by Egan Yip
CHAPTER 25
The Calm Before
Reza and Drey crossed over the ceiling of the atmosphere, and as they did, onlookers from below only saw two shooting stars, jetting across the sky. When they reached the immeasurable blackness of space, high above the surface of the planet, they immediately recognized their fellow kind in human form, floating around in groups. Seeing that the other Guardians were using human forms, they reverted back as well.
One of the Guardians saw the two of them from a distance and flew out to meet them. Because they were now in space, the Guardian used a mental link to communicate with them, but he still moved his lips as if he were actually speaking. “Reza! Drey! You guys are alive! I haven’t seen you guys for a year. How’ve you been?”
“Who’s leading this group?” said Reza impatiently, ignoring the Guardian’s greeting.
“Your father, Beld,” the Guardian replied. “Come, I’ll take you to him.”
“My father?” Reza was shocked. “Why would my father be leading? He is only of the 75th generation!”
“Take a look around,” said the Guardian. “There are only several hundred Guardians from the 66th to 77th generations in this group. While Beld may be of a younger generation, among us there is no dispute that he is most qualified to lead.”
“What’s going on here? Where are the elder generations? Why didn’t they come to deal with such an important matter?” Reza demanded to know.
The young Guardian’s face remained grave. “We were caught unaware. Several cases of the same situation randomly popped up across the galaxy. We had to split up to investigate each case. But because we discovered this one last, whoever was left was sent here.”
Reza furrowed her brow. “What? More cases? How’d this happen?”
The Guardian shrugged. “No clue. In any case, you must speak with Beld. He’ll be happy to see you.” The Guardian beckoned for Reza to follow and he led them to where Beld was.
Beld was in a meeting with several of his most trusted advisers. They sat around in a circle, floating in the middle of space, apart from the rest of the larger group. In the center of their circle was a holographic three-dimensional map, which they examined to gain understanding of the land and of the capital city. Several tiny orbs swerved about, drawing the map using thousands of colorful miniature-sized rays.
One of his advisers said to him, “Judging from the size of the city, I estimate a population of a few thousand if not more. Regardless of the exact amount, we are greatly outnumbered. Also take note that they have drunk the blood of the core. As it is, we are at a disadvantage.”
Beld replied, “Yes. Though part human, they are not to be underestimated. Direct conflict would be dangerous. The only advantage we have is the element of surprise. They should not know our capabilities. If so, we can exploit their weakness and crush them quickly.”
Reza spared no time and interrupted their meeting. “Father, you must stop this. We have investigated the planet. Most of the people down there are innocent! We cannot allow the innocent to perish for the sins of a few.”
Beld lifted his head up and caught sight of her with the corner of his eye but he did not he turn his head to see her. “I haven’t seen you in a year. Now that you’ve returned, you tell me this? I’m sorry, but I cannot comply. The attack must go on. If we do not reach the core, many more will perish.”
Reza pleaded, “Please, Father. Don’t do this. The immortals are stronger than you think! A war will end with unnecessary casualties on both sides. If you give me time, I know I can get us through. Some people are friendly and I’m sure if we explain the situation to them—”
“The humans?” Beld said, “We cannot rely on them. They caused this.”
“But Sorren is also…”
Beld grew fierce. “Sorren? I told you never to mention that name in front of me ever again! That wretched fool is the one who started this mess in the first place!”
“No!” snapped Reza. “He’s never done anything wrong! If anyone’s to blame—”
He motioned for several others to come close and ordered them, “Take Reza and Drey and restrain them. They must not be allowed to interfere. They’ll be of no use in the battlefield.”
As they took hold of her, Reza struggled. “Listen to me, father! This will not end well!”
Beld shook his head. “I’m the leader and what I say will be. You are deceived so easily, my daughter, by those humans. I, however, will not be swayed.”
Meanwhile, inside the castle of the elders, a knock rapped on the door of Rendall’s chamber. Rendall sat quietly in his chair with his back to his desk; he gazed through the window to observe the clear, yet ominous, sky with wonder. Rendall was in human form, wearing gallant red garbs. He brushed his fingers across his beard and groaned wearily, deep in thought.
“Come on in,” said Rendall.
Windzer opened up the door and approached the desk. “Still star gazing?”
Rendall hummed. “It is quite an amazing sight. Very beautiful—especially the way they move ever so slightly in spiraling shapes as if they were dancing in space. How deceptive when I think of what destruction they’re capable of.” Rendall swiveled his chair to face Windzer. “I am, at the moment, a bit bitter. I followed your instructions and let those kids roam underneath the castle in hopes they would finally bring enough evidence to start a rebellion. Yet, why is it that we are at this point right now? Why are we in a position where everyone may very well die in a few hours? Can you please explain this mystery to me?”
“Sadly,” said Windzer, “this was unexpected. I was unaware that one of them was a package carrier. If they didn’t have it—”
“If they didn’t have it,” repeated Rendall, listless. Rendall closed his eyes and tried his best to relax. The stress had been mounting ever since he learned that the destruction of the core was now imminent. Though he was an elder, he had changed his mind about everything the elders had done and wished for the reign of elders to end. But now, his plan of betraying the other elders had failed. There would be no point in revealing the elders’ hand in this dilemma if everyone was going to die.
“What are you thinking about?” asked Windzer.
Rendall said, with his eyes still shut tight, “Right now, I’m debating in my mind whether or not I can still trust you. I know that you are different than the others. You aren’t a young immortal. You may even be older than me.”
“What a keen observation,” said Windzer slowly. “How did you know?”
Rendall chuckled, opening his eyes. “I was in charge of administration when the world was changed anew. I was the one who researched every single person in order to create his or her role in our new society. However, you were different. You had no records. You had no prior life on our world. I believe you were sent by the real Immortal Alliance to monitor us.”
“Yet, you did nothing about it,” said Windzer with a smirk, “and even came to me for help over the years.”
“You’re right,” grunted Rendall. “Even though you were the most untrustworthy, I find myself continually placing all my faith in you.” His eyes became watery and he leaned back in his chair, fixated on the sky. “I don’t know what to do. I’ve always been good at reading people. I could discern their thoughts, their minds, their intentions, and their desires…I even had all the elders figured out. But you, on the other hand, are different. I always feel like I can trust you, when I know I can’t.”
“That does sound troublesome,” remarked Windzer, sounding amused.
“Tell me, what should I do now?” Rendall said.
“Lead your people to fight this war.”
Rendall looked Windzer in the eye. “Shouldn’t we surrender?”
“I know them and how they think,” said Windzer. “After seeing their current formation, I know for a fact that they are planning on striking us without warning.”
“But then what? Even if we win, what else is left?”
“I have a way to stop the core from explod
ing.”
Rendall’s eyes lit up. “You do?”
“Yes, but it takes time and nothing must interfere. I can’t do it now because the attack will soon begin. If you can just fend them off and hide this from the elders. I can set things straight.”
“But can we really win?” said Rendall, unconvinced by Windzer’s words. “I’ve fought with two of them nearly a year ago. A man and a woman came to us, telling us to stop what we were doing, but the other elders refused to listen. Individually, they were not much stronger than us elders. But still…that would be like fighting an army of elders.”
“I can win,” said Windzer. “If you give me authority over the people, I can lead us to victory. I have a plan that will work against them. But it requires everyone to listen to me.”
Rendall said, half in jest, “If you can really pull off such a miracle, I’ll give you the leadership when we reestablish our government.”
Windzer laughed. “I’d run away if something like that happened. Merdon is much more suited for the task.”
Rendall removed a pendant from around his neck and placed it in Windzer’s hand. “Take this. The symbol of my power. Show it to the chief officers and they will immediately recognize it and will listen to your words as if they were mine.”
Windzer nodded. “Will you be joining me on the battlefield?”
“Yes,” said Rendall. “But I want you to be in complete command.”
“I understand,” said Windzer. “Your trust will be well placed.”
While speeding through the halls, Darek panted for air. Full of urgency, they had been running around the entire time that they were inside the castle. Corridor after corridor, Darek could hardly believe how large the inside of the castle was. What was most worrying was that they had no idea where to find the elders. They had run into the castle blindly, with no sense of direction or idea of where they were supposed to go. However, luckily for them, there was no one else inside the castle. The castle was empty, making their search easier, but still very tiring.
“This is worse than I imagined,” said Sorren. “By the time we find the room of the elders, they’ll probably be long gone.”
“Who cares?” said Darek with short breaths. “The important thing is we’re trying!”
“Save your breath,” growled Azura. “Shut up and keep looking.”
The castle hallways had been constructed like a maze. Each hall looked exactly the same and they were placed in a grid-like fashion. The group ran into many dead ends, much to their dismay.
“I’d hate to live here,” said Darek. “It’s so confusing. I’d probably starve while searching for a kitchen. I probably can’t even find the bathroom in here. That’d be a nightmare.”
“Look,” said Azura, excited. “A red carpet! Maybe that’ll take us to the throne room.”
The three of them followed the path of the red carpet all the way until they found decorated large double doors. The hinges and handles were golden and the wooden door was painted in thick black as contrast. Various red symbols that appeared as hieroglyphics, were embedded on the paint. Though beautiful in design, there was an underlying, nasty odor emanating from it. Darek considered it to be a musty smell.
“This must be it,” said Darek, tidying himself. “Do I look presentable?”
Sorren ignored him and proceeded to push open the doors.
The red carpet reached all the way to the six thrones of the elders, which were situated in a semi-circular manner. Though relatively small in width and length, this throne room stretched high in height, symbolizing that though they are small in number, they have reached the pinnacle of power. The zenith of the room was the highest point in the castle—and quite possibly the highest point of the capital. It was the only point of the city visible from outside of the city walls.
Four elders sat upon their thrones, unmoving.
Darek cleared his throat, took a few steps forward and said, “You may be wondering what we are doing here. We’ve come to stop you from making a big mistake. Tell your people to surrender!”
One of the elders slumped to the ground in a bowing gesture.
Thinking they were appeasing him, Darek said, “No need to bow. We just want peace.”
Azura had a shocked expression on her face. “Darek…” She tugged on his shirt to pull him back a step. “They’re all dead.”
“Indeed they are.” A voice came from behind the thrones. “Now you don’t have to worry. The elders won’t bother you anymore.”
“That voice…” said Darek, surprised. “I know that voice!”
Sorren walked forward and stood before the thrones. “I know that voice as well. Dionus—what are you doing here?”
Dionus came from behind the thrones and bowed slightly. “I’ve come to finish the job.”
“And what job would that be?” asked Sorren.
Dionus chortled, “The execution of Darek.”