Apotheosis
a novel
by E.I. McAllistair
Song of Sophangence
Book#3
Apotheosis
Song of Sophangence, Book #3
Copyright © E.I McAllistair 2020
Editor: E.I. McAllistair
All Rights Reserved
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Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This book is entirely a work of fiction based on real-life locations,
organizations, and institutions.
Any correlation with real people or events is coincidental.
To Erin, your strength and tenacity is a beacon that keeps me driving steadily along my path
-E.I. McAllistair
1
Though he wanted to pretend everything was fine, Anaar knew in actuality his smiles and genial attitude were all a lie. Going through his day seemed like it should be easy, but instead it was overwhelmingly painful. Once again, he and Phavian were back at odds with one another. Though he often joked that was their normal state of being, he did not actually enjoy such a state.
Since having the conversation about creating more balance in their lives, their relationship had surely become better, however it seemed Phavian was always mad at him about something. If he was not mad at his secrets, he was mad at his own weakness in comparison to Anaar’s which drastically conflicted with the way he saw himself. If he was not mad at him for those reasons it seemed there was some other random reason for him to be angered or annoyed.
Anaar thought himself to be fairly easygoing, accepting of everyone and all schools of thought, even if they differed from his own. He believed it would be boring and unfair to expect everyone to conform to an arbitrarily proposed standard that only served to hinder not only a person’s growth, but growth as a society overall. Phavian was supposedly a believer of at least some of that doctrine, or else he would not have created the Seeds of Life, but at least in Anaar’s mind, he had one of the hardest times living his creed.
Sitting at lunch with his friends, he was present but also distant, surprising them since he usually was always able to pick up the thread of a conversation even when his mind was somewhere else. Finally, it was Thom of all people, who had decided to sit with the merry band that called him out.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?”
Initially not paying attention to his words, he looked at Thom with a glazed over expression trying to make sense of the large man’s words. “What’s wrong with me?”
“Yea, you are acting like you are in outer space or something.”
“I’m sorry I just have a lot on my mind.”
Looking at him in disbelief, “Well of course you have a ton of shit on your mind, you still have a perfect ACR. If you didn’t have a ton of shit on your mind, I’d say you were cheating.”
Stefani giving a nervous chuckle to the clueless man, “Thom, I don’t think that is what he means…”
Thom still had not gotten over the savage beating he received at the hands of his secret crush Stefani, so even though he took opportunities to sit with them when he could, anytime she addressed him directly, it was too much for him to bear and he fell oddly mute. Only giving her a small nod and not speaking anymore, he continued to eat his food without bothering Anaar anymore.
Stefani understood when Anaar was this detached it was best to occupy his mind with other things, so she tried to change the subject to something else that was lighter.
“So Anaar, how are things coming along with your practice? I know you are going to be amazing because you always are, but I would be lax for not asking!”
“It’s good, no complaints.”
Not the answer she expected, as Anaar shared her passion for music, though no one would know if he had his way. She realized things were worse off than she thought. She was furiously thinking of something to turn the conversation around or help him out, but she was answered before she had the opportunity.
“I’m going to head out everyone, see you later.”
Reaching her hand out to grab his arm before he left, “Call me if you want to talk okay?”
With a nod he leaves Thom and Stefani alone since the others had already departed, which makes Thom begin to act quite awkwardly as he is not used to interaction with the gorgeous girl without a buffer. Walking out of the Cafeteria, Anaar knew he had quite a bit of time before his next class, so he decided it could be spent taking in the scenery of Sophangence, hopefully putting him at ease.
He had come to be used to it at this point, but the campus of Sophangence was always manicured and breathtakingly beautiful, even in the winter months. Thanks to the protective dome around the school, the snowfall was always just enough that would be scenic without being overbearing. The school somehow also managed to prevent the disgusting clumps of grey snow that had not yet melted and were no longer their pristine white from when it had freshly fallen.
Now walking around, there was nothing but verdant grass everywhere despite the season, sliced into intricate shapes by paved paths, the smaller ones for walking, and the larger ones for the autonomous shuttles the school depended on which were run by Hobb. If it were not his school, it could be said Sophangence would be a fantastic tourist destination with the care put into its upkeep and all the unique architecture around the campus.
Since he was just walking about, he decided to ask Hobb how he felt about the situation between him and Phavian. Appearing in the corner of his vision wearing a tight V-neck T-shirt and body-hugging shorts, he seemed all too happy to entertain Anaar’s thoughts.
“You are in one of your moods again. It is unbecoming of someone with your looks to frown like that. It does nothing to take away from the horrendous attire you seem not only content with, but determined to wear.”
Ignoring Hobb’s obvious jabs, as he had become much freer with his speech as of late, Anaar dove right into his concerns.
Should I have called him? I mean he did make an ass of himself and me, but Merc wasn’t exactly helping. The thing about Merc though is that they tend to respond according to how people address them. Phavian was clearly in the wrong, and his attitude did a 180 as soon as he realized it was Merc. I thought he was past all of that.
“I cannot speak to Mr. Ingraham’s feelings, but it is clear Mercurial falls into the category humans have in which they refuse to reconcile their differences. I could understand why, I do have a number of videos of their encounters…”
Hobb!
“You are right, that was a breach of privacy, I should not have told you that.”
That was completely not the point, but moving right along… I know Phavian is like that, he bottles up his negative traits and tries to hide them from the world so he can retain his perfect image. The problem is, I’m the one who has to deal with it when they finally come up. I don’t know what to do so he is more comfortable showing he is normal and flawed like the rest of us.
“Please do not say those words to Mr. Ingraham when you do speak. I can assure you they will not go over well.”
What? Why wouldn’t they go over well? What did I say that was wrong?
“Your presumption is that the image you portray is one of imm
ense flaws. While someone like myself knows how much you struggle with your own conflicts, even those closest to you see only the consummate model for perfection. Has it occurred to you telling others to not attempt perfection would only be seen as you trying to prevent them from taking what you believe is yours?”
But I’m not perfect! I’m far from it! I have killed thousands of people, yet I walk free. I have done some fucked up shit to people, even though I thought they deserved it, and no one is even aware. I have insecurities like everyone else. I wish people would stop painting this grand image of me that isn’t true!
“I have many studies which indicate humans will always seek to emulate that which by their understanding is the pinnacle of their being. Only five living beings, other than yourself know about your insecurities. Even if they are aware, they are burdened with the weight of keeping those insecurities a secret from others. This means they have no other choice but prescribe the notion the masses have which points to your perfection. It is unfair of you to disregard their sacrifice.”
This is so annoying! I know what you are saying makes sense, but it somehow simultaneously doesn’t make sense! I’m not trying to be perfect! I simply can’t tell everyone I am a mass murderer, even though that is what people think of Demolitionists anyway. No one is going to look at me-
“Anaar I apologize but I must interrupt you. I have… troubling news.”
Looking at Hobb’s face, Anaar could tell the AI indeed was having a difficult time with how he wanted to broach the topic.
Just say what you need to say Hobb, whatever it is I’m sure it is fine, I can handle it.
“As you wish. There has been a massive disturbance on campus, an explosion, and one quite localized and severe.”
Oh shit, that is no good. Was it in one of the science labs? I heard those Chemistry classes can be really intense…
“No. It was toward the western portion of campus. That is not the difficult news I wished to tell you.”
Ok what is it then?
“Mr. Ingraham was caught in the blast and has been rushed to the hospital in critical condition. From the data I am looking at, he has been burned to a state that is unrecognizable. It seems even our medical staff can do nothing for him. He has little time left to live.”
Just then Anaar’s entire world began to swim. All day he had been wondering how he would fix the issues between them, yet somehow once again Phavian was in a life-threatening situation. How he managed to get himself into such things were a mystery, though to be fair, one time was completely his fault. Taking a moment to recompose himself and get his bearings, Anaar took off at a full tilt sprint toward the hospital. As he was running toward the hospital, nearby on the path a shuttle slows to a stop for him.
“I have brought a shuttle, you will tire yourself out and be quite sweaty by the time you get to the hospital.”
Boarding the shuttle gratefully, Thanks Hobb.
Speeding toward his destination, he gets to the hospital in record time. Bursting through the doors, he frantically rushes up to the nurses’ desk. The man there looks at him with much concern on his face as Anaar’s manic and frightened expression combined with his sudden entrance into the facility was quite startling.
“May I help y-”
His words coming out in a huff and much louder than he anticipated, “Ingraham, Phavian! I need to know where he is, how he is doing. What room is he in? Is he okay?!”
“Just calm down sir, let me look at the system here…” The man reviews the files on the computer and there is a shocked gasp from him. “He is in the Intensive Trauma unit but visitors aren’t-”
“I don’t give a flying fuck about visitors! Where is it?!”
“I’m sorry there can’t be any visitors, especially given the severity-”
“I’ll fucking find it myself!”
Turning from the man, anger and worry seething in a dance that coalesced into one and then separated again, this process repeating over and over, his heart racing, he looks around the room until he forgot something important.
Hobb you know what to do. I need the fastest route to that unit now!
“Calculating and transmitting to your overlay.”
Running down the hospital halls dodging and weaving between staff as they give him shocked and annoyed stares, he makes his way up two flights of stairs toward his destination. When he finally arrived, it seemed Hobb had also updated the path to take him directly to Phavian’s room. As he is running, he is stopped by two women and a man.
“Sir there can’t be anyone here. This is a trauma unit for only the most severe-”
“No shit! You think I haven’t found that out by now?! My boyfriend is dying in there and you are stopping me from seeing him!”
“You are Anaar Vorpahl?”
“Yes! Why does that matter?!”
“You definitely may not enter, for the patient’s safety.”
Placing his hands on his head in disbelief, “The patient’s safety?! That patient has a fucking name! Why would I be a threat to his safety?! He needs me there!”
“Reports indicate you are the one responsible for Mr. Ingraham’s injuries.”
In that moment everything seemed to fade to white. Here this woman was standing there, not only attempting to bar him from seeing Phavian, but now she even was trying to say he was responsible. What kind of sense did that make? He was not some abusive boyfriend who harmed his partner and suddenly became remorseful once the deed was done. What was this woman thinking?
“Reports?! What reports? From whom?! Actually, I don’t give a shit! I am going to see him, and I am going to see him now!”
“Sir, please calm down. We cannot let you do that. For the safety of the patient-”
“Call him ‘the patient’ one more fucking time and I swear it will be your last words. You say I’m responsible for whatever happened to him. This is the man I love. Imagine what I would do to all of you if you don’t let me pass. I am tired of this bullshit! I will destroy this entire building if you don’t-”
From the side, a sultry but stern voice rings out over the din. “Let the boy through.”
“But Headmistress, if he attempts to harm the… Mr. Ingraham…”
The entire space became heavy with Ixnes Sastre’s presence, indicating she was not to be questioned. “If he becomes a threat do you think I will let anything happen? Now who are you to disobey my orders!?”
All three nurses drop their heads in understood supplication. “Yes Headmistress.”
“Child, come.”
Following obediently behind Ixnes, Anaar leaves the three nurses there, still afraid of looking up from the floor. As they strode down the hallway, she gives orders to everyone she meets.
“Stabilize your patients and leave. If you tarry for too long, I promise you will regret it.”
With everyone nodding, that oppressive force emanating from her like a thick cloud, almost everyone left immediately, the few other patients obviously not in such a dire condition at the time they would test the Headmistress. When they arrived at Phavian’s room, she gave the same speech, telling the staff to close all the curtains for privacy on their way out.
There Anaar saw only a body, completely wrapped in bandages. Even if he had forced his way in, he would have never found this room on his own if he were planning to do so only by recognition. Trembling, he looks to Ixnes for an explanation.
“Do not ask me child. If I am to believe the few reports we have, you would be the one with the missing pieces to the puzzle.”
Voice weak, the words caught in his throat, he could feel Phavian’s injuries from where he was. “Did the doctors do nothing? He… He is barely alive…”
Raising an eyebrow in his direction, “My you never fail to impress me, even in a time like this. This is the result of what the staff here was able to do. As you are no doubt aware, everyone has their limits, and neither the active Medics, nor the regenerative Medics can do much more for him.”
“Child, you are powerful, but not that powerful. Seeing your devotion in this moment I am positive you had nothing to do with it, despite what I know, but even some things are beyond you. I simply wanted to give you the chance to say goodbye. I must prepare to tell his family.”
Radiating with power, Ixnes for the first time felt what it was like to be on the receiving end of someone with monstrous might who was exerting their influence. Never had she felt a pressure so heavy, enough that it made her knees nearly buckle. It was at that time she saw something which would forever elicit terror from her. Anaar’s eyes, normally vibrant, were once again the dark pools that appeared to have no bottom to their depths.
“I don’t accept it. I refuse it.”
Edging closer to the bed, Ixnes watched apprehensively as the large man knelt by the bedside, his form leaned over the body that was all but a corpse. As Anaar came closer, the damage became more and more staggering, making him think it would be a daunting task even for him. For over an hour, he poured the most potent regenerative healing into Phavian he could, all the while constantly weaving in active healing, section by section of his body.
Though Ixnes could not see, Anaar had begun to perspire heavily by the halfway mark, but he refused to give up. Nerves were damaged, seemingly beyond repair, skin non-existent, muscle fibers cooked and charred as if they were placed over an open fire for a long time. Even his bones had many fractures in them all throughout. The toughest part for Anaar was Phavian’s brain, which he had no training nor experience with healing, but he refused to heal his body only to leave his mind in tatters. Finally, he made a triple layer of regenerative healing, two orbs, one near his brain, another in his stomach, and a barely perceptible barrier over his body. When he was finally done, taxed and pushed to his utmost limit, he fell backwards on the floor unconscious.
When he awoke over two hours later, he found himself in the plush chair, Ixnes sitting in the room with him. Immediately he rushed back to Phavian and checked to find he was much better than he was before, and decided to up his dosage of regenerative healing. Though this would tax Phavian much more, he could sense at this point his body needed to be allowed to work on its own terms rather than Anaar directly healing on it. With Phavian taken care of, Anaar turned his sights on the Headmistress sitting in the room with him.
Apotheosis (Song of Sophangence Book 3) Page 1