The Requiem Collection: The Book of Jubilees, More Anger than Sorrow & Calling Babel: Novel Set

by Eric Black

  “Pishacha?”

  “You know, the creatures that almost ate you a few minutes ago?”

  “I’ve heard that name before.” Babel said to himself.

  “Anyways,” Triana continued, “generally the Pishacha can handle themselves so there is no need for the Klopph to come. But since you started a fire out of thin air and some of the Pishacha were injured, the Klopph will come.”

  “The Klopph that killed my father.”

  “Yes, the Klopph that killed your father. But you do not want to face them alone. Come with me, there are more that feel as you do. You can take on the Klopph later but now is not the time.”

  Babel reluctantly agreed and followed her towards her home.

  As they walked, she told him about herself. Her father had cancer and after high school, she was forced for forgo college so that she could work full-time to help pay for her father’s medical expenses. Her mother dedicated her days to taking care of her father. Her brother worked as many hours as he could get between two jobs but disappeared one day coming home from work. It was a terrible blow for her family. They suspected the Klopph but did not dare accuse the Klopph publicly. Her father died a few months after her brother disappeared, never knowing what exactly happened to his son.

  After her father died, her mother used the community life fund (Babel wasn’t sure what that was but figured it was something like life insurance) to pay off all of his medical bills. There was not much left over but it was enough for Triana to finally go to college. Triana insisted her mother take the money but she would not hear of it.

  Triana’s mother lived with her and one day as Triana was returning home from class, she found her mother dead in the kitchen. Her mother had never gotten over the disappearance of her son and the death of her husband. She had grown ill and the ailment had finally taken her. Her neighbor called it Death Sickness.

  Triana went on to graduate and although her uncle and his family attended the graduation, it wasn’t the same as her parents and brother. She joined a local information firm (again the terminology confused Babel) after graduation. But lately business had slowed and because of her limited tenure, she been a casualty of downsizing. They gave her a three-month severance and that was two months ago. She had only recently moved into a smaller, cheaper apartment and was considering her next move.

  This is where Triana was in her life when Babel met her. Babel could relate. He told her as much of his story as he could without revealing exactly where he was from.

  “I’m glad we met.” Triana told him as they reached her apartment.

  “I am, too.” Babel answered truthfully.

  They went up the flight of stairs to her apartment. Once inside, Babel was intrigued. The design of the apartment and décor was curious. There were curves where there should have been straight lines. The floors were painted. The living room had a window but the window ran across the top of the wall along the ceiling. Her décor consisted of shapes, often multi-colored. There were shapes sitting on every table as well as hanging from the walls.

  “Do you like?” Triana asked.

  “Very interesting.”

  “Thank you. I decorated myself. I know it’s a little old fashioned but that’s me.” Babel nodded in feigned understanding. “So, do you want something to drink?”

  “Sure, that sounds great.”

  “The fridge will conjure you up something. Just let it know what you would like.” Babel was not sure exactly what she meant. “Make yourself at home. I need to put on some more comfortable clothes.”

  Babel nodded and looked towards the kitchen where he spotted the fridge. He was trying to figure out how he was going to make the fridge conjure when he noticed that Triana had not moved from where she was standing. She had taken off her shirt.

  As beautiful as Triana was and as much as he would like see what she looked like under her clothes, he did not want to give her the wrong impression. “What are you doing?”

  Triana looked at him. “What do you mean?” She slid her hand behind her back to unclasp her bra.

  “Look, I don’t want to give you the wrong impression here. I think you’re a very attractive woman but I didn’t come to your apartment with any expectations of anything.”

  Triana looked at Babel confused. She dropped her hand back down to her side. “What are you talking about?”

  “Do you always undress in front of strangers in your living room?”

  “What difference does it make where I undress? Do you have a problem with flesh?”

  “No, no problem. I think you’re a beautiful woman. I just didn’t want you to get the wrong impression about me.”

  “Babel, you’re not making any sense.” She took off her bra and then her jeans.

  Out of respect, Babel turned his head. “Obviously there are no boundaries on nudity here.” he said to himself.

  “There, that’s better.” Triana said after she had changed. “You know, I have some of my brother’s clothes here. I kept them in case he ever came back. If you want to change into something more comfortable for the evening, you’re welcome to them.”

  “Thanks, I’m okay.”

  “Suit yourself. If you change your mind, the clothes are in the dresser behind you.” Babel turned and saw a round dresser that had been painted green.

  “Thanks. So,” he said changing the subject, “what do you do in the evenings? Read books? Watch TV?”

  “TV? Why would I want to watch a disease?”

  Babel looked around the living room and saw that there was no television. “Never mind. So, really, what do you do for entertainment?”

  “Usually I spend the evenings on the balcony reading. I like to look out over the city as dusk is settling in.” Babel could appreciate that. “Would you like to join me?”

  “That sounds nice.”

  “We have to be back inside before dark. If not, it is a violation.”

  Babel was not exactly sure what she was talking about in regard to violations but he figured he would learn soon enough. “Okay. But before we go on the balcony, where will I sleep?”

  Triana showed Babel to the small spare bedroom of the apartment. “At least there are beds here.” Babel thought.

  He followed her out to the balcony and was amazed at the beauty of the city. The sun was just beginning to set and Triana and he watched silently as the sun slipped behind the buildings.

  Afterwards, they went back inside and Babel realized how exhausted he was. “Well, it’s been a long day. I’d better get some sleep.”

  “That’s a good idea.” Triana agreed. “Tomorrow you will meet my uncle and his family. It should be very exciting for them.” Triana looked at Babel seriously. “You don’t know what you being here will mean to people.” She was right, he didn’t know. “Now get some sleep, you’ll have another long day tomorrow.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  The Keeper looked down at the dead body of the Chokka. The Klopph had done well.

  Many years prior, he had organized the Klopph, with him as their Keeper. He initiated a coup and overthrew the elected Chokka from world leadership. All of the Chokka had been killed by the Klopph – or so he thought.

  A short time after the coup, the Cancellarii, the highest ranking Klopph (the Klopph gave up individual names upon entering their service) informed the Keeper he had learned that one of the Chokka had escaped prior to their arrival. The Keeper was furious and beheaded the Császár, the Chokka elected leader of the world whom the Keeper had temporarily spared.

  Now that escaped Chokka had returned. And now he was dead.

  The Keeper had searched for many years to discover where the Chokka had gone. There was a theory by his leading scientists of alternate worlds that existed alongside their world. The Keeper thought this was ridiculous. One day, however, his view changed.

  Ten years after he had taken control of the world government, the Keeper stood looking out across the land behind the Palātium, the palace of the Chokka.
His eyes were drawn to the clouds which were swirling. He thought at first it was a tornado but he was mistaken.

  Soon, among the swirling clouds, he observed an opening in the center. The clouds then dropped from the sky, slowly edging towards the ground. Finally, the eddying clouds lowered to his eye level on the balcony. It was then that he saw what was in eye of the clouds. He saw the other world.

  The eye looked as though it was occupied with water. And beyond the water, he could see people.

  He watched mesmerized and realized that the clouds would soon touch the ground. He didn’t know how long the eye would last and decided that the other world he saw must be proven.

  He called for three of the Klopph on the grounds beneath him and ordered them to enter they eye. As soon as the clouds touched the ground, the three Klopph entered. A moment later, the clouds dissipated and they were gone.

  Afterwards, the Keeper called for his committee of scientists. “How is this possible?” he asked. “Has this happened before?”

  For several months the physicists explored what they knew and theorized what might have caused the eye. During that time, the Keeper kept watch for the return of the Klopph. Years passed and there was nothing.

  Twenty years after the Klopph entered the eye, one of the Klopph returned. He did not return alone. With him were not the other two Klopph as the Keeper had expected. Instead, with the Klopph was someone he did not expect – the Chokka who escaped.

  Now that the Chokka was back and dead, he had no opposition. The power of the world was at his disposal.

  The Keeper was tyrant, that was not disputable; but he was also a fair leader. Plus, he was smart enough not to govern on fear alone. In many regards, he was respected by the people of the world. He had continued the prosperity that the world had seen under the Chokka and the threat of war in the world had all but been eliminated. His army was so powerful that no one else had the ability to attempt a coup and be successful.

  The Chokka, however, inspired people. He knew that if a Chokka existed to rally the people of the world to his side, the Klopph would not be able to stand against a revolution of that magnitude.

  Most of the world had never met a Chokka. Despite that, the knowledge that a Chokka existed would build the self-confidence of the people and insurgency would entail.

  The Keeper looked down at the Chokka who had escaped and was glad he was dead. “No one will know of this man.” He had killed him himself. He used the blade on which his own father had died at the hands of the Chokka’s Minister of Security.

  He kicked the dead Chokka and spit on his corpse through a grin. He had won. There was no one left. Later that night, he would have the body of the Chokka incinerated, leaving no body to serve as a martyr to rally the people of the world.

  The Keeper went back to his office and sat down at his desk. Now that the business of the Chokka was resolved, he returned the stack of documents requiring his attention. “This world requires too much paperwork.”

  The Keeper had been reviewing a report on the conditions of the farms in the Outerlands, when he heard a knock. He knew it was the Cancellarii. The Cancellarii was one of the few Klopph allowed to enter his office. “Enter Cancellarii.”

  The Cancellarii entered the room. The Klopph wore solid black clothing with helmets adorning a single symbol of the Keeper. Across their faces they bore a cloth that projected the image of the mouth of a barren skull. Only their eyes were shown to the world. The Cancellarii was distinguished only by the symbol on his helmet blazoned in silver.

  “Sit.” the Keeper offered. “Would you like something to drink?”

  “Thank you. Tea will be fine.”

  The Keeper nodded and conjured a cup of hot tea from the small refrigerator in his office. He handed the drink to the Cancellarii. The Cancellarri removed the cloth from his face and took a sip. The Keeper looked at the face of the Cancellarri. Sometimes even he forgot they were human. “This is very good. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome” the Keeper answered. “Now, what news?”

  “The physicists tell me that with the help of the Klopph who returned with the Chokka, they have determined how to recreate the eye in the clouds.” The Keeper looked at the Cancellarri with an expectant expression. “It seems that those many years ago, the portal was opened by accident by our own physicists. They had no idea they had actually opened the portal.”

  “So how does it work?”

  “It is very simple. The portal is opened by the energy of the Chokka. The Chokka called the portal the Bejárat.”

  “How did our physicists manage that?”

  “They were calibrating an energy device and accidentally recreated some of the Chokka energy. The released energy is what opened the portal.”

  The Keeper was amazed that it was so simple. “And what else did you learn from the returned Klopph?”

  “He learned much about the Chokka. The Chokka called himself John.” The Cancellarrii looked at the Keeper. “He has a son.”

  The Keeper looked up sharply at the Cancellarri. “So this is not over?”

  The Cancellarri shook his head. “It is not. The son is called Babel.”

  “Babel.” the Keeper repeated. “We will have the physicists open the portal and then we will deal with him. What did the Klopph say about this John?”

  “It took the Klopph quite some time to find him. Once he did, he learned that John and his son had started a business, a construction company. The Klopph assumed another name and was hired by the construction company. For several years he worked for John and Babel.”

  “He did well bringing him to us. Is there anything else?” The Cancellarrii did not answer at first and the Keeper knew the news was not good. “What is it?”

  “There was a disturbance in the Elder Quarter. Some of the Pishacha there were burned. We investigated…and we found strong energy traces of the Chokka.”

  The Keeper looked at the Cancellarrii sharply. “Strong energy traces, are you sure?”

  “I checked them myself.”

  “But, how…” The Keeper stopped himself. He knew who it was. There was only one Chokka left alive. “So the son followed his father here?”

  “It seems so.”

  “To find his father?”

  “Of that I have no doubt.”

  “Very well, you have a new mission. I give this to you directly. You will find this Chokka and you will kill him. He and everyone who is helping him. The Chokka will not rise again.”

  The Cancellarri nodded solemnly and placed the skull cloth over his face. Inside, he was pleased. He always enjoyed death and was quite creative at making it happen.

  “It is only a matter of time.” the Keeper smiled to himself. He sighed and looked down at the next document in his stack.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  He stared at the ceiling of Triana’s living room and worried about his mother. He had left before his mother’s flight landed and hoped that she was back home safe. He also felt guilty in the level of concern he was causing her by being in this world.

  His bed hadn’t been very comfortable and he had slept on the couch. He could tell it was early. There was a clock in the kitchen but the time did not make sense to him. There were five numbers displayed that indicated the time.

  He looked around Triana’s apartment and saw that her bedroom door was still closed.

  He rose from the couch and went to the refrigerator. He remembered what Triana had said the night before about the fridge conjuring. He wasn’t sure entirely what that meant but he sure could use a cup of coffee.

  He stood in front of the fridge and noticed a screen on the front door (he looked for a way to open the door but did not see one). He stood there for a moment longer and feeling very foolish as he did, said, “Strong, black coffee.”

  The blank screen on the fridge changed to wavy static lines. Babel was not sure if this was good or bad. “Great, I broke it.” After a few seconds, the screen went dark again. Then, the scre
en lifted and placed on the tray behind the screen was a mug of black coffee. He picked up the mug and took a sip. Perfect.

  “That looks good.” said a voice from behind.

  He turned and looked and saw Triana. She was naked again, this time apparently fresh out of the shower. He hadn’t heard the shower running.

  He started to turn his head out of politeness but she caught his gaze and their eyes met. They kept each other’s eyes for a few moments. Triana smiled and Babel returned the smile. He let his eyes drift down her naked body. She was beautiful.

  Triana laughed. “Are you going to stand there looking at me or are you going to offer me a cup of coffee.”

  Babel blushed as he realized his look had turned into a stare. “Sure,” he managed, “what would you like in your coffee?”

  “I take it black, the same as you.” Babel nodded and then turned and conjured a cup for Triana. When it was ready he handed it her and she took a sip. “Perfect.”

  “Agreed.”

  Triana smiled and walked to the couch. Babel watched her as she walked, taking her in. She sat down and looked at him and Babel again realized he was staring. “Do the Chokka not go without clothing?”

  The question was very direct and took Babel a moment to consider his response. “Why do you ask?”

  “You seem surprised that I am naked in front of you. Is this not your way?”

  “Sure, I get naked but it tends to be more of a private thing.” Babel answered uneasy.

  Triana smiled, a slight tease in her eyes. “So I make you nervous?”

  “No, not nervous. Nor uncomfortable. It’s just not what I’m used to.”

  Triana looked at him seriously. “It must be strange to be a Chokka.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “You seem so different. You do not look different but on the inside – you are different.”

  “There might be a few differences but from what I can tell overall, we’re pretty much the same.”

  The answer seemed to satisfy Triana, at least momentarily. “Would you feel more comfortable if I wore clothing?”