“We’re up against a pretty definitive time table. I was going to fill you in later, once we were able to zero in on His location, but I guess there’s no use waiting anymore, is there?” Wells said before taking a short pause to gather his thoughts. “We have a secret base on the dark side of the moon that has what’s called a master wormhole generator. We used to use it to communicate with our allies in the Andromeda Galaxy. When your mother helped The Righteous escape, she used the generator to send a distress signal to the Anokians back in the Andromeda Galaxy. Until that point, the location of the Equillian Federation’s prison here on Earth was a secret, but now that the cat is out of the bag, it’s only a matter of time before our space is invaded by an entire fleet of Anokian starships. Their ships are capable of traveling at nearly 150,000 times the speed of light. Even at that speed it would take quite a bit of time to make the three million light-year journey to Earth but I have it on pretty good authority that they set out for Earth nearly eighteen years ago. Our best guess says they could reach this galaxy within a matter of months.”
“This doesn’t make any sense, Wells! I thought you said I could stop this? What in the hell am I supposed to do against an entire fleet of alien spaceships?! Can’t you call some of your allies from the other galaxy to help us out or something?”
“Not any more. Our allies rely on wormhole technology for travel and communication from this distance. After your mother sent the distress signal to the Anokians, she somehow disabled the master wormhole generator in the moon base. Without it, intergalactic transportation and communication with our allies is impossible.”
“Then it’s up to the people of Earth. We’ll just have to unite our militaries into one and fight them all together,” I suggested.
“That’s not gonna happen, Sport. There’s too much bad blood between the nations of Earth to even dream of a unified front. It’s all a part of The Righteous’ plan. He’s got the rest of the world hating the U.S. because the U.S. is most powerful and now he’s got this country tearing itself apart as well.”
“Then, how do we stop them?” I asked.
“He’s not ready,” a deep raspy voice with a peculiar accent suddenly said from somewhere behind me.
I quickly turned and noticed a large elderly man making his way toward Wells and me. He was wearing a dark blue hooded cloak with several unfamiliar symbols imprinted on it. The tail of his long cloak flowed behind him as he approached. He had long flowing silver and white hair and a thick silvery beard that came all the way down to the middle of his chest. He stood around 6’8”, about six inches taller than myself, and despite the fact that his face made him look nearly ninety years old, the bulging muscles that showed even through his flowing cloak made it look like he could easily bench press over three hundred pounds. I could instantly tell that there was something odd about this man, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
“We still have time,” Wells replied to the man, as I stared at him in silence.
“And what do you hope to accomplish in what little time you have left?” the mystery man scoffed in his booming raspy voice as he dismissively glanced over at me. “This one would not stand a chance against The Greater. You’re a fool, Wells, and you’re praying for a miracle that will not come.”
I took a deep breath and exhaled as silently as I could as my blood started to boil due to his obvious disrespect. I had no idea of what they were talking about, but it sure sounded like this guy didn’t think very much of me, and it sure was pissing me off.
“What the hell is he talking about?” I asked Wells as the mystery man continued to disapprovingly stare at me.
“There is no cavalry coming to help us, Reaper. There will be no united army of Earth to defend us. In the end, only you can save us,” Wells said. “When The Righteous murdered the Galactic Counsel in order to gain dominion over the Andromeda Galaxy, he started a galaxy wide war that rages on to this very day. Even after he was captured and Eden was taken by our allies, his armies continued to fight and they’ll never stop unless ordered to do so by their High King—and that… is where you come in,” Wells continued as he nodded toward the mysterious elderly man.
“The Righteous may have been captured, but his people still view him as their King. In order to challenge the High King of the Anokian Empire for the Broken Crown, one must first challenge and defeat his protector, the Right Hand of the Crown. Once the challenger defeats the Right Hand he is then, by Anokian law, granted an opportunity to face the High King in combat for the right to rule the Anokian Empire… but to think that you, a degenerate half breed, could accomplish such a task is utterly foolish,” he grumbled.
“Wells, who the hell is this clown?!” I demanded, glaring at Director Wells as my face grew warm with rage. Normally, I was a lot more respectful of my elders but this guy was really working my nerves with his disapproving stares and condescending remarks.
“Mind your tongue, boy!” the man growled, flexing his massive forearms as he balled his hands into giant fists.
“He means well, Reaper. Just calm down, okay?” Wells asked, looking from me to the mystery man. I took a deep breath and nodded my head at Wells as the man continued to glare at me.
“Reaper, this is Ezekiel, The Elder. In addition to being one of my closest advisors he is also our best source of information when it comes to the Anokians,” Wells continued.
“Oh yeah? What makes you such an expert?” I scoffed.
“Because I am Anokian, boy—full-blooded at that. Not some half-blood scum like yourself,” The Elder arrogantly boasted.
“But I thought they all followed The Righteous?” I asked Wells, doing my best to ignore the man’s derogatory remarks.
“The Righteous is still my King but my ultimate allegiance is to Eden. It was he who started the Great War and it is because of him that our home was lost. I do what I do now in hopes that we may someday reclaim it.”
“Look, I know you obviously don’t have any faith in me but just humor me for a moment, will you?” I said firmly to The Elder. “What if I beat him—what if I challenged The Righteous and took the crown? Would I be able to stop the war and save Earth?”
The Elder narrowed his eyes and looked me over once again, as if he was deciding if it was even worth his time to answer my question. “Yes, if by some miracle you were able to justly obtain the crown, the Knights of Eden would be bound by the Goddess to kneel at your command,” The Elder said with his face still filled with doubt.
“Then I’ll do it. Tell me what I need to do and I promise you that I won’t fail,” I said firmly, hoping that I could persuade him to believe in me.
“It won’t work, boy. It simply will not work,” he complained as he shook his head and stared blankly at Wells. “I will not place the fate of my people in the hands of a child.”
“Hey, you don’t know anything about me!” I fumed.
“But I have watched you, Adam, The Reaper, and I know you all too well. Your Anokian blood gives you the right to seek the crown, but it would be foolish of you to do so. To earn the right to fight the High King, you must first defeat his Right Hand, and I assure you that you have never faced an opponent as powerful as Darius, The Greater. Thousands before you have sought to dethrone The Righteous but they all fell before The Greater. It is foolish to think that you would fair any differently.”
“I might surprise you.”
“He’s right,” Wells added. “And he’s also our only chance, Ezekiel.”
Several tense moments of silence passed by as The Elder continued to stare at me as if he was somehow contemplating my worthiness just by looking at me.
“So be it,” he begrudgingly grumbled as he reached into his cloak and withdrew what appeared to be a silver necklace with a circular charm the size of a silver dollar. “Kneel before me, boy,” he said to me as he pressed a button on the charm, then handed it to Director Wells.
Wells held the charm before him as I watched in silent awe. I had no idea
what was happening as a blinding, cone shaped wave of bright, blue light suddenly came cascading out of the charm and enveloped both The Elder and me.
“I said kneel!” The Elder repeated angrily as he glared at me.
Coming to my senses, I kneeled before The Elder and stared up at him as the shimmering light from the necklace continued to surround us.
“I am Ezekiel, The Elder—son of Isaiah, The Wise—Elder Priest to The Second Kingdom and servant of the Goddess of Eden,” The Elder boomed as he peered directly at the shimmering charm that Wells still held before him. “I have found you, Adam, The Reaper, worthy in your pursuit of the Throne of Eden, and it is my right, by order of the Goddess Herself and the Anokian laws that bind us all, to bestow upon you my blessing. On this day, I Ezekiel, The Elder grant you, Adam, The Reaper the right to challenge Darius, The Greater for the Right Hand of the Broken Crown. Now rise, Challenger, and accept this Mark, that you may show your true worthiness in your pursuit.”
The shimmering blue light that surrounded us suddenly intensified and engulfed the entire room, then faded away and disappeared completely just as quickly. By the time my eyes readjusted The Elder was now holding the silver necklace in his tightly clenched right fist and Wells was watching us in silence. I stood before The Elder and extended my right hand in order to receive the necklace. Still convinced of my unworthiness, The Elder stared at my open palm for a few moments before extending his hand and dropping the surprisingly cold necklace into my hand. My heartbeat quickened as I held the necklace in front of my face and marveled at the unfamiliar symbols that covered the beautifully crafted silver charm.
“That is The Mark of Eden,” The Elder said. “Once you challenge The Greater, you must press the button in the center of The Mark and present it to him in order to authenticate your right to seek the Crown.”
“Thank you,” I replied, nodding as I looked up at him.
“Your gratitude is misplaced, boy,” The Elder scoffed. “It is only because we have no other choice that I have given you this right—but know this, the path you seek will likely end in your demise.”
“What makes you so certain that I’ll fail?” I asked, as his disapproving glares started to take a toll on my confidence.
“You will fail, Adam, The Reaper, because you think you’re invincible...As if nothing could stop you… but you are wrong. For the blood of the Goddess courses through the veins of your enemy. Tread lightly Reaper… for when you face The Greater… you face the Son of Eden.”
The room fell silent as he finished his statement and continued to beam his disapproving glare at me for a few uncomfortable moments. I frankly didn’t know how to respond. On one hand, I was still pissed that The Elder was being such a jerk about his complete lack of faith in me but on the other hand he still had given me the right to challenge this Darius, The Greater, guy. At the end of the day, he had given me the chance to possibly save our world from impending doom, so despite his crabby attitude, I forced myself to remain thankful for the opportunity. Director Wells and I both watched in silence as The Elder finally turned and exited the room.
“So, what now?” I asked as I looked to Wells.
“Now that you have The Mark, we just need to locate The Greater. He’ll have no choice but to accept your challenge; however, the challenge has to be made in person,” Wells replied.
“Any idea of where this guy’s hiding?” I asked.
“We’re working on it. The Greater is just as hard to find as The Righteous and even if we do find him, I’ll be honest with you, sport, there’s no guarantee that you can win by yourself. Your combat skills have come a long way through your training with Ace but this guy is the real deal, and he’s also The Righteous’ only son so I don’t expect him to take too kindly to you trying to knock off his dad. I’m not doubting you, Reaper, but I want to be realistic. I can’t have you walking into this thing thinking it’s going to be a cake walk, okay?”
“Yeah, I got it,” I said flatly, trying to mask my disdain for the doubt that he was trying desperately to hide.
I stayed for about another thirty minutes and went over a bunch of the Anokian laws with Wells regarding the succession of the crown. It bothered me that Wells didn’t seem very confident in my ability to succeed but I took solace in knowing that he wouldn’t have suggested I take on The Greater if he at least didn’t think I had some chance of winning. The more I thought about that, the more I began to develop a newfound respect for him. Wells was always tough on me and, to be honest, he was quite the jerk, but at the end of the day he had shown that he had so much faith in me that he was willing to put the fate of our world, as well as an entire galaxy, in my hands. I probably should have been nervous given the possible apocalyptic ramifications of what was to come, but as I stared down at the ice cold Mark of Eden that I held in my hands, I could not have been more excited.
5. THE RIGHT HAND
THE GREATER:
“OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS GROW RESTLESS, MY LEIGE,” I said as I peered into the The Righteous’ dimly lit personal chambers. A sudden gust of wind picked up in the narrow hallway in which I stood, blowing loose strands of my black, shoulder-length hair into my face as I stood near the doorway of his quarters and waited for a response. I interlocked my fingers beneath my flowing white robe and patiently waited as several moments passed by in utter silence.
“Is that so?” The Righteous finally called out from the shadows, not bothering to stand or turn to face me. His voice came out much deeper and grittier than usual, no doubt a product of him having not spoken a word aloud in weeks.
“They were told the fleet would be here by now, yet not a single ship has arrived. It does not help that they have not seen you, their king, in months. I have done what I can to calm them, but I fear that there may come a time when only the word of the High King will matter to them.”
“And what then, my son? Will you challenge me for the Crown if the people demand it?”
“Never. I merely wish to convey to you the people’s need for word of their King, father,” I reassured.
“No. I must await word from the Goddess before—”
“She has not spoken to you in months!” I grumbled. I instantly regretted speaking out of turn, however I could not deny that some part of me was a bit relieved to have finally let him know what had been troubling me for so long.
“Yes, but we both know of the mysterious ways in which She works. I have to believe that Her silence is not without purpose.”
“What purpose could Her abandonment of us serve?” I demanded.
“It is not my place to question the actions of our Goddess, nor is it yours to question those of your King!” he snarled as he slammed his fists down on the arms of his chair.
“Forgive me, father. I didn’t mean to speak out of turn. I simply wished to convey to you the concerns of our people—concerns that I too share.”
“Your concerns are noted, my son, and your apologies are unnecessary. I understand all too well the frustration brought on by being away from our home for all this time, but you should know that our time is almost at hand. When last I spoke with the Goddess She revealed to me that the message sent within the distress beacon all those years ago was incomplete. Our people are aware of the galaxy in which we were imprisoned, but not the exact planet. By now, our fleet should be nearing this galaxy, but they will need further guidance in order to reach the Earth.”
“What do we need to do?” I asked.
“We must send a second message to the fleet containing the coordinates of the Earth.”
“But we have no means of interstellar communication,” I reminded him.
“I am aware. This is why we must return to their Area 51. That prison is the only place on this planet that has what we need in order to complete our own interstellar communicator.”
“Understood. I will see to it personally,” I said firmly.
“Very well, then.”
“Did the Goddess reveal anything els
e to you before She went silent, father?” I asked, curious as to if She had revealed the location of the one who was destined to become her new vessel.
“She did. She told me there was no need to look for her vessel, for the chosen one would search for me,” he answered.
“Is that all?” I asked.
“No,” he said. “She also told me that my son would try to kill me.”
“Father, you know that I would never seek the crown so long as you hold it!” I declared.
“Let us hope that that is true,” he said after a few moments of silence.
I stood there for a moment contemplating the gravity of his words. It was true that I had had periodic thoughts of my right to seek the Crown, but I had never given it any serious consideration. Still, it troubled me that the Goddess would say such a thing. What troubled me more was the fact that, so far, everything She had told him had come to pass.
6. FREE TIME
HOWIE:
- THE NEXT DAY
THE EVENING SUN HUNG LOW OVER THE HORIZON AS JASON, Reaper and I made our way toward Reaper’s all-black, two-door sports car parked at the edge of the street near our metro-Las Vegas safe house. We had all planned to hang out on the day before, but we weren't able to do so due to the Manhattan incident. Wells had given us a few days off to cool down, so now that we had a bit of precious free time we decided to head into the city and grab a bite to eat. Reaper was wearing his typical dark jeans, black shoes and another of his myriad of graphic T-shirts. Jason had chosen a pair of much more expensive jeans, dark leather sneakers and a long-sleeved plaid collar shirt that only he could have pulled off. I never really wore anything other than slacks and a polo but since we were going into the city I had decided to wear my favorite leather jacket as well. I still didn't look anywhere near as stylish as Jason, but the jacket certainly gave the illusion that I was dressed better than I normally was.
“Shotgun!” I yelled as Reaper remotely unlocked the car as we neared.
Savior Part 2: Son of Eden (The Savior Series) Page 5