah, you can say that. There
are not enough. We’re on a shortage. Nowhere near the amount necessary.”
“Oh,” he responded as he nodded and closed his eyes. The two tried their best to imitate him. A cool breeze blew into their faces once again. In that moment, the brothers felt a peace they had never experienced. It was overwhelming, yet welcome.
Within the hour, the others had woken up. Each slid out of their sleep apparatuses and found the brothers and Sonovan on the cliff.
At the sound of their movement, Sonovan stood up. His black hair blew in waves in the steady breeze.
They said good morning to each other before Sonovan led them into the main room.
He already prepared breakfast. Since a variety of food is not in abundance, the food laid in front of them was Aphelion Turm once more.
Subsequently, the group cleaned the dishes, ironically, while Sonovan prepared their final lesson. Today they would teleport to the commanding station to the east.
“The lesson is ready. Come and learn the ways of old. It is your third and unfortunately final lesson. Well, maybe not. Anyway, come!”
For another ninety minutes, the students trained. Sonovan paced throughout, fixing improper stance or incorrect offensive and defensive maneuvers.
“No, that is incorrect, Ryan. For this one, the object is to squat near the ground.”
“But that makes no sense.”
“In Taekwondo, yes. It would make no logical sense. But this is not Taekwondo.”
“All right, I’ll try.”
Sonovan stepped into the imaginary ring and became his sparring partner. “Now, squat low. You want a low center of gravity, since it will keep you balanced once you strike. This move, as you can see, is suited for your specific abilities.”
Ryan spun behind Sonovan, who did the same. He then kicked Sonovan’s lower leg and fol owed with a spinning side kick. Sonovan countered by replicating an attack similar to that of a soldier. He used a large sword and sliced horizontally. Ryan ducked into a squat, which provided ample distance for the newly learned attack. He sprang from his position, shoulders square, and would have slammed into Sonovan had the latter not sidestepped in the last half-second.
“Excellent job, Mr. Slade!”
“All right, I think I got it. I like it. Fits me.”
Sonovan grinned in satisfaction. He left him, his attention distracted by the sound and sight of ice crashing into the ground and piling up into a frozen drift. “Hehe, that was cool,” Sam exclaimed. He spotted Sonovan with his peripheral vision and turned. “Get it? Yeah, I’m so funny,” he chuckled.
“Superb, Sam. You improvised without my advice. Superb, indeed.”
“Oh, uh, thanks!”
Because he nearly froze him, Dustin pushed Sam with air, blowing him into the ground. “Was that real y necessary?” he groaned. Sam’s long locks, now completely white, became disorganized. “You even screwed up my hair! Thanks for that!”
Leaving them be, Sonovan moved through the concentrated, engaged fighters and observed Johnny’s style of combat. It was swift and clever. Never did he move too much or use unnecessary strikes. This low consumption of energy increased his stamina.
Jane did not have to duplicate what the boys were doing, mostly due to her smal er frame. Instead, she resorted to telekinesis. So, levitation would prove to be an expedient assault. At times, she could even stop Johnny from getting to her. Sometimes he fell on his own, via slipping, or she would push him back.
Despite the time that had passed, Johnny still had not total y mastered superspeed.
In his opinion, though, the ability matched his personality to the T.
Once the ninety minutes were over, Sonovan arranged them into position. “My allies, over these couple of days, I have been fortunate enough to learn about each and every one of you. But now, you must put these lessons to use. I am sorry I could not teach you more, for we could be here for years, learning together. But time is of the essence, and Titan awaits you. We must be ready.” He led them into another room, where a gold chest lay. A key was put to the lock, and the chest opened.
Inside laid a conglomeration of parts. “This is the invisibility suit. Only I will wear it. I will sneak into the ship and will meet you in the throne room.”
“You only have one? Damnit.”
“Through the years I lost the others.”
The attachments were a hard material and shaped similar to the legs of a spider. It attached to the wearer’s chest and back, enclosing both. “Wow, cool,” Dustin said.
“Yes. Now, you must rest for two hours. Then, we depart. When we arrive at the command station, lay waste to it. Once that is done, call the Titan. He wil likely send your friend, so you must be physical y but also emotionally primed and ready.”
“We will be,” Johnny replied. Despite the fear that had surmounted, every person attempted to sleep the two hours.
Before heading to the sleep apparatus, Jane went over to Sonovan, who was unhooking the invisibility suit. “I have to say, there is a peace I sense in you now, apart
from the first few minutes when we met you.”
Sonovan looked up and smiled. “Yes, you would be correct. I have found that during the entirety of this whole predicament, my personality has changed quite a bit. Now, I feel fulfil ed and back in the game.”
“Thanks, by the way, for all the teaching and time devoted to getting to me. I’ve heard they have too.”
Shooting a glance at them, he nodded again. “They are very interesting individuals, and, in fact, I myself could not wait to speak with them, including you.”
She glanced at the floor. “I hope this never ends.”
He nodded and ful y unhinged the apparatus. “Neither do I, Miss Jane. Neither do I.
Anyway, I hate to interrupt, but I highly suggest you rest. There is little time.”
CHAPTER 28
INTO THE TITAN
Titan had ordered for Solis to meet him in the throne room. “Solis, I want you to steer us to Herook,” instructed Titan. “I have a feeling something is about to happen. The vil ains are not dead. Not yet. We must imprison them before they become a threat.”
“Are you sure? There is only one command station on it.”
“Do as I say. I have realized this is where Sonovan Lung has hidden all these years.
The Energy has stil connected us.”
“I see, Lord Titan.”
“Once we arrive, inform Justice she will descend into the planet and land at the command station there.”
“Very well.”
As Solis bowed and turned to leave, Titan stopped him. “Wait.”
The third-in-command stopped in his tracks, stationary. He turned. “Yes, my lord?”
“If I cannot turn them, I will inhibit them. We must have the Dragonstone cage ready.”
Solis nodded once, acquiescent. “We have never used it.”
“Then it should work good as new.”
~~~
Jane and the brothers decided to rest in the sleep apparatuses. Ryan and Johnny, on the other hand, ambled out to the cliff and sat, the melodic sounds of pots, pans, and ornaments blowing in the chilled wind. This time, Sonovan was not there but instead in his room.
“What do you think Rose is doing now?” Ryan asked Johnny. “I try not to think about it.”
Johnny sniffled. “Whatever it is, I don’t think it’s good.”
“You think we can save her? From him?”
“I believe in all of us,” Johnny replied. “Together, united, we will not be stopped. And if we get the chance, we kill him then and there.”
“I remember the last time I conspired to kill somebody,” Ryan said.
“I know, man. I know.”
Ryan turned in place, gazing towards the cliff entry to the hideout, imagining Sonovan in there—in his room—recollecting his entire life. What adventures had he been on? What battles had he fought in? Who had he met across the cosmos? “That guy’s been a father figure to me already.”
/> “Sonovan?” Johnny asked.
“Yeah. He’s so wise…so interesting and level-headed. I hope to be like him one day.
He understands.”
Johnny nodded and replied, “He is truly something special.”
“Where do you think he’s been? The universe is so large and time so long. He’s been around for one-thousand years. What worlds has he been to? What battles did he fight?”
“I suppose I can answer that inquiry,” Sonovan replied. He stood over them, a few feet away. He walked towards them and sat. “I have been to places you can only dream of. When I was part of a group of warriors, we traveled the galaxy, fighting battles in al eyways, forests, mountains, cities, ships—you name it. You yourselves have not yet been in that, but you might one day. All I can tel you is this: When with those you love, venturing across space for the light—fighting the dark—you feel limitless. I have lived long and seen all kinds of beings. But the sight of a lost soul is always the same.”
Amazed, neither replied. Sonovan did not add to the short monologue but grasped Ryan and Johnny by the shoulders. They stayed there, well-nigh embraced, for nearly fifteen minutes.
Waking twenty minutes before the set time, Dustin and Sam meandered through the refuge, knowing not of what to do or think. Sonovan found them in their worst moments.
“Is there anything you need, my compatriots?” he asked, leaning on the corridor wall.
Dustin rubbed the back of his neck, too emotionally drained to even respond to the gesture.
On the other hand, the eyes of Sam darted about frequently, as if searching for something to grasp and hold onto for dear life.
“Is there anything you need?” Sonovan repeated, stepping closer to them.
Out of nowhere, Dustin began to cry. Obviously unlike his personality, he tried to hide it by turning away and pushing the long locks of hair across his face.
Nothing he could do would ever conceal anything from Sonovan. The ancient man read him like a book. Stepping next to both, Sonovan turned Dustin towards him. “I know what you are feeling,” he comforted. “Many have been under the same.”
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